When testing a new razor, what blades constitute the perfect sample pack for you??

When you get a new double edge razor, what blades are in your must try sample pack?

What blades do you wish are never included in a sample pack?

Which blades you do not care either way?

For me,

In a perfect sample pack:
Voskhod Teflon
Feather New Hi Stainless yellow pack
Astra Super Platinum
Gillette Silver Blue
Gillette 7 o'clock Sharp Edge
Gillette 7 o'clock PermaSharp
Gillette Super Platinum
PolSilver Super Iridium
Derby Extra
Personna Lab Blue
Personna Med Prep
Nacet SS
Bic Chrome Platinum
Ladas Super Stainless
Rapira Platinum Lux
Rapira Stainless Chrome
Rapira Super Stainless
Rapira Swedish Super Steel
Treet Durasharp
Treet Platinum



Wish are never included:
Shark anything
Wilkinson Sword Black package


Could care less:
Merkur SP
Personna Reds
Lord anything
Wilkinson Sword White package German


What are yours?

 

If I was to be testing a new-to-me razor, I wouldn't go sample pack.
I'd go with a blade I know works well for me in any razor I put it in - Astra SP.
If an Astra SP won't work in that new-to-me razor, ain't no blade gonna work.

(just to tug the chain of our grammar police!)

 

I use Feathers in all my DE razors so if they don't work in a razor then the razor doesn't stay around.

 

I agree with the last two answers. When ever I think of a DE shave it's with my Perma Sharp blade, so that what I want in a test drive.

 

So for you guys, you do not find that each razor has a specific blade and instead look for your next razor to conform to a single blade.

doesn't that tend to cause you to duplicate the razor you already have? I say this because a given geometry, blade exposure, etc. might have the same blade be seen as good.

 

More aggressive geometry is better suited to less sharp blades and vice versa.

Blades don't matter nearly as much as some would like to think. As you gain experience and solidify your techniques, most blades will work for you.

 

I've got a few blades I'll try in a new razor. Of course this is subject to how many I have left of each: 1) Balzano 2) Derby 3) Feather 4) GSB 5) 7'oclock Green 6) Shark Super Stainless 7) Voskhod 8) Wilkinson Sword Black.

 

I judge most razors with astra sp. Ive yet to find one that didnt like astras. If I do, I'll try persona labs in it.

 

If getting a great shave from all my razors mean I'm duplicating my razors, call it what you want.
I have 32 DEs, 9 SEs and 8 str8s in rotation.
Why not just one that I have found to consistently give me the best shave? I like the variety.

 

Not at all. My 34c is fairly mild when used with a Feather and my Timeless 0.95 OC is fairly aggressive with a Feather.

Like @Bama Samurai said, once the technique is mastered the blade becomes less of an issue and more of a preference. Personally I think most people starting out would be better served by quickly picking a blade they are generally happy with and concentrate on the technique. In all honesty, until you've mastered the technique you can't really say if the blade is the issue or not.

I see this same issue of newer participants concentrating on the small issues in my other two hobbies of motorcycles and shooting. There are endless debates on the motorcycle forums over suspension settings or tires. In reality a new rider is usually well served with the basic suspension setting until they have mastered the concepts of riding. Small things matter after the big things as mastered.

 

Your list looks pretty solid.
I think (as we have seen somewhat in the comments already) that some people have one "go-to" blade and others like to switch it up. I am along the same lines as @Bama Samurai in that I believe in using milder blades in more aggressive razors and sharper blades in milder razors.
As such, for me it breaks down 2 ways:

1) you like to just use one blade: these people will stick to their blade choice no matter what. If you haven't found this "perfect" blade for you, then I would suggest getting what most people consider the best blades (feathers, astra sp, voskhods, Gillette silver blues, Gillette 7 o clocks, rapira, and sharks tend to show up on these popularity lists a lot)

2) use different blades in different razors according to aggressiveness. You can find aggressiveness charts all over the Internet. I like feathers in things like Gillette techs and sharks or Wilkinson swords in things like blackbirds, merkur slants, and r41s

 

What blades do you prefer?

 

In a perfect sample pack:

Derby Extra
Derby Premium
Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Stainless
Feather New Hi Stainless
Personna Lab Blue
Personna Med Prep
Astra Superior Platinum
Voskhod Teflon


Which are never included:
Merkur SP
VDH
Lord


Could care less:

Personna Reds
PolSilver Super Iridium (discontinued - why bother?)
Bic Chrome Platinum
Anything else

Derbys are at the head of my list because for me they seem to work with every razor out there. That removes one variable. After the Derby, I'll try the razor with other blades to find the perfect match.

 

Well said!

 

I like the Polsilver SI blade and thought, for what it is worth, I would share the below statement from West Coast Shaving. I have seen similar posting elsewhere. The Polsilver blade is still being made. They are going through some repackaging and marketing changes but you can still get them.

"DESCRIPTION

The Super Iridium double edge blades were a popular blade before they were discontinued. Or at least that's what we thought happened to them. Turns out there was a distribution change and the blades are still being made in St. Petersburg, Russia. They are packaged slightly different, but they are the same great blade. Sharp and smooth.

5 blades per pack.

Made in Russia."

 

When I buy a new razor, I usually start with a Voskhod, because it's an excellent blade that has given me excellent results.