Hi there Is there a blade that you consider "best price to value"? I know that there are a few blades that more expensive (feather) but if you had a small budget but a beard that you must shave what will you choose ????
I used the Wally World wilkinson swords for cheap and I was OK with them until I tried some feathers. I know it is not always the case but you do at times get what you pay for. I want to try others now that I know there are OK blades and there are some real sharp nice blades.
I think you might get several opinions here about the best budget blades. Since you brought up the Feather brand I assume you get good shaves from it and are looking for something similar? You might try looking for Kia De blades or maybe try the Russian Gillette family. Yellow, Blue, or Green pack are all good value. Not as sharp as a Feather but will give a close , smooth shave.
There are a number of reasonably priced blades and many have been mentioned above. I would order a sampler pack to see what works best for you before placing a bulk order for blades. What works very well for me could be utter rubbish for you.
Treet Dura Sharp Classics are very sharp and smooth indeed. The only drawback is they are carbon and will rust if you don't get the water off of them between shaves.
I'm a Mainer and we're known for frugality (frugality IS NOT being cheap!). For a blade to please this frugal Maineiac, it must be relatively inexpensive, ie, not a buck a blade, but that isn't the prime prerequisite. It must do it's job in a superlative manner and it must last. I've tested lots of blades in the last 7 months and I probably have another 5-6 months of DE blade testing to go before I'm done with testing. So far my best blades are Personna Med Preps and Gillette Yellows for sharpness, smoothness and longevity. I just drove a Treet Classic for the past week and retired it today, it was a mighty fine blade among other mighty fine blades that didn't make the cut. As previously written, it's carbon steel. I don't dry CS blades- I don't handle razor blades if I can possibly help it. I put a few drops of Mineral Oil on the blade when I first install it, top and bottom, and after a good shake off after use, I replenish the MO. That's a hassle and not at all frugal of my time and patience. For me drying and handling a blade would be even worse. In SE blades it's the Ted Pella (EMS has 'em too) 121-3 GEM SS PTFE triple facet blades. The SE carbon steel blades are good, but again it's the mineral oil treatment and that gets old fast.
I just dunk the razor in alcohol and shake it off and have never expierienced any rust issues. Never oiled it.
For me, its the Personna Lab. Sharp, longlasting. Just rinse and shake. No alcohol. No oil. No rust. No problem.
I have a tougher than average beard and not particularly sensitive skin and I'm getting really good shaves and longevity out of Super Max and Topaz blades. I also get good results from Dorco and Wilkisons, but at $.08 a blade it's tough to beat the Super Max and Topaz. That's about a penny a shave! YMMV, of course, but give them a try. I also just rinse and air dry them. Then again, I live in the desert so they dry in seconds flat anyway!
Yup. One other thing, you have to know what you're willing to put up with and what your priorities are. Are you looking to spend as little as possible, with no regard as to how the blade performs? Are you willing to put up with pulling and tugging? (course, even expensive blades can do that) Or are you looking for the best shave possible? Hey, you just may find an inexpensive blade that'll give you that, if you take Dale's advice and get the sampler pack.
As others have mentioned, blades work differently from person to person & even razor to razor. So what works for one will not always work for another. A good sampler pack will help you dial in on what you like best for the price. I've had good luck with Supermax, Sharks & Walmart Wilkinsons & Derbys. So far, the only brand "banished" from my bathroom is Dorcos, yet some others have had good things to say about them...
Is there a blade that you consider "best price to value"? I know that there are a few blades that more expensive (feather) but if you had a small budget but a beard that you must shave what will you choose ???? ***The best price of all is using those blades which get PIFed to you. I get good mileage with the DE blades. So I must get the best price of all. ***
This is the best advice out there. I tried to learn using CVS branded stuff, and it wasn't great. If you don't find a sampler from the regular vendors, go buy one or two packs from each vendor. Make sure to include Derby, shark's, Lord Platinum, Astra super paltinum (SP), and such. It takes awhile, but you find what works. I found it helpful to write down how each shave went, or to just post the shaves here.
As Mechguy just stated the best sample pack is to just buy individual packs of the blades that interest you and line em up and have a go.
Many of the Lord offerings are quite nice and easy on the wallet. Shark super stainless, Silver Star, Racer and Lord Cool are favorites of mine. Also, I'm liking the Rapira blades as well. Lot's of longevity and sharpness with the Gillette 7 o'clock Super Platinum (blue pack made in Russia). Personally, I find all the ones I've just mentioned to be priced well and have offered me qualities of sharpness, smoothness and reasonable longevity for their price point respectively, but as stated by others here, it's definitely a personal thing. All the best in your search.
