Right now on eBay, there are several different brands of blades that are listed as Israeli Personnas. They are Q-Ball, Crystal, Royal, Viking's Sword, Tomy, and Personna (red). Is there any difference between these blades, or should I just buy the one that is cheapest? I am currently using a Crystal blade that another member PIF'd to me and I'm really liking it. I'm getting great shaves with it. I'm getting ready to make a bulk purchase of them, but couldn't help but wonder if these blades are all the same.
Well, the Crystal is the Israeli Personna. Viking is made by the same Israeli plant, and though I have never used one I understand they are identical. Unless someone is pulling a fast one, the Personna Reds are also the Israeli blade. Can't speak to the others. Anyone else wanna weigh in?
I just got some Q-Ball and Tomy blades specifically to try out and I've used them all this week...My go to(daily use) blades are Viking's Sword and Astra SP's....So here's a mini review if you will... Tomy: Blade started rough,but actually seemed to smooth out buy the end of the week(strange)...The blade gave me a very Derby feeling shave however, neither close nor comfortable....I barely made the week with it...I didn't like it and as the price is the same as the Viking's Sword, I wouldn't recommend it over VS of course YMMV.... Q-Ball: I found this blade rather Viking's Sword like, although I like the VS better...I find the VS smoother and shaves closer than the Q-Ball...I could replace the VS with the Q-Ball, but only if the price favored the Q-Ball blade "Greatly" otherwise I'd stick with the VS blades....
Let me add "LifesShort" I've used the Israeli Red and Blue(Cyrstal) Personna's, as well as Store Branded Personna's,Med and Lab preps..Of those considering price as well as preformance I like the Viking's Sword the best..It's become my go-to blade....
I will add that as much as you like a blade now, hold off on bulk purchases for a bit and try a few more brands.
Grab the sample pack of Q-Ball, Viking's Sword, Tomy and make your own call. I have found them to be all outstanding blades but YMMV.
+1. That's how I found my go to blades ( Personna Lab, Med Prep, Polsiver SI, Viking Sword.) Different blades work differently for everyone. I for one can't use most platinum coated blades. Something about them irritates my skin very badly and makes me break out.
I just had a go with both the Crystal and Viking Sword. I even used them simultaneously in a Merkur HD and noticed a substantial difference between the two. I found the crystal to be the sharper blade, and also slightly smoother. The Viking Sword still felt like a good blade, but it will not replace the Crystal as a top three blade. Furthermore, in a recent article by Mantic, he compared the Crystal with the Israeli Personna Blue and also found them to be different. I always assumed these where the same blade, but I guess not. Mr. LifesShort. One blade of the Viking Sword blade is already on its way to you now. If you haven't tried it yet, you can make your own comparison.
Thanks, Norseman! I've been wanting to try a Viking Sword, but haven't purchased any yet. Now I have another reason to wait by the mailbox!
Different brands from the same factory may have different specs or they might all be exactly the same with different wrappers. Only with info directly from the manufacturer or an electron microscope will we know for sure.
Somewhere out there on the web, there is a microscope study of different DE blade edges. I think it was done through Badger and Blade. It's a bunch of years old but I think it included Personna Reds and Crystals. Those two are different and distinct blades. I prefer Personna Reds.
Well, B&B had a link to a site http://badgerandblade.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-331664.html http://straightrazorplace.com/shavi...s-under-scanning-electron-microscope-sem.html but Squire has the most extensive http://forum.shavemyface.com/viewtopic.php?t=29705