My new view on Astra blades

[ki11ak3nn]

Alright well in the past I've said I wasn't a big fan of Astra's. They've just never worked for me. No matter how much prep I did and no matter which soap/cream I used. The blades just didn't seem sharp enough or just gave me an irritating shave. Well I'm still on the first box I got from my sampler pack from WCS a while ago and I finally used the 4th blade in the pack a few days a go because I'm out of my beloved Derby's and I don't want to get the generic Rite-Aid brand blades.

Well I have to say I think my view has changed!! My past 3 shaves have been amazing. No tug and pull. No irritation. Everything was great. I felt a little tug this past shave.....so I'm gonna try for 1 more shave with it then go for the last blade in the box. I hope I didn't just get one good blade out of pack of 5. I'm a man that likes consistency.

Wish me luck on my Astra adventure!!

[nav]

Astra is a great blade! It is not that sharp but its pretty smooth and good for a daily blade. Ofcourse, the Feather blade gives much better results (slightly closer and longer lasting BBS) but I find the Astra perfectly fine for a daily blade.

[onotoman]

I've found with Astras (at least the ones I get from Turkey) that they don't stay sharp for more than about 3 shaves - with my Derby or Perma-Sharp, I easily get 7 shaves but the Astra is only good for 3 - 3 good shaves, but only 3 max.

[rm71]

Are you using the Superior Platinum or Super Stainless?

[Sledgehammer39]

I have used both Astra SP and SS, but I find that I get more shaves with the cheaper Astra SS. I suspect if you are using an Astra pack from WCS that it is the Astra SP.

[ki11ak3nn]

Yeah I'm using the Superior Platinum. I love my Derby's. I get amazing shaves from them. I just haven't had the cash/forgot to order some more. I was thinking of getting a 100 pack next time I order them. But onotoman I think you're right I can only get about 3 good shaves out of Astra's.

[RazoRock]

I can get 10-12 shaves out of an Astra Plat PPI.

[hometownhero]

I can easily get 4 shaves from an astra sp. But like everything ymmv. with the derby's i had i got 3-4 but they wernt as smooth as astra's

[jmg]

Like most, I get 2-3 shaves with Astra SP's. These blades give a great, close, comfortable shave.

[Codfish]

I recently bought a box of Astra SP's--a first-time experience for me. I've read a lot about them and they were on sale at Amazon ($5 per 100).

I tried them in three of my razors over the past three days, and have to say I'm impressed. I've been looking for something to replace my Iridium Supers, which are getting more expensive and harder to find, and I finally found something that works as well for me.

I find the Astra's to be sharp, smooth and comfortable, and they give great results. I think I've found my replacement blade!

Codfish

[Natohog]

Has anyone ever purchased Astras from Amazon.com?

[Codfish]

Has anyone ever purchased Astras from Amazon.com?

I did, about 10 days ago. They were on sale for $5.00 per hundred, though the stock was almost gone. Fast service, too. I just looked and they are still there.

Codfish

[Natohog]

I thought I ordered the last one in stock last night. Hahaha... Good to know thanks for the info.

[iphone529]

I am going through my sampler right now and i feel like Astra SP blades are the way to go, very smooth shaves, they are certainly not the sharpest blades, but they give me a very close shave and are just good to me.

[ki11ak3nn]

Derby's and Feather's have been my blades of choice. The first time I tried Feather's I didn't feel the blade on my face. But once I looked in the sink I saw hair!! I don't use Feather's when I have a few shave bumps on my face though. I don't need anymore blood shed. But Derby's are my everyday blade. Until I find something better to replace them.

[theagent]

I recently bought a box of Astra SP's--a first-time experience for me. I've read a lot about them and they were on sale at Amazon ($5 per 100).

I tried them in three of my razors over the past three days, and have to say I'm impressed. I've been looking for something to replace my Iridium Supers, which are getting more expensive and harder to find, and I finally found something that works as well for me.

I find the Astra's to be sharp, smooth and comfortable, and they give great results. I think I've found my replacement blade!

