Gillette Silver Blue

Blades seem to be the extreme example of the YMMV concept. When I was learning DE technique, only Teflon coated blades seemed to work well with my skin type and novice skill. Not addressing your situation directly here, but in my case, as my techniques improved, I found just about any blade could provide a decent shave. The comment about short blade life is a new one to me per GSB, but I don't know enough about your experience (razor, angle, pressure, prep, skin type, skill level) to have any insight as to why your experience was so different. Please interpret my comments here as merely an expression of my experience, not a verdict on blades. I interact with many newer DE guys here, and always try to impress upon them that YMMV in wet shaving, and the goal should always be to find a blade/setup/style that results in comfort and enjoyment. As an aside, I desperately wanted to love Astra SP ($10/100, major forum fave), but I just can't. They don't like my face. Shaving is quite individually unique.

 

I'm not at all new to using a DE. (Three years using DE exclusively.) I've used all sorts of blades and never had this experience. RMV certainly applies here.
I, on the other hand, am a proponent of the Astra SP. I should buy stock in that manufacturer.

 

Do you rotate razor models frequently?

 

I have used them in both of my razors, if that is what you are asking. EJ de86 and Merkur 34c.

 

I find Voskhod and GSB to be equivalent, I used them in Utopia 3pc for over seventy consecutive days, similar in head geometry to the razors you have. My skin seems to be sensitive to coating. Platinum and SS blades exfoliate my skin too much. Learning on soft teflon versus hard metal, in conjunction with shallow blade-high handle angle technique and method based strokes have taught me to use pressure against the skin. The amount of pressure I use actually deforms the topography of my skin, simultaneously presenting the blade to enlarged surface area at a more consistent stroke depth. Teflon is the key for me, other coatings require much less pressure in this technique, making most of them too unforgiving in my case.

 

That does not explain my results then. I have no trouble with Pt blades. I do avoid uncoated stainless because I have a Ni allergy. Come to think of it, that might be the problem for me with GSBs. They are stainless and the coating maybe wearing off which would explain why the second day is so much worse. Eureka! I think we're on to something.

 

Wow that's weird. I was just telling my barber how much I was impressed with the GSB blade. The small sampler pack I had has been sittin in my den for months and I just tried them out for the first time a few days ago. I'm definitely placing a big order for them soon.

 

What he said. I had to strop these a lot to keep them going in my Slim. They work, but aren't as comfortable as other blades for me. Haven't tried them in a ton of razors.

 

GSB's are also my top blades, with Voskhods coming in a close second.

Silver/Blues are my baseline blade. They work great in everything for me, so they are always the first to go into a new razor. The Voskhods work equally well until I hit the most aggressive category of razors, then they feel a bit less smooth than the GSB's

All blades are at best, three and out for me, no matter what the other variables are....