That's still the foolproof setup, folks just need to learn how to shave.I remember when the these used to be the default blades that were recommended to newbies.
These and an EJ89.
Guess times are changing.
It's strange - i finished the 100 Astra SP i bought in 2016 from Connaught and recently opened the 100 Astra SP i bought from Amazon in 2020 — they look the same and seem to shave the same, but i get the faint brown stains on them unless i dry them after each shave.I had a first these past few days: an Astra SP rusted like a SOB while installed in RR GC .68 after the 2nd shave!! But, in all fairness the humidity has been off the charts. Tossed the blade & cleaned the rust off the RR GC .68.
Oiled versus not oiled?It's strange - i finished the 100 Astra SP i bought in 2016 from Connaught and recently opened the 100 Astra SP i bought from Amazon in 2020 — they look the same and seem to shave the same, but i get the faint brown stains on them unless i dry them after each shave.
Maybe different metal finish?
Yes could be - i don't have any concerns that they are fake or anything, as they were supplied and fulfilled by Amazon, so direct from the factory.Oiled versus not oiled?
actually that doesnt work for everyone... im a man with facial hair like steel wire and very weak and delicate facial skin. Yet pre shave is not going to impact shave.Don't discount pre shave prep as a possible reason for a poor / rough shave. Something I was reminded of myself recently.
If you're only using a pre-shave cream to prepare it probably isn’t enough, especially with a tougher beard.
Preparing your face well with either a shower or hot towel before hand definitely softens up the beard far better than a pre-shave alone IMHO.
I had a rough experience last week because I hadn’t showered prior to shaving which was a rare occurrence for me.
I used Proraso Green pre-shave but it did nothing to soften the stubble properly so when I shaved the blade felt as if it was tearing at the hair as opposed to cutting through it.
Another suggestion is regarding the Proraso pre-shave. There are occasions when this cream actually dries out my skin and also affects the soap I’m applying on top.
Its like it dries out the lather making it less slick and can cause unwanted drag on the blade. I do like the menthol in it however but I use it less frequently than before. It might be worth trying a pre-shave oil to see how it compares ?
Of course we’re all individual and my experience might simply be due to my own skin type. YMMV.