Hey Nick! You are the one who get me into shaving with a safety razor many years ago as a teenager. Now, I have gotten more of a beard and keep it short, so I don't shave, but I still very much enjoy your videos! Keep it up man!
Thanks for the great video as usual Nick. I have been wet shaving for years, and in that amount of time I have tried a seemingly endless amount of different blades. In all that time, I always find myself going back to Feather blades. They give me the most comfortable shave every time I use them.
Best blades I've found are the Voskhod. Excellent shave and easy on the skin. Highly recommended, very reasonably priced @ $10 per hundred. Great value.
Totally agree. I use Feather, Nacet, and Astra SP in my rotation. But my all time go-to….is my trusted Voshkie. They’re like Proraso soap….cheap price and work great. Voshkie shavers are kind of a cult group. Ran into one guy who has a 3,000 blade stockpile of them.
I use Van Der Hagen or Cremo shave cream and the added lubrication works very well with my top three blades: Astra, Personna and Wilkinson Sword. I no longer use the shave soap as I have a beard that you can sand wood after 24 hours. Would also recommend to those having tugging or razor burn to add a bit of shave oil to your shave cream. Works like a charm. Love your videos. Thanks for your time and effort.
I got this razor as my first DE, I used the Wilkinson's sword blades once and never used them again, I got some personna blades after finding the included blades was horrible to use, almost put me off DE shaving now I love it!
So crazy how differently different people experience the same product. I just used a Wilkinson Sword blade for the first time in my 7 years of DE shaving, and it was the best shave I have ever gotten. I primarily used Feather before, but not after tonight
You did not used it correctly you must exfoliate, hydrate,warm your skin, put a lot of shaving soap and stretch your skin while shaving. You won't have cuts and will have no irritation.
@@danylbekhoucha6180 to be honest I stopped using the Wilkinson's sword DE razor, I never really got on with it, I got the King c Gillette DE razor in a sale for £5 and I get on with it so much better, even the Wilkinson's sword blades work for me in it. I think the biggest issue I had with the Wilkinson's sword DE razor was it never correctly aligned the blades (at least the one I got), plus there's a central support bar on the blade guard that traps hair when shaving, the King c Gillette has an open blade guard and aligns the blades allot better.
Glad I found your channel! I was given one of these for Christmas by my daughter, and was immediately taken with the item. However, as you rightly say your first experience of the shave is with the provided blades in the set, and despite being very careful indeed I managed to get several nicks and cuts. I put it down to inexperience, and while I have gotten better at it since, it's still not what I'd call a comfortable shave and I have found myself drifting back to cartridges. On checking the packaging (I still have it thankfully), I can see clearly it states the blades are made in Germany. Obviously the German gentleman prefers a much keener blade on his face! I've now bought some new blades (Boots own brand here in the UK) and I'm hoping my next shaves are much more comfortable. Thanks for the heads up!
If possible, I'd be interested in seeing you do a shave with this razor, a permasharp blade, and your choice of soap/cream. I'm out of work for a month for medical reasons and love watching your videos. Keep em' coming!
H Nick. I bought this razor a month ago as my first razor to get into DE shaving. Agree the WS blades were bad. I bought a sample pack of blades with 5 different brands (Feather, Astra, Parker, Merkur and Derby). I really rate the Merkur blades. I have had 5 shaves on that blade and it is still good. Love your vids.. Cheers from Sydney.. AJ
Great video, NIck! My first DE razor was the Van Der Hagen which came with Van Der Hagen blades; needless to say, my first couple of shaves were horrible! I searched for a tutorial on RUclips, and the one i found on the VDH razor specifically advised all users to "ditch the VDH blades and get ANY other blade!". I found some Gillette Platinums and the rest was history. Thanks for sharing with your audience, and have a great weekend!
Damn this is honestly reassuring to hear.. got the WS and it seemed just ok, but I got some Astras to start on next. Bought a 100 pack though so I hope they're alright.
I got a Van Der Hagen DE razor and shave kit making a lather came to me like second nature and im going on my 4th day of shaving and no razor burn and no irritation like i get with a cartridge razor
I have a thick and very tough beard. Without stropping/honing, even the sharpest blades, like the Japanese ‘Feather’ don’t yield more than two-three shaves for me. In my opinion, the German Wilkinsons are very good quality blades, especially for the first couple of shaves. Thereafter, what I do is strop the blade on an old-fashioned leather/canvas strop (mine is a DOVO PRIMA from Germany) or on an old pair of jeans specifically designated for the purpose. I generally will run the blade against the direction of the cutting edge about 15-20 times on each side. After this the blade performs phenomenally well, and stays super sharp for several shaves. When it dulls, I just repeat the process. With stropping, I can get as many as twenty to thirty very comfortable and close shaves from each blade. The German Wilkinsons are excellent, though I do agree that they are less sharp than some other premium blades on the market. So, if you wish to enhance their sharpness and overall performance try stropping them (there are videos on RUclips that show you how). Works for me - hope it does for you.
