So to prep myself for a "Blade Safari" thread I am starting tomorrow. I decided to give a new blade a try and attempt to log my findings just for practice. This was a horrible experience. I have had great DE shaves for a month now using the same setup every day. I tried a couple blades when I first started using my Merkur 34C, some great some not so much. After I tried around 4 blades, I decided to use up some cheap blades I picked up at the local grocery store. They weren't the very best blades I had tried but they were cheap and gave me a very good shave so I used them for the past couple weeks to hone my skill. Today all I changed was the blade. Same prep, same software, and same hardware other than a blade change. The results were so bad I didn't even try to finish my second pass. The BIC blade felt like pulling a dull 3 week old multi blade cartridge over my skin. There was more tugging than I have ever felt before including my days trying to extend the life of my dull mach3. Now I will say somehow I had no lasting irritation from this but also not a close shave at all. I am going to assume that blade was a dud and try a different one to "finish my shave" tonight. Has anyone else tried BIC platinums and if so how do you like them? Also what was your least favorite blade for your facial hair type so far? I know blade preference is vastly different from person to person. This is not to discourage others from any blade, just to get some back and forth banter about personal opinions/experiences with different blades. A demonstration of YMMV in action if you will. For my short DE shaving experience. (only 5 blades) My favorite is Astra SP Least Favorite as of today BIC Chrome Platinum
My least favorite is by far the dorco st301, but I was warned long before I tried it, so I only have myself to blame. My favorite so far is the persona lab and the perma-sharp, but I'm only a few blades into my sampler so far.
I agree Dorco ST301 is low on my list. I can manage to get 3 great shaves out of a blade, they just are not a comfortable shave for me. I find them kind of rough.
My favorite would be the mighty Feather, with Astra SPs be a very close second. Merkur blades are ,my least favorite.
I always hear people say Merkur blades are no good. I have only used one but I got great shaves out of it.
Depends on the razor for me. Optimum combos for me so far are the Weber PH/Gillette Silver Blue and the EJ DE89/Polsilver Super Iridium. Perma-Sharp Supers rank third choice for both razors. Blades I don't care for? Haven't found the proper use for Derby, Merkur or Astra SP yet.
My personel mileage: WORST by far ,Derby. BEST BBS , Gillette Silver Blue. One exception, Persona (cheap dolllar store) in my 1969 Gillette Super Adjustable, long handle. Derby still sucks in EVERYTHING I own
Least = Bic...I liken it to shaving with the ragged edge of a can top just removed with an old poorly manufactured can opener. Even the Derby and Dorko was better. It was in my first sampler. Got one out later thinking it might be better with technique improvement...nope. Favorite = Gillette 7 O'Clock yellow. Works great in everything. I know YMMV, but I can routinely get 6 very nice shaves out of one. It's the only blade I've made a bulk order for. Astras come in second place.
Worst-Astra SP, Israeli Personna, Crystal, Gillette 7 o'clock Blue. Best- Personna Lab/Med Prep, Blue Bird, Viking Sword, Polsiver SI, Feather.
That was kind of why I wanted to do this thread. I have seen so many people ask "what are the best blades to buy?" Then I also see so many people saying this blade or that blade is horrible while others say it is great. This was to show while my razor/skin type combo doesn't work for a specific blade others might find them to be the best blade.
I think the only thing MOST of us agree on is that Derby blades stink. But still, there are a few who will pick them over any other. Oh yea, YMMV
I haven't tried many but... Best: Voskhod, closely followed by Dorco Platinum Worst: Astra Superior Platinum No real opinion: Lord Platinum and 7 AM Hi Platinum
Love the Feathers in my Gillette Tech Could shave every day with Astra SPs in my EJ de89lbl Can load anything in my 74 Gillette SA
I had a feeling this is why you asked the question. This is why when a new wet shaver asked what blade to buy I always say "buy the largest sample pack you can get". Very good post.
Funny how the vintage stuff eats up just about anything with stellar results huh? My 69 SA loves the dollar store brand (personna's)