Codfish

$15 after shipping though right? Because the 100 pack has been $15.25 and free prime shipping for a while. Good deal all the same.

[kiwichris]

Yeah I'm using the Superior Platinum. I love my Derby's. I get amazing shaves from them. I just haven't had the cash/forgot to order some more. I was thinking of getting a 100 pack next time I order them. But onotoman I think you're right I can only get about 3 good shaves out of Astra's.


I can get 10-12 shaves out of an Astra Plat PPI.

I'm consistently getting 6 shaves out of each Astra SP - on the 7th shave it starts to cut a bit - but for about 10c per blade I'll happily change it more often if I have to.

[Patrik]

Alright well in the past I've said I wasn't a big fan of Astra's. They've just never worked for me. No matter how much prep I did and no matter which soap/cream I used. The blades just didn't seem sharp enough or just gave me an irritating shave.

I had the exact same experience with the Astra SP's for my first few months of DE shaving and gave up on them for a while. Then one day, I decided to give them another go and got an incredible shave. A few blades later, I bought 100. Definitely one of my top five blades.

One Astra SP easily lasts me at least five two-pass shaves.

[El Judio Bravo]

Astra Plats are, it seems to me, shaping up to be the new Iridium.

And even at US $0.15 apiece you can throw 'em out after three uses and not feel so terrible.

[SmallyetDeadly]

I am working my way through my first 5 Astra SP blades.I am pretty new to the DE routine but even after 3 shaves with the SP I can judge it superior to the Merkur blades I have been using prior.

Quite possibly my best DE shave yet this morning although I got a couple of weepers on my neck just at the end. Not the blades fault, I just tried something new that didn't come off.

The Astra is very smooth and inspired me with confidence. I think I took 5mins off my 3 pass shave with this blade.

I am waiting for my sample pack of blads to lob in but it will take a very good performer to challenge the Astra SP when you factor in the pricing.

This blade gets a :thumbup1: from me.

[demaro]

I have an Astra in my Merkur 38c now , wow !! what a shave >:thumbup1:

[fisherbln]

I've tried probably 12 different blades at this point and I keep coming back to the Astra SP. I love this blade!

[sas71]

Alright well in the past I've said I wasn't a big fan of Astra's. They've just never worked for me. No matter how much prep I did and no matter which soap/cream I used. The blades just didn't seem sharp enough or just gave me an irritating shave. Well I'm still on the first box I got from my sampler pack from WCS a while ago and I finally used the 4th blade in the pack a few days a go because I'm out of my beloved Derby's and I don't want to get the generic Rite-Aid brand blades.

Well I have to say I think my view has changed!! My past 3 shaves have been amazing. No tug and pull. No irritation. Everything was great. I felt a little tug this past shave.....so I'm gonna try for 1 more shave with it then go for the last blade in the box. I hope I didn't just get one good blade out of pack of 5. I'm a man that likes consistency.

Wish me luck on my Astra adventure!!

this sounds like the pack i had. 3 blades were just plain painful to use but the other 2 blades were fine.

[dalew]

I bought 100 Astra SS from Amazon and I am getting 6 shaves to the blade with a heavy beard.

[inspiringK]

The more I wet shave the more I appreciate the Astras. This is the first blade that I go to if I know I need to shave every day and it needs to be BBS.
:thumbup1:
If you want a great reduction blade, some of the more aggressive blades might be better, but IMHO these provide the best combination of smooth and sharp.

[rbtsmpsn]

The Astra Plats give me on of the smoothest shaves. I used in my Merkur Progress and had to double check that my razor wasn't set to 1.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I was thinking Derby's were the way to go and bought 100----about a month later I ordered 100 Astra SP's---holy smokes what a great shave and just bought 200 more.

Hoping my new slant will be a good vessel for the Derby's to use them up---cause they're just sittin there now.