For the price of DE razors why would you strop a DE blade? I’m confused unless you’re talking about a straight razor… I can’t see stropping DE blades you get for pennies on the dollar. When it gets dull just change it
Great video, Nick! Please keep them coming. I've watched many of your videos and have enjoyed them, including the first video of you using this razor. I was disappointed to hear of your bad experience with the German WS blade, because it was my first favorite and might still be (definitely top 3). Blade selection is very personal and subjective, based upon beard coarseness and skin type, so YMMV, as many folks in the wet shaving community have stated. I suggest folks try sampler packs to find which blade or blades are right for them. Initial cost per blade is higher, but waste will be less when you toss blades that don't work for you. Two sellers that allow you to choose individual blades are Try A Blade and RBC; there may be others. They also have predetermined sample packs with one or two blades of each variety. Some other sellers have the predetermined 1 or 2 blade samplers, too. Buying two of each variety is suggested in case you get a dud. I like Lab Blues like you; 7 O'clock Sharpedge (yellow) and a few Lord blades with Big Ben and Silver Stars my favorites from Lord. Astra SP and Voskhod tore me up, but I will try them again at some point. I've been trying several blades with same soap to compare apples to apples. I'm up to 16 different blades and have about 25 more to go, so my favorites are likely to change. I hope this gives others some ideas. Thanks again for your videos and expertise.
Nick, you and Kensurfs are the 2 people that really got me into wet shaving and enthusiastic about it. Thank you for always being a calm, patient and informative reviewer. I like how you take your time and explain techniques, equipment and the reasons for what you do. Do you have a "go-to" razor and blade combo that's your every day? Mine is either the DE89 or the Heritage and i use PolSilver blades. Thanks again for all you do!
Nick.. i saw your list of Gear of the Year and your list of faves, i was unsure if this was updated to current choices. Sorry for confusion and thank you.
Better facial expression this time...so funny with the Wilkinson last time.....Anyway , I got the Rockwell 6C & its awesome....started on 2 now on 3....I retired my Parker 26C for this...I'm sure 4 would be like the Merkur but I'll stick to the #3 as i dont need to shave for work everyday (retired)....Keep up the good work!!!
Such a great cream. Probably the best mass produced tube shaving cream, another one if you don't have it is the maca root from the body shop in a tub. Cheap and amazing, their after shave lotion (which is almost the consistency of hair gel out of the bottle) is also quite good, a little goes a long way and it's mentholated so it's very cooling.
Great shave! I agree in regards to the German made Wilkinson blades I think it was kensurfs and Paul H films who mentioned that they were not up to the mark. Don't quote me on that though as my memory is not that great having watched more than my fair share of RUclips shaving videos!
Great Video Nick, I just got home my Wilkinson Sword Butterfly Razor with a 10 pack Wilkinson Sword Blades, love the feel and balance of this razor, it is not as aggressive as my Parker 96R, I´d say it is on the par of my Bluebeard Schimitar Razor. Being a new razor I was cautious and used my Personna Blade for the first shaveing......SMOOOOTH! like shaving with my Bluebeard. I hope it performs as well with the DERBY EXTRA BLADES that are comming. I´ll try the Wilkinson Blades, maybe they are good I will find out soon. I hope your message about seperate judgeing of Razor and Blade finds it´s way to the New-by Wet Shavers.! A bad shave can really put one off getting the best shave in the world.
@@coffeegrinder6319 exactly the same for me brother. The India ones are a no go for me. The German ones were my first go to that I bought a 100 pack of. I find then to be a standard of good quality. Sharp and smooth, not overly sharp and not the smoothest if that makes any sense. I find them to hit the middle of all the marks I like in a blade.
I ordered the German wilkinson's based on a lot of positive feedback from people that I consider experienced. I had the exact same experience in both of my safety razors, tugging and razor burn. Interested to see in the comments what everyone's favorite blade of 2020. I am really liking the Gillette Nacets at the moment.
100% agree! I bought that razor just to try a twist to open. I tried the blade they supplied, and absolutely hated it! Rough as hell. Would also love to know what the blade gap is.
I recently found a box of Wilkinson blades in my drawer and decided to give them a try. I have no idea where or when they were made but that was the worst shave I have had in months!
strange, my best shave so far was with the german wilkinson sword. do you figure it was because of variations between batches ? or just the general YMMV stuff ? Thanks for the review.
Hi Nick. Great video. I can see that lather for 2nd and 3rd pass is rather thin. Do you have any tips for face latherers to build a lather for 3 passes with a boar brush?
I like the German blades, I find them sharp though and one has to tread carefully, especially on the first shave with them. In the Wilkinson Sword classic razor, which is mild, I find they work well.
Yo Nick , I'm a fan of Viking Blade (Odin and Augustus) would love to hear your review of them , also that Norelco one blade , I've been using that on my neck everyday lately and though it's not as close , the convienience factor is huge , my girl even bought one for the legs
I got this razor for £10 with the 5 blades. Was getting stuck all the time, but I was only using bar soap. The blade didn't seem that good though. I'll swap the blades to something else.
It'd be nice to see you review the Rex Ambassador. If you don't have one, I'm sure there are several people that would let you borrow theirs. I have one if you need it. Take care.
Hey Nick, kinda off topic but have you ever shaved with a shavette by any chance? Just wondering, I am thinking of starting with it before a straight razor.
Hi Nick, Thanks for the gfreat reviews. I live in the UK and find it difficult to get hold of Personna Lab Blue blades. Have you tried the more common Personna Platinum Super stainless blade? Which blade do you think is closest to the Lab Blue?
