I just got a sampler pack with these blades: Derby Extra Super Stainless BlueBird Hi-Stainless LORD Platinum Gillette 7 O'clock Super Stainless I've been DE shaving for a month, and I can do it without a nick! I've been using CVS Drug Store blades made by American Razor Company (or something like that), and I'm finally going to use a "real" blade. So which blade do I use first? Are any of these known to be mild or super aggressive? Thanks!
Hi Goby, This is one of the major reasons why members get the advice to try a sampler pack So many people, so many opinions and what does fine for one, does not work for another...... Etc., etc. BlueBird I don´t know Lord I never used Derby is very good to me Gillette is a really nice blade But like I mentioned earlier, so many members so many opinions.....
If you've been shaving for a month with ASR (American Safety Razor) blades, you can use any of the these blades. Be respectful of each blade while learning how it's different. Here are my impressions: Derby Extra Super Stainless - very mild and smooth, personally find it too mild and short life. BlueBird Hi-Stainless - haven't tried but reported similar to Super Platinum+ Personnas which are a very good moderately aggressive blade LORD Platinum - Almost feather sharp and very smooth. Gillette 7 O'clock Super Stainless - I haven't tried these, but the Sharp Edge (Yellow) version is one of my favorite blades. All of these blades have fans and represent a good variety. I think you'll find something you like despite the somewhat small selection compared to most samplers.
The Derby Extra and the Bluebird are both made in the same factory (as you can possibly tell from the packaging)... As others have said there's nothing desperately aggressive or desperataly mild there - so the order you posted is as good as any. I'd suggest that you use at least two blades of each before forming an opinion - sometimes you can get a duff blade (or indeed a spectacularly good one) and that would obviously skew your opinion
Blades are the type of thing if you ask 5 people their opinions, you'll get 8 different responses, but here's mine: * why are you thinking CVS blades aren't "real" blades? I know what you meant, just picking. But honestly, lots of folks are perfectly fine with local Wal-Mart or drug store blades. * Sampler pack: just pick one and try it. - Bluebird blades - but I've heard great things about them, but have never tried them - Gillette 7 o'clock super stainless - of the tree - black, yellow, green - 7 o'clocks, they were my least favorite, but of other blades, they're pretty good -Derby - a LOT of folks rate them as the standard blade. Many people love these, but - they're not the blade for me. They do provide great shaves, but they're not very smooth for me. -Lord - they're okay. I've not gotten great shaves with them, but they beat Merkurs and Dorcos easily. my suggestion? either: A) decide which you'd like to try first, either by coolest name, best/worst reputation prettiest packaging, etc....OR B) randomly pick one (but I would NOT suggest throwing them in a hat and reaching in to grab one ) you're going the find the highest rate of YMMV in blades
Thanks guys! BTW, CVS blades aren't "real" because they come from the US and were very easy to find. "Real" blades come from foreign lands, 99% of America has never heard of them, and must be ordered over the internet! :happy102 I'm still afraid of Feathers.... you guys have scared me! OK... time to start shaving! I can't believe that I actually look forward to shaving in the morning! DE razors make shaving fun and enjoyable.
As Jim said, pick one and use it, even if the Feather is first. It is beyond me why people are so afraid of these things (the Feather that is). It's a sharp blade like any other blade out there and, just like any other blade out there, will slice you if you're not careful. Besides, it is, after all, designed to cut. Just because a blade is not a Feather, does that mean we can be less careful? Does it mean we can get sloppy with our technique just because blade X "more forgiving" (whatever thatmeans)?!?! Using blade X or blade Y or a Feather is no excuse for not being mindful of your technique. I've also found certain blades to work better as my technique improved. Derby, as an example. Couldn't stand it when I started with the DE last year. Too much pull and irritation. I just recently tried it again, and, lo, with an improved technique, it's not a bad blade. Technique, technique, technique - it just may be the biggest contributer to a great shave.
Steve is on to something. Feathers aren't that scary. I don't recommend the sharpest ~10% of available blades as a FIRST blade, but after that I think it's wide open. Goby - you've used one blade and can shave at least reasonably well with it. The only reason to avoid really sharp blades is to minize damage if you really screw up when you don't know what you're doing. You've just moved past that point, so don't be afraid of any blade now.
A) good point on the Feathers, or any other blade whose legend of sharpness precedes it - don't fear it, treat it like any other blade, with respect. Any blade, when due care and attention is not applies, will cut you (it's just that Feathers have been known to remove limbs...or other bodily extremities :shocked003) B) a great deal of a blades performance is also determined by the razor it is used in. So, try all these blades in your razor, and if/when you get another razor down the road, be sure to try them, and any other blades you'll have acquired at that point, again. Remember I mentioned Derbys not really doing it for me? I do have one razor that they will do well in, but in any other razor I've tried they've been barely par. Just another variable to keep in consideration. ooh, here's another: regardless of razor, try them all again in 5-6 months. As your experience and technique continue to improve, you may find a blade that wasn't exactly great for you before may indeed be your daily preference later on. Man, isn't this hobby an exciting adventure!
Thanks! I have a 1951 Gillette Super Speed razor, which I've heard is a good beginner's razor. I really love it, and I won't be getting another razor for a while. I think I can get one more shave out of my current blade, but blades are so cheap, I might just toss it and use a new one. Not sure which one yet, but I'm excited! Thanks again!
that's a very good razor, beginner or not a lot of people want to try the best blade of the pack first, then work through the rest of them. I've always been opposite, wanting to find the least popular and kinda work my way up. Of course, we get back to the 'one works well for many but not others' rhetoric. but, whatever you decide should be fine...you plan on getting through them all anyway, right? one approach you could do would be use the Derby first, based on it's high frequency of suggestion as a great all-around middle-ground blade, then base your impressions of the others in relation to it.
I used the Derby today since most people seem to like them. Great shave, and not a single nick. (**feeling face....***) Now that I think of it, it was an amazing shave!!
Those are real blades. They are actually Personnas, and are labeled as such in Germany for the same patent number and packaging as the ones that are labeled as 'made by American Safety Razor'(which is the actual name, not American Razor Company). They are also the blades most often used for the 'generic' brands. I get them in AAFES, the Army and Air Force stores, and they are labeled as from ASR. These blades are the best I have used thus far, but I have only used a couple. I just got my sample pack in the mail the other day, but am using these on different razors to see what the difference is so far. I have got consistently good shaves with barely a nick from these, only time I got a nick was when rushing before work. Luckily for me that these are such great razors in my case as they are the most readily available and cheapest for me to get. Here is a link: ASR Count yourself lucky that you have found a GOOD blade that does what you want, with minimal damage, and at such a good price. I know I feel lucky that these are the best I have tried thus far. I still have about 16 other brands to try in my sampler, but I have a feeling I will be using these for the entire time I am over here.
The thing about my CVS Drug Store blades is that they were so darn expensive. Almost $7.00 for 10 of them, although I see similar ones (may be the same) for $2.79 at the supermarket. They were good blades, and I would be fine with them if they were cheap. But I sure do like my Derby's better. BTW, I remember the days of being a soldier. AAFES was pretty cool.
Are you sure the ones are CVS are ASR and not Gillette? I've seen Gillette blades for a similar (I think higher) price at Rite Aid. ASR blades are ~$200/10 at Wal Mart and local drug stores. I've never tried the Gillettes due to price, but the ASR blades are what I used while first learning. I still have a few and tried one a couple weeks ago. I't not terrible, average sharpness but just a little rough. Glad the Derby's are working for you, my experience with them is different but I'm in the minority.
