Curious as to what the forum thinks. Edit: For anyone who's been living under a rock, Russia launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine last night. Edit 2: At least 02/22/22 will be an easy date to remember for the history students. I feel like I'm living in one of those times that will be referred to in the history books as "these events proved to be the opening stages of the beginning of a wider conflict..." Edit 3: fun fact for astrology buffs. Feb. 22 was also the first Pluto return in 248 years. It's when Pluto is in the same astrological position it was when it was first observed at the founding of something. In this instance, July 4th, 1776. More info: https://www.reddit.com/r/Superstonk..._one/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
I'm not sure either of the Russian blade companies will be sanctioned directly but most industry in Russia is owned by an oligarch, so they may be. Cutting off Russian banks from the rest of the world and freezing Russian assets outside Russia could easily reduce production and exports even without targeted sanctions. Does Gillette actually own PPI? If so, maybe they move it out of Russia? That could slow production down a while. I picked no because they'll be available for a long time in the shoebox in my closet.
I voted no because I have a massive collection of various Russian blades from various Gillette’s and Rapira’s; I’m good on blades that way. Blade availability may become harder in the future for Russian made blades but right now many U.S. sellers have plenty of them.
If this is drawn out, I imagine that sanctions will make it more difficult and expensive once in country supplies are exhausted.
i voted no but they could get more expensive..at least for a while.there may be some who depend on imported blade sales to up prices as stocks diminish.
Based on current events, I am inclined to think they may become less available. Many factors in the current situation can combine to affect exports.
I voted Yes, but not for the reasons given. I expect sanctions to directly affect both price and availability. Also, I expect many people's political views to be sharpened by the current situation and for those views to affect their purchasing decisions. This would, in turn, affect decisions made all along the supply chain. None of this would affect me, as I have sufficient blades overall to last as long as needed.
Perhaps, but personally I find the differences between blades to be smaller and more subtle than forum comments would have you believe. The closest I come to panic buying decisions of any product is when a product I really like is discontinued by the manufacturer.
I live in Florida and panic buying is always a problem in advance of any adverse events, usually a hurricane. The last time one came close there was no gas to be had for days, not because there was less but because everyone was panic buying it. Now I tend to stock up in advance, not so much because of the event itself but because of people's reaction to it. I am generalizing here but my guess is that if there is in fact any type of shortage that it will be because of panic buying. I could be completely wrong of course but that's been my experience.
I am clueless of which blades are made in russia or ukraine. I assume voskod are. I havent bought blades in a couple of years and havent made a dent in my stock. Lol people keep giving me blades when i buy razors! I havent even figured out which blades i like best.
No blades are made by Ukraine. There are 2 factories in Russia, Gillette ZAO Petersburg and JSC Mostochlegmash. Via St. Petersburg by Gillette/ZAO Petersburg Int. Gillette Silver Blue (light blue) Gillette Platinum (dark blue) Gillette Rubie Platinum Perma-Sharp Iridium super Astra Super Stainless (blue) Astra Super Platinum (green) Sputnik Polsilver Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Stainless (green) Gillette 7 O’Clock Sharp Edge (yellow) Nacet Via Moscow by JSC Mostochlegmash : Voskhod Rapira Platinum Lux Rapira Swedish Supersteel Rapira Stainless Chrome Rapira Super Stainless Ladas Sharp Star
With all of the sanctions in place now, it is unlikely that any Russian manufactured items will be available for much longer. Since there are many excellent blades available from other countries, that is of little concern. India has many top-notch blades, so does Personna, and SOTRACO in Egypt. It is not like 15 years ago when Merkur, Dorco and Personna store branded blades were it. I bought 100 Gillette Platinum blades, about 4 months ago if I recall correctly. That should last me just under 2 years, not that I really care anymore. I won't be buying Russian blades again unless things change dramatically. That is morality, not politics. What razor blade I use is trivial by comparison. What difference would that make? If people can't get one razor blade brand, they can get another. Nobody absolutely has to have that ONE razor blade, or that one anything. There are 100+ different double-edge blades available today.
None of the sanctions affect blades, as far as I know. All of the sanctions have also carefully avoided oil and gas and Russian banks linked to oil and gas (even the European sanctions). The U.S. has imported approx. 20 million barrels of oil from Russia each month, and continues to do so as of the writing of this post. Regardless of one's personal politics or beliefs, I don't see the potential closure of two plants that produce some of the best DE blades on the planet as a good thing.
Gillette owns 65 percent of PPI and has management control; the remaining 35 percent is owned by Leninets, a leading Russian manufacturer. As for moving PPI, I'm sure that would be difficult. Gillette has spent the last 10 years or so buying up the remaining blade production lines in Europe and has moved them all to St. Petersburg. As you can imagine, new DE blade production lines are not just something you can order off the shelf. India is the only country that I know of that has recently invested in DE blade production facilities, primarily for the internal domestic market, as are all Indian DE blades. Russian blades too, are primarily sold in Russia, despite their U.S. popularity. The production lines in St. Petersburg are for the most part, around 100 years old, and some of it is rumored to be original Gillette production lines from Boston, or from one of the other Gillette factories around the world. The old Polsilver Iridium line is one of those 100 year old production lines, run by leather belts.