I don’t blame you.......I used to use Wilkinson sword blades there horrible it came a time when I was on holiday and I cut my face that bad it was very deep it was like a slice on my face from that day on I dumped Wilkinson sword razors and was paranoid with DE razors. But after a couple of years I came back to DE razors since then I knew you can get much better de blades and from that day on I use either treet blades or Gillette nacet and I couldn’t be happier with the smooth results and my shaving life was very enjoyable
Totally agree! I tried Wilkinson sword blades (bought a 5 pack in a black container) used each blade no more than 2 times before they started to pull/tuggle , absolutely terrible! Personally, I really enjoy Astra and Feather blades. :)
I have found that most blades that came with razors are "junk", and have usually went back to Astra blades as my "default" after trying something else. But a good while ago, I bought a "Weishi" to have as an travel razor, the razor was okay, but to my surprise, there came a bunch of Dorco blades with it, and those are the some of the best blades I have ever used, very smooth shave! I tend to be a bit aggressive sometimes though and go a long while before shaving at times, so I need to use an aggressive razor or an shavette, so it could just be my style, but I do like Feather and Astra so who knows. I have often looked up reviews for blades before I try them, but what I have learned after that experience, do not do listen to others at all (to a degree of course), just try them anyway, sometimes what other people think is awful could be great for you.
Thanks for the advice. I've only been a DE shaver for about a week and a half. Although, I've been shaving for 36 years. Mostly cartridge, and disposables. I'm glad that I switched
@@caninedrill_instructor5861 Thanks. Looking at my "tip" now, in hindsight, I could have worded me a bit different or a bit milder. But the better I get at shaving the better the shave got with any type of blade, or razor. Especially the better I got at lathering soap, the smoother it gets. So my best tip is probably better with too much water than too little. I am only 37 years old though, but I have DE shaved for some years, and I will probably never turn back to any other form of "modern" shaving.
A video that I and possibly others might be interested in seeing would be a blade comparison. Maybe a handful or more of blades compared. For example, if I am currently using shark blades with success and want to try different blades that might be comparable. Maybe 3 groups of sharpness and smoothness. Idk just thought. Great vid
You are a big Personna man , which do you like better , the med preps , or the lab blues ? I think you used the lab blues on this shave . Glad your back , beautiful lather by the way !
Hey wet shaving enthusiasts, any tips for razor bumps & ingrown hair on my neck? Tried a few blades in this razor, plenty soaps and creams, aftershaves, pre-shaves, been working on my technique for 2 years. I still can't get razor bumps/ingrown hair free shave.
Let me see if I can cobble together a response that’s not too patronizing lol. Shave only with and across the grain, if you must change your approach. Sketch out which way your hair grows to give yourself a guide while you shave. J hooking can be helpful for stubborn areas but I generally just recommend: use as light of pressure as you can to cut the hair and most importantly use less soap (20-30 second load) and MORE water in your lather (2-4 tsp). I exclusively bowl lather now because of what you’re experiencing and the fact I have so much more control over the consistency of the lather. If the soap is too thick you won’t get the same amount of protection and slickness and too high of a concentration of soap can cause irritation and accidents. You want the soap to shine and have a lot of elasticity. I hope that helps! Take care!
Hey nick .. one question what’s up with the blue t shirt ?? And have you try the sloc razor from Italian barber also $16.99 you can pick handles the majority of people pick the barber handle I pick the bulldog handle but try it out it’s a mild razor and since you love the Merkur 34c I know you will enjoy the sloc ..
Hi Nick very interesting video. I have been interested in buying a Semogue brush but cannot make my mind up 620 or 830 would appreciate your opinion. Interested with your opinion on the razor I was put off as it is so cheap. Many Thanks for your time and trouble making the video.
Nick, I very rearely ever use the included blades. Sometimes they are no-name blades. I use Voskhod, and Dorco! Need to get some Personna, Feather, and Astra blades. BTW, do you know why you are not supposed to wipe Voskhod blades?
Nathaniel, All of the makers of modern coated DE razor blades say that you should not strop (wipe) them. The claim is that the coating is thin and fragile. Once the coating is removed, the blade will perform differently. Uncoated blades are generally considered to be less smooth, and less resistant to rusting. The coating on Voskhod blades is PTFE (teflon). This may be an easier coating to damage than a metallic coating, such as platinum or chrome.
@@ivermec-tin666I personally do. The china made blades seem a bit harsh when compared to the India blades. The India made blades have offer a more consistent performance. Never had any issues with them.
@@robanderson5153 Thanks for sharing your experience. For those who don't know, the Indian manufactured Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades may be purchased in a box of 50, which they market as a "saloon pack". At this point, all of the boxes of 100, appear to be made in China. The German manufactured blades are labeled as "Wilkinson Sword" blades, with no Gillette reference in the name.
