As many of you probably know, Gillette broke its association with the famous St. Petersburg factory in Russia as a result of the events happening now in Europe, which I won't go into here as it involves politics and I don't want to go down that road except to say that those who think geopolitics don't have an effect on non-political daily life are, unfortunately, mistaken. ANYway, Gillette moved production to India, and many if not all of the blade brands it acquired that were once manufactured in St. Petersburg are now being made in India. I bought a 100-count pack of Astra Superior Platinum blades from the Shave Nation web site hoping they'd be the ones made in St. Petersburg, as Razor Emporium still has stock from that factory available for sale. Alas, it turned out I got the Indian-made blades, which began production last year. Well, I figured it couldn't hurt to give the new blades a try before dismissing and re-selling. I don't want to be that guy who writes stuff off without trying it first to see if it's actually worth keeping. So, yesterday, I opened a tuck of the Indian Astras to try out. The first thing I noted was that the wrapper had the Astra print on it, as did those made in Russia in 2017 and prior. Likewise, the blades are ink-stamped as opposed to the laser-etched ones produced after 2017. The only difference visually is that the Indian blades have only a number 1 on one side and the number 2 on the other, whereas the 2017-and-before had 1 and 3 on one side and 2 and 4 on the other in addition to the Astra name logo. The post-2017 Astra blades that are laser-engraved have only the Astra name logo and no numbering on one side, and blank on the other. Now, as for performance, I was pleasantly surprised to get the same Astra shave and feeling. Still very smooth, sharp, and forgiving, although I did note that I got a very little feedback with my witch hazel and alum block following my shave, whereas I usually get none using the 2017-and-before blades. As to longevity, Astra has a well earned reputation for being longer-lasting than the average safety blade, which gives between four and six shaves before needing replacement. Astra, in my experience anyway, typically goes seven to ten or more. I like that a lot. Having so far only used the Indian-made Astra once, I don't know how long its shaving life is. I'll report back over the next week to let you all know.
Great review, Michael. Astra SPs are one of only two brands I use. Good to know the shave experience shouldn't change much, if even noticeable at all.
Great review! I have yet to try Astras, but good to know I didn’t miss my chance. Thanks for posting!
Great review and thanks for posting. I will not admit to how many packs I have for emergency backup. Lol. But good to know that many years from now when I need new ones, they will be just as good as the ones I have.
Alright, just did shave number two today. Yesterday's was with a Merkur 42 razor and Taylor of Old Bond Street shave cream (Tobacco Leaf). Today's was with the Merkur 34c and Fine Accoutrements American Blend (tallow puck). I definitely heard and felt the scritch, though no nicks or irritation, almost no feedback from witch hazel or alum block. Aftershave splash (F.A. American Blend), no burn. BBS shave on three passes with touch-ups in the usual places.
That’s good to hear. My favorite blades have for years been Gillette Silver Blue, Gillette Platinum, and Astra SP, in a Gillette Slim or Black Beauty set on 4. Any word on the Silver Blues or Gillette Platinum in the blue package? Were they also moved to India, and are they as good as before?
love astra blades but only have early 2017 versions at present . great review so far.looking forward.gillette 7 oclock super platinum (black) and greens(permasharp) are Indian made and are good blades as well.
Alright, yesterday I shaved for the first time since Friday (was having a serious case of the blahs). Razor was my Merkur 37c. Took off all that growth with ease. I did get a few tiny nicks in the usual spots, but that's my fault. No feedback on the witch hazel and alum. Being Tabac Tuesday, it was that product all the way: shower, shave, and hair.
I'm sad to report that this first blade out of the Indian-made Astra SP tuck is done. Today's shave was with Williams Mug Shave Soap, King C. Gillette razor, Omega Boar Brush. Followed up with Clubman Musk and Nivea post-shave balm. Today's was the fourth shave. Noticeable drag and feedback on the witch hazel and alum. It may be that shaving after three or four days' worth of whisker growth and in the more aggressive slant razor wore it out sooner than it otherwise would have been, and while I like Williams, it isn't the slickest soap on the market. I don't like to give up on a blade until I've gone through the whole tuck. After all, it may simply have been a dud and there were extenuating factors. But tomorrow I'll be using a new blade. I'll report back tomorrow.
I’m interested in reading about your experience with the rest of the blades from this tuck. Good thread
Unknown. Packaged for the military BX-PX. Years ago when the base still carried them, it was $1 for a pack of 10. I'd buy 2 packs whenever I was out that way.
Probably Personnas. They were US made Personnas when I first started buying them and they were great. Then Israeli made Personnas for a while and those were pretty good too. My BX still carries DE blades but now they're German made Personnas. Not a big fan of them. I can get a decent shave with most blades but I gave up on a pack of the German made ones without finishing it.
My face can go a week to ten days with the St. Pete's SPs, but everyone's is different. Mind you, I think the 2017-and-earlier are better. Fortunately, I still have ~150 of the Russian Astra SPs and 100 each of the Tiger and TATRA Platinums, a good 70 or so Treet Black Beauties, 100 of the Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Platinum Strangelets, and a few tucks of other brands from sampler purchases. So I'm good on blades for at least a decade, ha ha!
I rarely get past 3-4 days on any blade. I'm picky and, as soon as the shave isn't to my liking switch. Blades are cheap. Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
Alright, Day Three with the second Indian Astra Superior Platinum (I skipped yesterday). Saturday's shave was with Stirling Scots Pine Sheep soap, glacial aftershave, and post shave balm. Razor was Merkur 34c. Great shave, but definitely got feedback on the witch hazel and alum. Today was Oleo's Shepherd soap (a favorite winter scent of mine). Razor was Merkur 34c. I got a few nicks, nothing major, no weepers, but feedback was still present on the witch hazel and alum although not as stinging as Saturday's.
Okay, today was shave number four. Tabac Tuesday, Merkur 34c. The shave felt a lot like what I'm used to with Astra SPs: smooth, no problems except for re-opening the nicks from yesterday. No real feedback on the witch hazel and alum.
