I have about a dozen of different blades. All of them were praised on this and other boards. But, to be honest, I will have a hard time to identify a blade loaded in one of my razors if I do not have a look. It does not stop to amaze me when people say something like "a perfect razor + blade combination"! Wow! I could never get that! I can easily notice, say, the tiniest nuances in the way a fountain pen performs, but when it comes to shaving... I am at a loss. Is it just me?
I'm still new, but I can say that Astra SP blades do not work well in my Maggard MR10, but they do work well in my iKon SC101. I don't know why.
Yes….and no. I have used a fairly broad variety of DE razors over the past few years (+20), and only on some can I really detect a difference in the quality of shaves dependent upon the blade used. On the majority of DE razors I have used, honestly, the blade is secondary to how the razor was designed. On many Gillettes, I did not notice a significant variation on the quality of shave using a variety of blades. On certain razors, however, the difference in the shave quality with the wrong blade in readily apparent (snags, irritation, pulling). An example of this is the Mühle R41 (2011 version), a very aggressive razor that gives immediate feedback on how the blade is on the face. I find I prefer only certain brands with this razor. This razor reveals any flaws or shortcomings in a blade—and even with the 'best' of blades—when the blade begins to dull (usually in about 2 shaves), it is obvious. So depending on the razor used, in my experience, the difference in blade type may not be as obvious as many state. As always…YMMV.
Although I must say I envy you being able to shop blades strictly by price. For me, different blades perform "extremely" differently...
It's just you. Until you come across a blade that cuts you over and over again, and then you'll be like the rest of us.
There are many blades I can use and have a hard time to tell apart. But there are some that's just plain unusable. To me there's the bottom that just don't work. Then there's the middle with perfectly useable blades. And then there's the top with a few select that just tops'em all. But to say they're all the same is a bit of a stretch
If not 'just you' then you are at least in a very small minority. I'd argue if you put a Derby blade in..and then a Feather..you'd be able to tell the difference. Having said that..to me blades are like this; 20% Tuggy, hate them. Can absolutely tell a difference 60% Middle-of-the-road. They perform equally. Can't really tell them apart. 20% Smooth as butter, great blades. Can absolutely tell a difference. So, it's possible that the blades you've tried so far fall in your 60%-middle range.
For me it's probably the most important factor. I could switch razor or soap more easily than I can switch blade. Many blade simply destroy my face while other perform really well. What Darkbulb says is quite true though. There is many blade I coudln't really tell apart. I've tried 7-8 brands and they fall into 3-4 categories. So while I can tell a Silver blue from a derby and a derby from an astra, I can't tell a silver blue from a blue bird and can't tell an Astra from a Feather or a shark from a derby since those all shave pretty much to same on my skin/beard combo. If you only tried 2-3 brands, it's quite possible that they all fall into the "pretty good" category.
Up until about a week ago I would have agreed with you. I had used several different blades and couldn't tell much of a difference and any difference I thought I felt I chalked up to my still developing technique. Then I tried a 7am blade and it was uncomfortable and very tuggy, so I ditched that and tried a Derby for the fist time and it was just as bad so I tried another Derby figuring maybe it was a bad blade as I've read about that as a possibility. Nope - still bad. Switched to an Astra 1/4 way through the shave and it was like night and day! I have about 8 more brands in my sampler pack, but quite frankly I don't even want to try them. I will, because there might be something even better, but there can definitely be a difference. Cheers!
I'd say you would definitely be able to tell the Shark SS, Derby and Astra SP apart. If that's not the case and you get great shaves from all of them, count yourself lucky and blessed One of the things I hate the most about traditional wet shaving is the blade hunt. The hunt for the best blade.
FWIW, as a new shaver, I started with a Merkur blade (the one that came with my razor), and it was harsh. Tugged, cuts, blood loss. Switched to a Derby and it was much smoother, with much less blood loss. From there it was a no-name blade from my grocery store. No tugging, but it cut the HECK out of me. Finally, I've switched to a Personna, and it appears that this blade is a very good compromise. A bit of feedback, sharp, close, but no real weepers or cuts unless I slip.
10% of my shaves are great, 10% are terrible, the rest I would split between good and fair REGARDLESS of the blades, razors, soaps, cream or brushes. I do feel Feather is much sharper than Shark, but it does not necessarily mean I get better shaves with Feather.
And, for me, Voskhods are much smoother while Feathers are sharper. But, I get great shaves from both. Same smooth shave, same feeling on my face.
Try Zorrik blades. You'll notice a difference. Or Treet carbon blades- you'll notice a change on the second shave.