Get you some sample blades and try different ones. These are fairly cheap and they ship quickly and free. If you wish to spend more, Amazon has quite a few different sampler packs to choose from. 40 Excellent Quality Double Edge Razor Blades Sampler (8 different brands) www.amazon.com/dp/B07PKDJP1F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fvLoEbE0MZ7J8
Shane, What Michael Tomlinson wrote, I agree. The Astra SP blade was the first blade I found I liked enough to buy a large box of. They are very economical, consistent quality, sharper and smoother than average. The downside for me is that I can only get 4 shaves out of them. Other blades that are popular in the DE shaving community are Gillette Nacet, Perma Sharp, and Israeli Personna Reds (made in Israel, and packed in Red tucks of 5 for the USA, or packed in Blue plastic and cardboard tucks of 10 for the EU). These are all relatively sharp blades. IMO, sharper than the Astra SP's. Personna Blue made in USA are generally considered to be less sharp and less smooth than the Israeli Red Personna blades. Voskhod's are a favorite of many. If your beard is soft, you might like the Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades made in India or China. If it is course, then you will probably prefer a blade that is sharper. How would you describe your beard and your skin sensitivity? What other blades have you tried? What kind of razor are you using? And what is your shaving soap of choice? Are you a 1, 2, or 3 pass shaver? Daily, or every few days? Blades are a YMMV thing; but if your hardware and beard and skin are like mine, I can share what works for me. My skin is average sensitivity, beard is coarser than average. I shave 2 passes with a Gillette Slim Adjustable using Palmolive shave stick. My favorite blades to date are PolSilvers (unfortunately no longer manufactured), Perma Sharp, Gillette Nacet, and Astra SP's; in that order of descending preference. I have many blades that I have yet to try out. The Gillette Silver Blue put the hurt on me. The Treat Classic was tuggy for me.
Shane Eriksen Astra was my number one blade, but Gillette Platinum blades are now my number one blade, smooth sharp and can get 4 smooth shaves from one blade, YMMV
A brand I've never tried. Astras, Rapiras and Personna blues are my go tos. Astras are definitely at the top, Personnas are smooth but don't last as long as the Astras and don't seem as sharp. The Rapiras are a good middle ground between the other 2. Hopefully if the blades are that awful it doesn't turn people off DE shaving.
How does this razor compare to the micro touch one? I saw that you reviewed that one back in the day. I have the one and want to find a better razor without spending lots of money. Thanks!
Nice shave, hey I noticed when you leaned into the cam that you sounded much clearer. I haven’t noticed this before but I think your sound quality would really be used with an external mic or a plug in mic pointed at you. Other not I have a Rockwell 6c that the blade gap is exposed a lot on one side and less on the other and it gives terrible shaves I didn’t find this till the 4th shave because I forgot to look. One would expect from a high praised razor it wouldn’t have that kind of issue. Go figure.
One thing I like about the Lab Blues is that they're a little more rigid than most DE blades, which makes for less chatter in most DE razors and a shave more like what you'd get from an old style single edge blade.
Hey Nick! You are the one who get me into shaving with a safety razor many years ago as a teenager. Now, I have gotten more of a beard and keep it short, so I don't shave, but I still very much enjoy your videos! Keep it up man!
Same here!!
Same here but I still shave lol!
Same here, but I still shave 4 times week hehe
Can you clean double edge safety razor with dettol
Nice Shave Nick , it is always great to see one of your shaving videos , reviews and opinions 👍
Thank you. You always create a beautiful lather. We are grateful. I hope Ken is watching.
I learned to DE shave three years ago watching your videos/reviews. You do an awesome job! Thank You!
Well done Nick. So often the blade makes the razor. Great having you making videos again. Thanks, Zac.
Thanks for the great video as usual Nick. I have been wet shaving for years, and in that amount of time I have tried a seemingly endless amount of different blades. In all that time, I always find myself going back to Feather blades. They give me the most comfortable shave every time I use them.
Best blades I've found are the Voskhod. Excellent shave and easy on the skin. Highly recommended, very reasonably priced @ $10 per hundred. Great value.
Totally agree. I use Feather, Nacet, and Astra SP in my rotation. But my all time go-to….is my trusted Voshkie. They’re like Proraso soap….cheap price and work great. Voshkie shavers are kind of a cult group. Ran into one guy who has a 3,000 blade stockpile of them.
Hey Nick, You really remind me of Max Payne in the first game! Such a great content. I'm enjoying your videos hope you're doing well!
I use Van Der Hagen or Cremo shave cream and the added lubrication works very well with my top three blades: Astra, Personna and Wilkinson Sword. I no longer use the shave soap as I have a beard that you can sand wood after 24 hours. Would also recommend to those having tugging or razor burn to add a bit of shave oil to your shave cream. Works like a charm. Love your videos. Thanks for your time and effort.
Great video Nick. So glad to see you back!
I got this razor as my first DE, I used the Wilkinson's sword blades once and never used them again, I got some personna blades after finding the included blades was horrible to use, almost put me off DE shaving now I love it!
So crazy how differently different people experience the same product. I just used a Wilkinson Sword blade for the first time in my 7 years of DE shaving, and it was the best shave I have ever gotten. I primarily used Feather before, but not after tonight
You did not used it correctly you must exfoliate, hydrate,warm your skin, put a lot of shaving soap and stretch your skin while shaving. You won't have cuts and will have no irritation.
@@danylbekhoucha6180 to be honest I stopped using the Wilkinson's sword DE razor, I never really got on with it, I got the King c Gillette DE razor in a sale for £5 and I get on with it so much better, even the Wilkinson's sword blades work for me in it.
I think the biggest issue I had with the Wilkinson's sword DE razor was it never correctly aligned the blades (at least the one I got), plus there's a central support bar on the blade guard that traps hair when shaving, the King c Gillette has an open blade guard and aligns the blades allot better.
Just received my Wilkinson TTO razor, can't wait to try it out...
