DE Blades

I'm the exact opposite, I can and do use the DE blades and razors, but my true love will the "the original safety" razors. A good stainless steel GEM blade, or a super smooth PAL blade gives a much closer shave for me than most of the DE blades in the list!
To each their own, except those that molest the Williams!

 

To address the original question.

(1) Feather - most razors
(2) Gillette Silver Blue - shavette
(3) everything else - not equipment dependent

 

Wow, just three? This I cannot answer. I can answer which blades I don't like in order of least to worst dislike;

1. Dorco ST300
2. Derby Extra
3. Derby Lion

For SE blades I only have one, but it's no big deal. I put them in my scrapper;

1. Dorco Pace

Every other blade I use in my DE works just fine. I have gotten my lather game down and my technique down to where I can get almost any blade to work. I suppose my Top 3 Blades right now are;

1. Dorco Prime
2. Derby Usta
3. Gillette Nacet

For my SE I only have one favorite, and that's because it's the only one I've used so far besides mistakenly trying the Dorco Pace;

1. GEM PTFE

 

And that's why TSD doesn't have a dedicated forum for DE, or even SE blade discussion. While folks develop an affection for certain blades generally when technique is well developed the choice of blade (or even blade holder) becomes less of a factor to getting efficient nick free beard reduction.

I see it as a bell curve with three divisions. There's Feather at one end, unusable blades at the other, and a big group in the middle. For a New Shaver it looks daunting. Best advice I have is view what others are using & try a 5 blade tuck. After using each blade only three times (to avoid dullness) toss it, install the next from that pack. Fifteen shaves from one brand gives Focus as to if those work for you. If they don't feel as good as others, don't write em off just yet. Try that brand again a year later and they just might feel better. Not that the blades have changed, but the operator will have a better understanding of their blade holder preferences, lathering skill, and overall shaving technique.

 

Hence the reason for the 30 day crew!

 

Wilkinson Sword: Used them for many years, I think since I stopped using using Gillette Blues, always gave me great shaves in my Slim, still use them.
Astra SP: Fairly sharp blade, use them in my less aggressive razors.
Crystal: Nice smooth and sharp blade fairly close to the Israeli Reds, maybe a bit sharper.

 

My favorites are feather and the Voskhod. Both give me a close, smooth shave, with Feather being the better of the 2.

 

There is no need for a lot of choice. Just saying.

On a side note...you need to try the Pho place in front of the Target out by the Casinos....outstanding.


As to the DE blade question as long as the blade is sharp enough to shave it does not matter. A dollar store low end Dorco shaves just as close as a Feather...and is not as harsh...and last longer... and cost less.

The difference in blades is so small it amounts to nothing.

I can not play along as I have no favorites.

 

That makes sense. If the SE blades are in that Good Enough, or even better Great Blades category there's no need for a bunch of labels.

"LA Pho"? I'll try em out. There's always a hazard to checking out new restaurants. When I discover something I like, I'll have to learn how to cook it at home.

 

That is how I think about the blades.

Yup that is the one. I was blown away. They make the noodles I think. The chicken broth was great. My sister said the bone broth rocked too.

 

Sampler packs make no sense for newbies.

You won't find better blades than your list.

 

1. Gillette Platinum - Because it is the best blade in my Edwin Jagger DE89 razor
2. Gillette Rubie Platinum Plus - Because it is the best blade in my Gillette Slim adjustable razor
3. Gillette Wilkinson Sword (India) - Because it works very well in every razor for me

For the sampler pack, I would say:

1. Astra Superior Platinum
2. Feather Hi-Stainless
3. Polsilver Super Iridium
4. Any two other blades

The first three blades seem to work well for a great many guys, based on forum comments over the years. Four and five can be anything really, as most wetshavers will try more than five blades eventually. But like @Bama Samurai said, sampler packs aren't really helpful for newbies. It is more develop your shaving technique with a single blade type until you get consistently good shaves. Then you will be able to properly evaluate other blades.

You can put your own sampler pack together by simply buying individual packs of blades. Try A Blade has a huge variety of different blades. They sell them in packs, as individual blades, and some in bulk.

 

gillette silver blue,nacet ,platinum, and vintage super stainless(spoilers) are my go to blades for all of my gillette razors..fantastic shaves..

 

Inverse says they make perfect sense for the experienced.

I agree. One can challenge their own abilities.

 

Wizamet/PolSilver Super Iridium
Gillette Bleue Extra
Treet Black Beauties/Astra Superior Platinum (Tied for 3rd)

 

1. Voskhod
2. Ladas super stainless
3. Supermax Blue Diamond titanium coated
These blades are a perfect balance of sharp and smooth. Sharp enough to cut stubble; smooth enough not to cause much if any damage. If I were to make a sampler pack I’d include these 5 packs of blades.
Voskhod
Shark super stainless
Gillette Platinum
Rapira Platinum Lux
Feather