Gillette razor comparison ( the ones I have anyway)

In a different thread the comparison between the Gillette Silver Blue and the Gillette Platinum was brought up. I happen to own a tuck of each so I decided I would compare the two just to see if I can tell a difference.

Then it hit me, why not compair all the Gillette blades I own ?

I know there are many more blades out there, these are just the ones I have on hand. If I come across any additional I will test them out as well.

So Here are the blades in the order they will be tested.

Silver Blue - Russia
Platinum - Russia
7 o'clock Super Platinum - Russia
Rubie Platinum Plus - Russia
7 o'clock Super Platinum - India
Stainless - Russia
Nacet Stainless - ?
7 o'clock Super Stainless - Russia
7 o'clock SharpEdge - Russia
Sputnik Teflon -Russia

 

Awesome my fellow Russian enthusiast. Good luck on your endeavor @NapalmCola , and keep us updated! I have tried all of them except the Sputnik and Gillette red box.

 

Red rider has posted a list of all the blades and there factories throughout Russia. Wow, there are alot. It looks like I will be trying out various brands and trying to see if there are any similarities between any that are named differently but made in the same factory.
I will definitely be having to get more blades.

I will probably have to divide them into groups. Gillette first then Rapira etc.

 

The Nacet blades are produced in Russia as well. I'll be interested to see your results and think you will find that even though many of these blades are made in the same factory, they are very different. At least I came to that conclusion. YMMV.

 

I have tried the Nacet before and found them to be wonderfully smooth AND sharp. I do not recall them being harsh or ill mannered in any way

 

I did not know that the Sputnik was a Gillette blade.

 

Love Nacets.

 

From what I've gathered and on the box it is made in the Gillette factory in Moscow. Same as the Nancet. I should up date my first post and specify where in Russia.

I am trying the Gillette brands first then the Gillette St. Petersburg factory made regardless of name . Then Moscow factory, India then Vietnam etc.

 

Looking forward to the test. I've never tried a Gillette DE blade.

 

If your interested I would be happy so send you a few. Just shoot me a pm and we can figure out which ones you would like to try out.

 

@NapalmCola I started the thread regarding the two Russian factories because I am also curious about how these blades vary and noticed while many blades that they came from only two plants.
I've only tried Astra SP and Voskhod (ok one Rapira with bunch). I really should have ordered a variety pack instead of 100's like I did.
Looking forward to the results.

 

For me of the ones I've tried, in order of closeness: black, silver blue, green, nacet. The silver blues are the only ones that left me with zero irritation.

 

Thank you so much, that's so kind. PM incoming.

 

Don't be to hard on yourself, I have a bunch of different blades and am thinking it would be nice to have a large amount of the ones I really like. The Voshkods are a great blade. The Astra SP, I haven't found a razor that likes them yet.

 

Blades are so personal. To me, the Astra SP is far from a great blade in anything, but is pretty okay in everything.

 

I second that, we are definitely the minority for some reason on this one. There is so much praise for this blade for this period of time anyway. I'm sure there have been others in the past that came and went same as what will happen to this one. Then the next will take its place.
But as for me, I've given them a real try. I want to like them , heck there cheap. And trendy at the moment
But they just don't do it for me compared to the other blades out there. Good thing YMMV, or there would be shortage of the blade we all like the most.

 

Let the games begin !!

Well in truth I'm running behind by four shaves. But I will fix that later.

In order to minimize the variables I will be using my:
Gillette Blue Tip 1955 (A-4)
Bestshave #6 horse hair brush
C.O. Bigelow -soap
PAA Alum block
Humphrey's witch hazel
Nivea -cooling post shave balm sensitive
The one thing that will change is the AS . I have to have some variety. Besides it's after the shave anyway right ?

Following this initial post will be the first two days then the 3rd and 4th so I can be caught up for tomorrow. Hopefully, maybe it will be easier to do two at a time ? We shall see.

 

Day 1 : Gillette Silver Blue

WTG, XTG & ATG + touch ups
AS- Aqua Velva Ice Blue

A great smooth irritation free shave. I have to agree with the majority out there, this is an amazing balance of sharp and smooth.
If I have to try and use a numbering system I don't want to jump to conclusions and say 10 out of 10 this early. That would be a BBS without the need for touch ups.

This gets a solid 9

 

Day two: Gillette Platinum
WTG, XTG, ATG + touch ups
AS- Barbasol Brisk

Very difficult to tell a difference between this one and the Silver Blue. Both are sharp and smooth. The only noticeable difference was that after the 3rd pass there wasn't much left to touch up.
Was it due to a slightly sharper blade ? Was it due to my improving technique with the razor ?
These are more expensive than the Silver Blues. But if price was not an issue I would rate the Platinum at a 9.25

 

Day 3: Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum
AS- Skin Bracer Original

Are these things made in the same factory as the previous two ? According to the tuck they came out of they are. But my face and neck would have to disagree. They are sharp, but not smooth for me. A nick on my left jaw line and a few mixed in with the horrible irritation on my neck.

I had to use my styptic and multiple layers of the Nivea AS balm. I actually got desperate enough to use my wifes hand creme .

I know ymmv, but for me there are a 6.

They are sharp and they get the job done. But they are not smooth enough for my skin.