Glad I found your channel! I was given one of these for Christmas by my daughter, and was immediately taken with the item. However, as you rightly say your first experience of the shave is with the provided blades in the set, and despite being very careful indeed I managed to get several nicks and cuts. I put it down to inexperience, and while I have gotten better at it since, it's still not what I'd call a comfortable shave and I have found myself drifting back to cartridges. On checking the packaging (I still have it thankfully), I can see clearly it states the blades are made in Germany. Obviously the German gentleman prefers a much keener blade on his face! I've now bought some new blades (Boots own brand here in the UK) and I'm hoping my next shaves are much more comfortable. Thanks for the heads up!
Nice job as always.
I have this razor and it's great. You're correct about the blades that come with it.
Keep em coming Nick! Loving the regular content
If possible, I'd be interested in seeing you do a shave with this razor, a permasharp blade, and your choice of soap/cream. I'm out of work for a month for medical reasons and love watching your videos. Keep em' coming!
Thanks for the heads up on the Wilkinson Sword (Germany) Blades.
To mitigate the razor slippage in hand, swipe your fingers across an alum block just before you begin shaving. Works wonders for your grip.
I'm pretty sure that was originally Nick's technique.
My brush prep. preliminary is like you showed here, but I squeeze the water out, without any twisting.
He's back!...much missed...
No
H Nick. I bought this razor a month ago as my first razor to get into DE shaving. Agree the WS blades were bad. I bought a sample pack of blades with 5 different brands (Feather, Astra, Parker, Merkur and Derby). I really rate the Merkur blades. I have had 5 shaves on that blade and it is still good. Love your vids.. Cheers from Sydney.. AJ
Great video, NIck! My first DE razor was the Van Der Hagen which came with Van Der Hagen blades; needless to say, my first couple of shaves were horrible! I searched for a tutorial on RUclips, and the one i found on the VDH razor specifically advised all users to "ditch the VDH blades and get ANY other blade!". I found some Gillette Platinums and the rest was history. Thanks for sharing with your audience, and have a great weekend!
I absolutely love my Wilkinson razor and choose it over my more expensive razors. Huge quality for the money. Weight and handle length are terrific.
Damn this is honestly reassuring to hear.. got the WS and it seemed just ok, but I got some Astras to start on next. Bought a 100 pack though so I hope they're alright.
I got a Van Der Hagen DE razor and shave kit making a lather came to me like second nature and im going on my 4th day of shaving and no razor burn and no irritation like i get with a cartridge razor
I have a thick and very tough beard. Without stropping/honing, even the sharpest blades, like the Japanese ‘Feather’ don’t yield more than two-three shaves for me. In my opinion, the German Wilkinsons are very good quality blades, especially for the first couple of shaves. Thereafter, what I do is strop the blade on an old-fashioned leather/canvas strop (mine is a DOVO PRIMA from Germany) or on an old pair of jeans specifically designated for the purpose. I generally will run the blade against the direction of the cutting edge about 15-20 times on each side. After this the blade performs phenomenally well, and stays super sharp for several shaves. When it dulls, I just repeat the process. With stropping, I can get as many as twenty to thirty very comfortable and close shaves from each blade. The German Wilkinsons are excellent, though I do agree that they are less sharp than some other premium blades on the market. So, if you wish to enhance their sharpness and overall performance try stropping them (there are videos on RUclips that show you how). Works for me - hope it does for you.
For the price of DE razors why would you strop a DE blade? I’m confused unless you’re talking about a straight razor… I can’t see stropping DE blades you get for pennies on the dollar. When it gets dull just change it
Hi Nick. I have this razor and have never looked back. As you`ve said quality at a very reasonable price. You can`t go wrong. Thanks for the video.👍
Looks like the early gillette supper speed prior to the flaretip superspeeds. 54 or earlier.
Just shaved with that razor and the blades it comes with today. Had same thing happen to me plus cut me to shreds on my 3rd pass lol.
Great video, Nick! Please keep them coming. I've watched many of your videos and have enjoyed them, including the first video of you using this razor. I was disappointed to hear of your bad experience with the German WS blade, because it was my first favorite and might still be (definitely top 3). Blade selection is very personal and subjective, based upon beard coarseness and skin type, so YMMV, as many folks in the wet shaving community have stated. I suggest folks try sampler packs to find which blade or blades are right for them. Initial cost per blade is higher, but waste will be less when you toss blades that don't work for you. Two sellers that allow you to choose individual blades are Try A Blade and RBC; there may be others. They also have predetermined sample packs with one or two blades of each variety. Some other sellers have the predetermined 1 or 2 blade samplers, too. Buying two of each variety is suggested in case you get a dud. I like Lab Blues like you; 7 O'clock Sharpedge (yellow) and a few Lord blades with Big Ben and Silver Stars my favorites from Lord. Astra SP and Voskhod tore me up, but I will try them again at some point. I've been trying several blades with same soap to compare apples to apples. I'm up to 16 different blades and have about 25 more to go, so my favorites are likely to change. I hope this gives others some ideas. Thanks again for your videos and expertise.
Not to beat a dead horse, but glad to have you back Dr. Nick!
Have you tried the Proraso Pre Shave Balm? It's amazing, I use the Sensitive version every time I shave.
Arrow 53 that’s the best, I use the whole proraso white line.
Nick please come back!!!
