With all the talk of the Voskhods, I thought I might wander over to Razor Blades and More and purchase a couple hundred before you guys made a run on them...I was too late! I did sign up for email notification for when they're back in stock. While there, I was looking around and saw that the Gillette 7 o'Clocks are also made in Russia. I was just wondering has anyone compared the Gillette 7 O'Clock Blue Super Platinum Razor Blades to the Voskhods? In the description it says they're coated with platinum. Wondered if that's just marketing, or if they might compare to the Voskhods. I was PIF'd a 7 o'Clock but can't remember right now, which one it was.:ashamed001 I'll check later!
For what it's worth, they are made by 2 different companies in 2 different factories. The same company that makes Voskhod also makes Rapira. I've used the Russian 7 o'Clock blades before and weren't impressed. Voskhod is my new #1 blade. So to me, they are worlds apart and different. YMMV.
Thanks Jody. Are there 7 O'Clock blades made in the US? I've read some positive reviews of 7 O'Clocks...just wondered if that might be the ones with good reviews?
No, none are made in the US. Gillette wouldn't do anything smart like... make double edge blades in the US again. :happy097 The 7 o'Clock blades are made in St. Petersburg, Russia and in India. I think I also read some were made in Germany but I'm not 100% sure on that.. but do know they are made in Russia and India.
A tale of two blades... I bought 100 blades based on this thread. I opened one pack and used a blade for three shaves. The first two were nothing special, to say the least. I used a Star Featherweight and a Hoffritz OC travel. No irritation, but not close at all. For the 3rd shave I put it in a Hoffritz slant. That was a great shave, but I've come to think an old butter knife would give a great shave in that razor! I waited for awhile, but recently opened another pack (in case there were quality issues with the first pack). I put the blade in a Bulgarian razor I recently got off Ebay. The head on this thing is nice and heavy. The handle isn't all that special. (It's a great candidate for a BRW Mastiff) I had a fanstastic shave, and another one again this morning. Very close and pretty smooth. I'm hoping the first blade was an anomoly. I would really like to like these Voskhods.
I have not tried the Blue Super Platinum blades, but the 7 O'clock Sharp Edge (Yellows) are IMO a very outstanding blade. I too went to order some Voskhods this week (to find them back ordered). Both the Yellows and the Voskhods are blades I really like. Bill
Anyone know another hook up for Voshkods? Please PM me if you have some you are willing to sell or know the site location of.
I recently got a couple of packs of Voskhod blades through the 2011 Grab Bag and have been thoroughly pleased! What a smooooooth shave! I agree with the OP that it's not as sharp as a Feather, which are my favorites, but it's a close second on my face. I wrote a review about it on my blog which can be found HERE. I think it's a fabulous blade, and can't wait to get some more when they're back in stock over at Razor Blades and More. Cheers!
battle.munky, Everyone has been so nice to me on this forum, if you'll pm me your address I'll PIF you a 5 pack. As soon as they get them back in stock, I'm going to stock up!
I really liked the 7 0' clock yellows and they where my favorite until I tried the Voskhod's. I really like the shave and are a little cheaper for the same amount so it works for me. But if I could only have 2 blades & 0' clock yellows and Voskhod's would be it.
I don't know, there must be something wrong with me. I have tried Voskhod blades twice now and can not get more than 2 comfortable shaves out of a blade. Within the first few strokes of my 3rd shave, all I feel is tugging and pulling and have to change it. What makes this really strange is I get 4 comfortable shaves from a Rapira (which I believe is made in the same factory.) Still the best blade for me are Derby's. I get 6 comfortable shaves from every blade.
There is nothing wrong with you. Blades are a YMMV thing. Some just may work better for then others. Don't toss them in the bin, put them away for a few months and revisit them.
One thing I noticed when I opened up a Voskhod is it says not to wipe it...I believe was the correct wording. I guess you'd mess up the coating on the blade. I had just started trying to hand strop my blades when I got my Voskhods, so I've since stopped doing it since I've been mainly using the Rooskie blades. Truthfully, I don't think I could feel a difference when hand stropping my blades. Maybe I didn't try it long enough. I may give it another shot when I switch to another blade. I've been thinking about trying the Sharks again and may try it on them. The reason for my rambling was to make sure you're not wiping off your blades or hand stropping because that would shorten the life of them.
This ^ I'm late to the party but the Swedish Steel Rapira's are where its at, they start out like a feather, rough, yet sharp and end up sharp and almost as smooth as an Iridium at shave 3, and lasts through shave 4.
I've found Voskhods for sale over at shaving.ie in 5 and 100 packs for those of you looking for an alternate pusher.... erm supplier for your RBAD. I definitely want to try these after all the hype, but I don't think I'm ready to send out to the Emerald Isle for 'em.