[zamanakhan]

i love astra's first blade that i used, I compare my first shave to every other shave. I got a bbs very first shave it was sooooo smooth and good and so comfortabe the first shave that i was litterally laughing at how easiy and smooth it was to get bbs with astras. My 2nd try with the red persona's didnt go so well, man i hate that blade... I tried lord this morning and i gotta say not too bad either but stay away from persona's. (althought they might work for ya, they are recommended on the forum)

[gdollard]

i love astra's first blade that i used, I compare my first shave to every other shave. I got a bbs very first shave it was sooooo smooth and good and so comfortabe the first shave that i was litterally laughing at how easiy and smooth it was to get bbs with astras. My 2nd try with the red persona's didnt go so well, man i hate that blade... I tried lord this morning and i gotta say not too bad either but stay away from persona's. (althought they might work for ya, they are recommended on the forum)

I hear ya about Personna blades. My first ever DE shave was with a Personna and it wasn't enjoyable. I'm still in sample mode and after a very successful run with Gillette 7 O'Clock Green I think I'll try Astra next.
With some experience under my belt I will try another Personna and see if things go any better.

I love being in sample mode! Trying new blades is great, and I still have the mighty Feather to look forward to :001_smile

[zamanakhan]

I hear ya about Personna blades. My first ever DE shave was with a Personna and it wasn't enjoyable. I'm still in sample mode and after a very successful run with Gillette 7 O'Clock Green I think I'll try Astra next.
With some experience under my belt I will try another Personna and see if things go any better.

I love being in sample mode! Trying new blades is great, and I still have the mighty Feather to look forward to :001_smile

still in sample mode my self actually, i've only tried the 3 blades and even then i can tell how much superior the astra's are to persona's. I am not sure if i should go on with feather or derby next. I somewhat know that feathers will be smooth, they are so highly talked about. But again i have had a razor and creams that everyone loves that didnt work too well for me.

[Bestarrkin]

Astra SP, Perma-Sharp Super and Feather blades are so good to excellent. However I have not used Red Personna, Super Iridium and Gillette Bleue.

[LuckyR]

Alright well in the past I've said I wasn't a big fan of Astra's. They've just never worked for me. No matter how much prep I did and no matter which soap/cream I used. The blades just didn't seem sharp enough or just gave me an irritating shave. Well I'm still on the first box I got from my sampler pack from WCS a while ago and I finally used the 4th blade in the pack a few days a go because I'm out of my beloved Derby's and I don't want to get the generic Rite-Aid brand blades.

Well I have to say I think my view has changed!! My past 3 shaves have been amazing. No tug and pull. No irritation. Everything was great. I felt a little tug this past shave.....so I'm gonna try for 1 more shave with it then go for the last blade in the box. I hope I didn't just get one good blade out of pack of 5. I'm a man that likes consistency.

Wish me luck on my Astra adventure!!

Clearly something changed, you're just not sure what. I have had similar experiences with just about all blades, to the point that it is becoming clear to me that a lot of the differences between blades isn't the blades but my evolving skill in the prep and the shave.

Nowadays when I get a new box of blades I will use one then put it in the rotation because the shave with it is likely to change over time.

[Zarba]

Has anyone ever purchased Astras from Amazon.com?
$26 for 200 SP's on eBay, shipped from Turkey. Ordered on Feb 14, arrived today!

I LOVE the Platinums, they seem much smoother than Derbys for my face. YMMV

I'm now up to 300 Derbys and 300 Astra SP's in the Shavepocalypse Bunker.

I'll be loading up the FatBoy tomorrow morning.

***UPDATE***

I've decided NOT to PIF the FatBoy after using an Astra SP. Set at 3. Wonderful, close comfortable shave.

[rm71]

$26 for 200 SP's on eBay, shipped from Turkey. Ordered on Feb 14, arrived today!



Can you post the vendor please?

[dalew]

Can you post the vendor please?

I can help you. http://stores.ebay.com/Bestshave?_trksid=p4340.l2563

I paid $31.89 U.S. dollars for 300 Astra Platinums shipped included.

[Zarba]

i've tried probably 12 different blades at this point and i keep coming back to the astra sp. I love this blade!
+1

[Zarba]

I can help you. http://stores.ebay.com/Bestshave?_trksid=p4340.l2563

I paid $31.89 U.S. dollars for 300 Astra Platinums shipped included.
Dang. should have waited for that one!