Nick, you and Kensurfs are the 2 people that really got me into wet shaving and enthusiastic about it. Thank you for always being a calm, patient and informative reviewer. I like how you take your time and explain techniques, equipment and the reasons for what you do. Do you have a "go-to" razor and blade combo that's your every day? Mine is either the DE89 or the Heritage and i use PolSilver blades. Thanks again for all you do!
Nick.. i saw your list of Gear of the Year and your list of faves, i was unsure if this was updated to current choices. Sorry for confusion and thank you.
Better facial expression this time...so funny with the Wilkinson last time.....Anyway , I got the Rockwell 6C & its awesome....started on 2 now on 3....I retired my Parker 26C for this...I'm sure 4 would be like the Merkur but I'll stick to the #3 as i dont need to shave for work everyday (retired)....Keep up the good work!!!
Hey Nick. Can you make an updated top soaps video?
I had the same experience. Put Personna and is great
I bought the nivea shave cream and it is AMAZING, very slick, very comfortable, smells great👏👍👌
Such a great cream. Probably the best mass produced tube shaving cream, another one if you don't have it is the maca root from the body shop in a tub. Cheap and amazing, their after shave lotion (which is almost the consistency of hair gel out of the bottle) is also quite good, a little goes a long way and it's mentholated so it's very cooling.
@@icalexander so true man, i LOVE nevia products😍😍
Where did you find it ??
@@MichaelBlocksom in a supermarket
Hey Nick, thanks for your video. Bye bye from Italy.
Great shave! I agree in regards to the German made Wilkinson blades I think it was kensurfs and Paul H films who mentioned that they were not up to the mark. Don't quote me on that though as my memory is not that great having watched more than my fair share of RUclips shaving videos!
Great Video Nick, I just got home my Wilkinson Sword Butterfly Razor with a 10 pack Wilkinson Sword Blades, love the feel and balance of this razor, it is not as aggressive as my Parker 96R, I´d say it is on the par of my Bluebeard Schimitar Razor. Being a new razor I was cautious and used my Personna Blade for the first shaveing......SMOOOOTH! like shaving with my Bluebeard. I hope it performs as well with the DERBY EXTRA BLADES that are comming. I´ll try the Wilkinson Blades, maybe they are good I will find out soon. I hope your message about seperate judgeing of Razor and Blade finds it´s way to the New-by Wet Shavers.! A bad shave can really put one off getting the best shave in the world.
I love the WS blades but only in a 34c. Next up is the permasharps. Always post shave is the OSAGE RUB. It’ll advise if you got too close ;)
You did it against the drain in the first pass!
Hey Nick, had the same problem. Almost gave up using a DE
I agree, it’s a great razor for the money but I too swapped out the blades to my favourites which are the derby premium range.
When I change blades I also give the razor a going over with a soft toothbrush under warm water to remove any soap / hair residue
It's cool to see your thoughts on razors. Especially when it comes to the neck area. Mine is sensitive too. That's what makes or breaks a razor for me
I love the German wilkenson sword blades!
I love the German Wilky as well. The ones from India tear up my face.
Blake Langley they work nicely for me as well - Pretty standard blades
@@coffeegrinder6319 exactly the same for me brother. The India ones are a no go for me. The German ones were my first go to that I bought a 100 pack of. I find then to be a standard of good quality. Sharp and smooth, not overly sharp and not the smoothest if that makes any sense. I find them to hit the middle of all the marks I like in a blade.
11:02 who did you mention? I didn't get it in the video.
I ordered the German wilkinson's based on a lot of positive feedback from people that I consider experienced. I had the exact same experience in both of my safety razors, tugging and razor burn. Interested to see in the comments what everyone's favorite blade of 2020. I am really liking the Gillette Nacets at the moment.
Thanks Nick. 👍🏼🇺🇸
Great video!! Would be nice if you did a weekly video..even if its 3 min.enjoy your videos so much.
Those German Wilkinson blades are fantastic for me
I love shaving with a safety razor!!!
Can you do a rewiew of the Karve razor?
I've always had good shaves with the German Wilkinson Sword blades but then everyone is different. I do like the razor for sure though.
I love Lord blades, smooth and sharp in my R41.
Which Personna blade was used?
I actually love the Wilkinson blades. Work great for me.
100% agree! I bought that razor just to try a twist to open. I tried the blade they supplied, and absolutely hated it! Rough as hell. Would also love to know what the blade gap is.
I recently found a box of Wilkinson blades in my drawer and decided to give them a try. I have no idea where or when they were made but that was the worst shave I have had in months!
dioni82 those blades are bad
How can u tell the difference between the 2 types of wilkinson sword blades?
One says made in India and the other days made in Germany… the India made blades are better I’ve heard. Look for the saloon pack Wilkinson
strange, my best shave so far was with the german wilkinson sword. do you figure it was because of variations between batches ? or just the general YMMV stuff ? Thanks for the review.
Definitely YMMV regarding blades- 10 people would give you 20 different opinions.
HI can i use the Feather Razor Blades in the Wilkinson Sword Safety Razor do they fit ?
Hi Nick. Great video. I can see that lather for 2nd and 3rd pass is rather thin. Do you have any tips for face latherers to build a lather for 3 passes with a boar brush?
