09-16-2021, 06:45 PM
(09-16-2021, 06:31 PM)Old Sarge Wrote:(09-16-2021, 05:53 PM)GAW9576 Wrote: I have had a few decent maybe even good shaves with a carbon blade, don't remember which brand. However it's one or 2 shaves then in the bin with carbon from my experience. I get 8 to 13 out of an SS. I don't feel like stroppi g disposable blades so the carbons just don't appeal to me. I'm glad you enjoy them though. Like I said I want to like them. I just haven't been impressed so far. Also it seems like no matter what I do to preserve them between shaves the tarnish to a point I'm not sure they are good to shave with.
In my research I've stumbled across palm stropping for SE blades. I guess the theory is that for initial use of a blade it could take out some of the harshness. While for a blade with a number of shaves, it could extend the life of the blade.
Has anyone tried this with any success? And if so, what type of blade were you using, is there anything to note about the technique used and how many times would you strop each side? My concern would be that palm stropping could detract from the overall life of a blade, to include limiting the effectiveness of any coating.
I know some people palm strop. I used to run the edge of the blade just barely into a cork or a Styrofoam packing peanut to take down the harshness a little. Now if I want to reduce the harshness of a new blade I just use it in a particularly mild razor for the first shave or two. A Gem featherweight is an excellent option for this. I prefer the first Gen Featherweight to the second Gen. The differences are small though. I believe all Featherweight Deluxes were 1st Gen. In case you aren't familiar the Deluxe is the one with the Gold endcap on the handle. This makes them super easy to ID. I Can't remember if the discussion was on here about the difference between first Gen. And second Gen. It may have been on Tost2 if you or anyone else is interested I can dig up pictures and post it here somewhere.