Derby's seem to work pretty well in almost everything. I'm expanding my horizons however and just ordered a few Russian 7 O' Clock's from Giovanni. I hear very good things about these blades.
so far the only blades that have worked for me are derby extras.the red pack ips don't work at all for me and i ordered them in bulk lol.i have some 7oclocks coming so lets hope they work.
If you decide to part with the Red Personas, you can list them if the Classifieds...I know several gents here including myself like them I tried a Yellow 7 o'clock last night, seemed like a nice blade
NOS LB Wilkinsons (extremely hard to find,but the best I've ever used.) Yellow Gillette 7 O'Clock Israeli Personnas Dorco 301st Red Personnas
So far I've found Sharps and 7 am to be my top blades. Of course, that's subject to change as there are so many blades to try out. Derby Extra are not sharp enough and a little rough but not enough of either to make me disown them. I really like 7 o'clock Super Stainless. Crystal's are very very smooth for me but, again, just not sharp enough. And the list goes on.....
I'm amazed at how many people think the 7am blades are among the best and very sharp. I found these blades to be very smooth (NO irritation), but not that sharp (not a really close shave, even with a full four passes). Looks like I should have ordered a pack of Derbies with my sample pack.
Faves so far out of the west coast sampler are Red Personna's Wilkinson Platinums Crystals (very close shave but some irritation)
I think part of this confusion stems from the 7 O'Clock/7 A.M. problem. I found 7 A.M.s to be neither smooth nor sharp...
Dunno about the IPs. I used to get Swede Gillettes...that was my best. But yeah, I'd rather use a straight, too.
I have tried and tried....and the red pack personna take the cake. The personna platinums(most generic DE) comes up in 2nd though. Its odd the cheapest razor is my favorite?