Boar brushes for me are always lather hogs… for some reason I need to load more with my semogue 830 boar brush compared to badger or synthetic
Hi Nick can this razor also use feather blades ? I was looking online and feather blades came up as the best for closer shaves
I like the German blades, I find them sharp though and one has to tread carefully, especially on the first shave with them. In the Wilkinson Sword classic razor, which is mild, I find they work well.
Yo Nick , I'm a fan of Viking Blade (Odin and Augustus) would love to hear your review of them , also that Norelco one blade , I've been using that on my neck everyday lately and though it's not as close , the convienience factor is huge , my girl even bought one for the legs
holy sh*t, you are alive
I got this razor for £10 with the 5 blades. Was getting stuck all the time, but I was only using bar soap. The blade didn't seem that good though. I'll swap the blades to something else.
It'd be nice to see you review the Rex Ambassador. If you don't have one, I'm sure there are several people that would let you borrow theirs. I have one if you need it. Take care.
Hey Nick, kinda off topic but have you ever shaved with a shavette by any chance? Just wondering, I am thinking of starting with it before a straight razor.
Hi Nick,
Thanks for the gfreat reviews.
I live in the UK and find it difficult to get hold of Personna Lab Blue blades. Have you tried the more common Personna Platinum Super stainless blade? Which blade do you think is closest to the Lab Blue?
Persona med prep is better than lab blues and with better quality control. It’s probably the perfect blade for sharpness/smoothness
I don’t blame you.......I used to use Wilkinson sword blades there horrible it came a time when I was on holiday and I cut my face that bad it was very deep it was like a slice on my face from that day on I dumped Wilkinson sword razors and was paranoid with DE razors. But after a couple of years I came back to DE razors since then I knew you can get much better de blades and from that day on I use either treet blades or Gillette nacet and I couldn’t be happier with the smooth results and my shaving life was very enjoyable
Bought this razor with discount for 7$! Best value for money razor buy ever!
Shave gear 2019!!!! And follow up on the Gillette slim 🙏🏼 please!!
Wilkinson sword blades work great for me.
Totally agree! I tried Wilkinson sword blades (bought a 5 pack in a black container) used each blade no more than 2 times before they started to pull/tuggle , absolutely terrible!
Personally, I really enjoy Astra and Feather blades. :)
Nick do you think this razor would be 'fine' for a seasoned on wet shaving?
I have found that most blades that came with razors are "junk", and have usually went back to Astra blades as my "default" after trying something else.
But a good while ago, I bought a "Weishi" to have as an travel razor, the razor was okay, but to my surprise, there came a bunch of Dorco blades with it, and those are the some of the best blades I have ever used, very smooth shave!
I tend to be a bit aggressive sometimes though and go a long while before shaving at times, so I need to use an aggressive razor or an shavette, so it could just be my style, but I do like Feather and Astra so who knows.
I have often looked up reviews for blades before I try them, but what I have learned after that experience, do not do listen to others at all (to a degree of course), just try them anyway, sometimes what other people think is awful could be great for you.
Thanks for the advice.
I've only been a DE shaver for about a week and a half.
Although, I've been shaving for 36 years. Mostly cartridge, and disposables. I'm glad that I switched
@@caninedrill_instructor5861 Thanks. Looking at my "tip" now, in hindsight, I could have worded me a bit different or a bit milder.
But the better I get at shaving the better the shave got with any type of blade, or razor. Especially the better I got at lathering soap, the smoother it gets. So my best tip is probably better with too much water than too little.
I am only 37 years old though, but I have DE shaved for some years, and I will probably never turn back to any other form of "modern" shaving.
I always wondered how this gear performs....change the blade...got it! Egypt Crowns bro!!
A video that I and possibly others might be interested in seeing would be a blade comparison. Maybe a handful or more of blades compared. For example, if I am currently using shark blades with success and want to try different blades that might be comparable. Maybe 3 groups of sharpness and smoothness. Idk just thought. Great vid
You are a big Personna man , which do you like better , the med preps , or the lab blues ? I think you used the lab blues on this shave . Glad your back , beautiful lather by the way !
Hey Nick, have you ever tried Treet blades?
They're by far my favorite, persona and derby blades cut me relentlessly!
My everyday go blade it Treet Platinum. It works well for me in a 34c and Rockwell 6C
Yes the Indian made Wilkinson blades are good!
Hey wet shaving enthusiasts, any tips for razor bumps & ingrown hair on my neck? Tried a few blades in this razor, plenty soaps and creams, aftershaves, pre-shaves, been working on my technique for 2 years. I still can't get razor bumps/ingrown hair free shave.
Let me see if I can cobble together a response that’s not too patronizing lol.
Shave only with and across the grain, if you must change your approach. Sketch out which way your hair grows to give yourself a guide while you shave. J hooking can be helpful for stubborn areas but I generally just recommend: use as light of pressure as you can to cut the hair and most importantly use less soap (20-30 second load) and MORE water in your lather (2-4 tsp). I exclusively bowl lather now because of what you’re experiencing and the fact I have so much more control over the consistency of the lather. If the soap is too thick you won’t get the same amount of protection and slickness and too high of a concentration of soap can cause irritation and accidents. You want the soap to shine and have a lot of elasticity. I hope that helps! Take care!
@@seff2318 Thanks for your help! I'm very carefull with following the grain and I also watch the pressure. I will try to improve my lather tho!
@@jakubskyba7508 you’re welcome :) I forgot to mention to try switching to cold water for shaving. That’s what really changed the game for me.
