I’m really liking this idea of trying a new to me blade and comparing it to something else in it’s brand line. Recently I compared the Astra Superior Stainless (blue) to the Astra Superior Platinum (green), and really learned a lot.
The Shark Super Stainless is a favorite blade of mine, though last week’s shaves with it in the Oliworks was not ideal, but still really good. But I came into a tuck of Shark Super Chrome blades a little while back, and it’s time to try them out and compare them to the Shark Super Stainless blades.
Now unlike the Astra blades, I don’t see much argument or debate over which Shark blade is better, and I know I’ve seen shaves using the Super Chromes, but most are with the Super Stainless blades.
But again, part of this whole journey is to try out new blades and see what works well, so that’s what I’m going to do first: try out the Super Chromes this week.
So here’s the plan: similar to the Astra test, I’ll be using the same razor, and the same plates on the same days, but changing the blade each week. This week, it’s the Rockwell 6C plates 4, 3 and 2 with the Super Chrome, and next week, it will be the Rockwell 6C plates 4, 3 and 2 with the Super Stainless.
After doing this with the Henson mild and the Astras, I’m confident that if there’s a difference between the blades, I’ll feel it in the shaves.
So let’s get to it.
The Ratings
Sunday’s Shave, #234. The Proraso Sunday Shark Super Chrome shave.
The setup:
- Razor: Rockwell 6C plate 4
- Blade: Shark Super Chrome
- Pre-Shave: Proraso Refreshing pre-shave cream (green)
- Brush: Proraso boar shaving brush
- Soap/Cream/Gel: Proraso Refreshing shave soap (green)
- Alum Block: Stirling Soap Co. Alum
- After Shave: Proraso Refreshing aftershave balm (green)
- Stats: 59th almost perfect shave (25% of my tracked shaves have been almost perfect), 21st consecutive almost perfect shave, 1st shave with the Shark Super Chrome, 1st shave with the Rockwell plate 4 since December 7, 45th shave with the Rockwell which is second to the 54 shaves with the Henson mild, 9th shave with the Proraso green product line.
Not to say I’m looking for one, but I seem to be lacking in shaves that aren’t almost perfect lately. This, as I keep saying, is something that me of July 2024 would be thrilled with–that I’ve found consistently comfortable, close, satisfying shaves that I don’t dread. I continue to look forward to shaving, and I love planning the shaves as well to find tests like this one.
No, this wasn’t an outstanding shave by any means–kind of like the Astra blue, it just seemed like it was needing a lot of work to get the closeness I want. But even using a slightly more aggressive setup in the Rockwell, and there was some blade feel, there really wasn’t a lot of irritation–there was some, but it was all gone by the time I rinsed the alum off.
It’s been a while since I’ve been back to the Rockwell. As noted in the stats, I haven’t used plate 4 since early December, and I did have a bonus shave on Christmas eve with plate 2. I love its weight and balance, and that weight just helps ensure a nice smooth shave. I’m very glad that I chose the Rockwell for these two weeks of shaving.
The Proraso green products did their thing, though I got a superb lather this morning. And the menthol coolness lasted even after the shave.
Again, this was the kind of shave I hoping to find, and I’m happy to have had it and look forward to another one on Tuesday.
Comfort: 23 of 25
Quality/Closeness: 23 of 25
Overall: 23 of 25
Tuesday’s Shave, #235. The Cella red shave.
The setup:
- Razor: Rockwell 6C plate 3
- Blade: Shark Super Chrome
- Pre-Shave: Cella pre-shave gel (red)
- Brush: Yaqi Rainbow synthetic
- Soap/Cream/Gel: Cella Sweet Almond shaving cream (red)
- Alum Block: Stirling Soap Co. Alum
- After Shave: Cella after shave balm (red)
- Stats: 1st not almost perfect shave since Dec. 9, 2nd shave with the Cella red products.
No, this shave was not almost perfect (scoring 23 or 24 overall out of 25), but it wasn’t disappointing.
The Cella red products worked very well, providing a nice, slick, thick, rich base for the shave and excellent protection and moisture afterward.
But I think the Shark Super Chrome blade really needs a more aggressive setup to operate efficiently, and for my skin, that doesn’t work well. I’m not sure what it is, but this blade just seems less sharp, less efficient, and less precise than the Super Stainless–kind of a similar situation to the Astra blue blades, but those were noticeably better blades. That’s probably it, that the Super Chrome feel like they have less quality than others, including the Super Stainless.
Overall, it was a fine shave, but just not what I’d hope for with some lingering light irritation and some noticeable stubble left behind, despite extra passes to try to knock it down.
Comfort: 21 out of 25
Quality/Closeness: 21 out of 25
Overall: 21 out of 25
Thursday’s Shave, #236. The last Shark Super Chrome comparison shave.
The setup:
- Razor: Rockwell 6C plate 2
- Blade: Shark Super Chrome
- Pre-Shave: Stirling Soap Co. Unscented pre-shave soap
- Brush: Omega 10019 boar brush
- Lather: Razor Emporium Element 47 shave soap
- Alum Block: Stirling Soap Co. Alum
- After Shave: Nivea Sensitive Soothing Post Shave balm
- Stats: 60th almost perfect shave, 3rd (and last for now) shave with the Shark Super Chrome blade, 47th shave with the Rockwell 6C.
This felt like the sweet spot with this blade: very comfortable and pretty close. It was an enjoyable shave that I was very happy with.
There was almost sting with the alum, and even with some extra strokes to get about as close as I could, it didn’t compound any discomfort. While I’m not a huge fan of the Stirling pre-shave soap, it worked well enough with the Element 47 soap to make for a nicely slick and protective lather. And the Nivea balm as always did a great job of helping to heal and moisturize after the shave.
I know this is a comparison shave, and next week will be the real tell, but this was also the first shaves with the Shark Super Chrome, and what did I think of it? To be honest, I’m underwhelmed. It seems imprecise or less well engineered than the Super Stainless, not terribly sharp, and seems really prone to wanting to do damage. Compared to the Astra blue, it’s an inferior product, and I certainly expect it to reflect that next week when I use the Shark Super Stainless. It definitely won’t be a favorite, and I’m glad I only have one tuck in the collection.
Comfort: 24 out of 25
Quality/Closeness: 22 out of 25
Overall: 23 out of 25