Worst thus far: 1) Astras 2) Derbys. I can't pinpoint the reason (dulling too quickly?) and perhaps need to try them in all my razors, prior to publicly voicing my contempt:think002. You all are going to think I'm crazy:whacky098, but some of the best shaves I have had thus far (most recently in a Fat Handled Tech) have come from blades that I purchased at my local Navy Exchange (BX/PX/military department store). They are packaged as "Exchange Brand" and are manufactured by ASRC and I believe are essentially American Personnas (platinum-coated version). As always, different strokes...
Well I had previously voted for the Derbys being one of my worst blades but I just got a great shave with one in my Krona. Best shave with the Krona yet. I've found the Krona to be a tad aggressive for my face but this seems to be a nice combo. Could just be a fluke though since the Derbys seem to be inconsistent.
In my finite experience, It would have to be between Derby's (The newer style with perpendicular writing), and Lord blades. The Derby's cut me to shreds, and I threw out the rest of the 5-pack after 1/2 a shave. The Rainbow (Lord) blades were bad as they didn't even attempt to cut my stubble, and the Silver Star reminded me more of the Derby-style face mauler....it just skipped and chattered across it. I would have previously said German-Wilkinsons as they were awful in my Slim Adjustable, but they are actually the best performer so far in my EJ 89.
Contrary to what many in this thread have said, I've had great luck with both the "free" Merkur blade that came with my Futur, and the replacement pack I bought with the razor. I tried some Kai blades off e-bay and am convinced they must have been knock-offs! My nail clippers are Kai from over a decade ago and still going strong. I've also got a few Kai kitchen knives that my friend in Japan bring over from time to time. Both are very sharp. But the "Kai" ones off e-bay were awful. Felt like 100 tiny tweezers trying to pluck the hairs rather then cut them.
No doubt it was the Merkur that came with my Merkur HD! And for my SE it was some kind of Treet blade.
This thread has been a big help I have always had a bad rash/messed up my face every time I have used a Derby or Merkur blade. I thought it was just me and my shaving tecnique so every now and again I have gone back to them then again in a different razor etc etc. as it seems lots of others have the same issues I will just bin them
For me (even though I have only tried 3 kinds) I'd say feathers are the worst. Huge irritation was caused
I really don't like Astra's and Bluebirds. I always get a rough shave when using these blades, especially from the Astra's.
I touched on this in a recent shave of the day post, but thought I'd revisit it here. Currently I'm on blade four of the pack, and have just gotten two great shaves with it. I'll throw it away after tomorrow, but that's just a blade rotation thing. The moral is, don't take anybody's word for it that brand X blades are either good or bad. Don't even take your own word for it.
