Any interest in a blind DE blade test?

NOTE: This blade test is now finished. Please read about the results here: http://shavenook.com/thread-blind-blade-test-results.

I'll be locking this thread.

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We keep reading blade reviews where people judge the blades they use in their DE razors, and these are useful because they help us choose the blades we'll use, in turn.

However, the one thing that's missing is some sort of 'blind' testing of the blades. The users know which blade they're using beforehand, and they've generally already read a review or two of those blades - this can affect the outcome of the test, as we all know.

What I've been wanting to try is a small test that takes care of one of these issues - knowledge of the blade being used. 5-10 blades, 10 people.

Your SWMBO would have to be involved, as she'll be loading and replacing the blades. You're not to try and find out what blade is being used at any point. Blades will be in unopened wrappers.

Reviews would be based on a simple rating system. Several characteristics will be chosen.

More details will be presented if the test really takes off.

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One rule that's important: you must have identified a DE razor that really works well for you. Don't do this test with a razor that's new to you, and also use the same razor for all blades.

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So, any interest? I think this could be useful.

It's a great idea, Yohann. Unfortunately, I live alone so I would have to cheat.

Won't one of those characteristics be number of shaves per blade?

I hope you get enough takers for this. It would prove very interesting.

Freddy -

I was thinking of limiting the test to three shaves per blade. If we went to 'failure' then -

A) The test would take too long, and
B) People would have to reach the point of getting a really bad shave

We could do a smaller test, but we need numbers for it to be really interesting.

This is a great idea IMO. Sadly, my SWMBO cannot change blades because of an horrible inflammatory arthritis in her hands so I cannot participate either.

I will seriously look forward to the results. At under one year, I still consider myself a newbie and I think that I am somewhat biased by blade reviews. There are a number of them that I have not made an attempt at trying based on the lack of positive or hardly any reviews and I'm sure that there are a few out there that I'm missing out on.

SWMBO in this household refuses to touch any DE blades, so it won't work here.

I'd be up for it at only 3 shaves per blade. I do reserve the right to have an SE shave in-between blades though.

(06-12-2012, 05:47 AM)yohannrjm Wrote: So, any interest? I think this could be useful.

Hi Yohann

You can count me in.

Take care, Mike

Two down, eight to go.

Oh I'm getting in on this one.
Yohann, tell me which blades you're using and I'll try to use as many of the same as I can. Also, can you post a list of the characteristics to rate?

I'm in if this gets going

John -

I'd supply the blades myself (numbered). That way you have no idea what they could be.

I'll draw up the instructions and the review guidelines and once we hit 6 people, I'll start sending stuff out.

I'm too far away to play, but will be interested in seeing the results.

Sounds like a great test. be sure to have people who participate mention their beard, because how heavy a beard is seems to be the main determinant of which blades a person likes.

Yohann, if you can not get enough gents in the US, i would participate as well.
celestino

I will participate. I got my wife into wetshaving so she is perfectly comfortable changing DE blades. I think this is a stellar idea. Depending on the number of blades tested, that is a long time to stick to just one razor. I'll have to give some thought as to which workhorse to use for testing. The other variable to remove would be the actual product. I know that some soaps can give me a bad impression of a blade, and the next day a different soap and I'm happy with the result. I'll have to stick to Vitos for the duration of the test so that remains consistent.

Okay, Vitos and Mergress XL for the duration of the experiment...

Five takers (and Celestino) so far.

C'mon gents, sign up here.

Will there be a template for scoring the blades? Some kind of 5 point Likert scale for multiple characteristics? Or will it be more wholistic and qualitative? Thanks for organizing this, Yohann.

(06-15-2012, 08:48 AM)Dirty Texan Wrote: Will there be a template for scoring the blades? Some kind of 5 point Likert scale for multiple characteristics? Or will it be more wholistic and qualitative? Thanks for organizing this, Yohann.

Yes please! I'm not great at narratives. I'd love to rank it on a 5 point scale.

Yep, that's what it's going to be - a ranking.

I'll put together the guidelines this weekend and get the material out to everyone soon. I'll have to wait a bit, as I have some blades coming in soon, so we have a variety to try out.

Yohann

(06-15-2012, 10:14 AM)yohannrjm Wrote: Yep, that's what it's going to be - a ranking.

I'll put together the guidelines this weekend and get the material out to everyone soon. I'll have to wait a bit, as I have some blades coming in soon, so we have a variety to try out.

Yohann

Thanks Yohann, this is great. This will be a true blind test since we won't have a clue as to what we're using. When it's done in-house, you still know which blades you have so you're already biased. The setup here is great. I can't wait.