@@seff2318 I tried that a week ago, my skin is still healing from the damage...
Hey nick .. one question what’s up with the blue t shirt ?? And have you try the sloc razor from Italian barber also $16.99 you can pick handles the majority of people pick the barber handle I pick the bulldog handle but try it out it’s a mild razor and since you love the Merkur 34c I know you will enjoy the sloc ..
Hi Nick very interesting video. I have been interested in buying a Semogue brush but cannot make my mind up 620 or 830 would appreciate your opinion.
Interested with your opinion on the razor I was put off as it is so cheap.
Many Thanks for your time and trouble making the video.
What is tge name of man that Nick said makes a really good leather? I just cant hear that its... Shavig. Someone knows?
Rudds shaving
@@patmorrical8122 thanks! :)
Nick, I very rearely ever use the included blades. Sometimes they are no-name blades. I use Voskhod, and Dorco! Need to get some Personna, Feather, and Astra blades. BTW, do you know why you are not supposed to wipe Voskhod blades?
Nathaniel, All of the makers of modern coated DE razor blades say that you should not strop (wipe) them. The claim is that the coating is thin and fragile. Once the coating is removed, the blade will perform differently. Uncoated blades are generally considered to be less smooth, and less resistant to rusting. The coating on Voskhod blades is PTFE (teflon). This may be an easier coating to damage than a metallic coating, such as platinum or chrome.
The Wilkinson sword blades from India are great (in my opinion). One of my favorite blades, it is my daily.
Rob, Do you find that the Indian made Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades perform differently than the Chinese made blades?
@@ivermec-tin666I personally do. The china made blades seem a bit harsh when compared to the India blades. The India made blades have offer a more consistent performance. Never had any issues with them.
@@robanderson5153 Thanks for sharing your experience.
For those who don't know, the Indian manufactured Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades may be purchased in a box of 50, which they market as a "saloon pack". At this point, all of the boxes of 100, appear to be made in China.
The German manufactured blades are labeled as "Wilkinson Sword" blades, with no Gillette reference in the name.
Anybody else use an Astra SP blade? Been my go to for awhile, any recommendations on other blades I should consider so I’m not stuck to just one?
Get you some sample blades and try different ones. These are fairly cheap and they ship quickly and free. If you wish to spend more, Amazon has quite a few different sampler packs to choose from.
40 Excellent Quality Double Edge Razor Blades Sampler (8 different brands) www.amazon.com/dp/B07PKDJP1F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fvLoEbE0MZ7J8
Shane, What Michael Tomlinson wrote, I agree. The Astra SP blade was the first blade I found I liked enough to buy a large box of. They are very economical, consistent quality, sharper and smoother than average. The downside for me is that I can only get 4 shaves out of them.
Other blades that are popular in the DE shaving community are Gillette Nacet, Perma Sharp, and Israeli Personna Reds (made in Israel, and packed in Red tucks of 5 for the USA, or packed in Blue plastic and cardboard tucks of 10 for the EU). These are all relatively sharp blades. IMO, sharper than the Astra SP's. Personna Blue made in USA are generally considered to be less sharp and less smooth than the Israeli Red Personna blades. Voskhod's are a favorite of many. If your beard is soft, you might like the Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades made in India or China. If it is course, then you will probably prefer a blade that is sharper.
How would you describe your beard and your skin sensitivity? What other blades have you tried? What kind of razor are you using? And what is your shaving soap of choice? Are you a 1, 2, or 3 pass shaver? Daily, or every few days? Blades are a YMMV thing; but if your hardware and beard and skin are like mine, I can share what works for me. My skin is average sensitivity, beard is coarser than average. I shave 2 passes with a Gillette Slim Adjustable using Palmolive shave stick. My favorite blades to date are PolSilvers (unfortunately no longer manufactured), Perma Sharp, Gillette Nacet, and Astra SP's; in that order of descending preference.
I have many blades that I have yet to try out. The Gillette Silver Blue put the hurt on me. The Treat Classic was tuggy for me.
Shane Eriksen Astra was my number one blade, but Gillette Platinum blades are now my number one blade, smooth sharp and can get 4 smooth shaves from one blade, YMMV
not too sharp not too dull pretty smooth overall
A brand I've never tried. Astras, Rapiras and Personna blues are my go tos. Astras are definitely at the top, Personnas are smooth but don't last as long as the Astras and don't seem as sharp. The Rapiras are a good middle ground between the other 2. Hopefully if the blades are that awful it doesn't turn people off DE shaving.
How does this razor compare to the micro touch one? I saw that you reviewed that one back in the day. I have the one and want to find a better razor without spending lots of money. Thanks!
Any tips on shaving right under the lips? that's where I have a hard time....going over and over, thanks!
Nice shave, hey I noticed when you leaned into the cam that you sounded much clearer. I haven’t noticed this before but I think your sound quality would really be used with an external mic or a plug in mic pointed at you.
Other not I have a Rockwell 6c that the blade gap is exposed a lot on one side and less on the other and it gives terrible shaves I didn’t find this till the 4th shave because I forgot to look. One would expect from a high praised razor it wouldn’t have that kind of issue. Go figure.
One thing I like about the Lab Blues is that they're a little more rigid than most DE blades, which makes for less chatter in most DE razors and a shave more like what you'd get from an old style single edge blade.