[rm71]

Are the Astra SP from Bestshave authentic at that price?

[Zarba]

Are the Astra SP from Bestshave authentic at that price?
Yes. I've ordered Derbys and Astras from this vendor with excellent results. Fast shipping.

[dalew]

Are the Astra SP from Bestshave authentic at that price?

I would not know if they are not authentic....nothing to compare to.

They shave just fine. 5 shaves at least for my heavy beard. 2 passes and a touch up.

[rm71]

Yes. I've ordered Derbys and Astras from this vendor with excellent results. Fast shipping.

Thanks, placing an order for sure. With the Aussie dollar at 102 US this is an absolute bargin!!

[4hits]

Clearly something changed, you're just not sure what. I have had similar experiences with just about all blades, to the point that it is becoming clear to me that a lot of the differences between blades isn't the blades but my evolving skill in the prep and the shave.

Nowadays when I get a new box of blades I will use one then put it in the rotation because the shave with it is likely to change over time.

I've been DE shaving for close to 5 years now...and sometimes I still suck at it. :angry:

Tonight I shave with my 1921 New Improved and an Astra SP beginning its third shave. After going XTG (upwards) on my upper lip...well, let's just say there's not enough plural in "weeperssssssss" to describe the humanity.

I am trying so very hard not to blame the Astra, but great googily moogily...

By the way, a little shout out to Queen Charlotte Soaps Basilica cream. While bleeding like a stuck pig I could not get over the wonderful scent of this cream...and a wonderful shave it was...except of course for the bloodletting on my upper lip.

[ki11ak3nn]

Well I had another shave with another one of my original Astra sample pack blades. And the shave was totally different than the good shave I got with the Astra in my first post. And I did the same prep that I always do. Got a few weepers, no razor burn though. I'm going to keep trying the Astra's until my pack runs out. Actually I think that I only have one more blade after the one I'm using........so I hope it's a good blade. I need consistent blades.

[Sir Ronald]

I've tried the Astra SP's many times and they usually give me weepers on my neck.

the Astra SS's on the other hand I find to be the perfect blend of sharpness/smoothness. they always give me an irritation free shave. they're my go-to blade,
they never let me down.

[DFrancis]

I've tried the Astra SP's many times and they usually give me weepers on my neck.

the Astra SS's on the other hand I find to be the perfect blend of sharpness/smoothness. they always give me an irritation free shave. they're my go-to blade,
they never let me down.

It's the opposite for me, the SS's tear me up and the SP's give me a great shave. Blades are the main thing for YMMV. :laugh:

[rm71]

I've tried the Astra SP's many times and they usually give me weepers on my neck.

the Astra SS's on the other hand I find to be the perfect blend of sharpness/smoothness. they always give me an irritation free shave. they're my go-to blade,
they never let me down.

This guy has 400 Astra SS for $39.24 shipped.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Bestshave

[JoshuaA]

I'm getting great results for two shaves with Asta SPs, but then the third shave is usually pretty dodgy. Same thing with Israelis. My next project is to compare Israelis and Astras side by side to see if the Astras are worth the price difference, since Israelis are dirt cheap. I'm also about to try out Feathers. Eventually I'd like to settle on a blade and I'd like for it to be the Crystals since .10 a blade would allow me to replace after 2 shaves without it feeling extravagent. But if I'm getting superior results from Astras and/or Feathers, I'll bite the bullet.

[matthew_calise]

im relativly still "green", I have about 14 shaves under my belt, 2 with the astra as of late, but still seems sharp. I would admit they are fantastic i dont know if it is me starting to get into my grove in de shaving in general, or the blade but i had my FIRST nick free and neck burn free shave with this blade. It might just be dumb luck that i fell into my groove whilst using this blade or it could be just one fantastic blade period.

P.S. before the astra i used
1.lord ss
2.lord platinum
3.balzano supirior (great shaves but i think too sharp for my leval)
4.astra sp

[Sir Ronald]

It's the opposite for me, the SS's tear me up and the SP's give me a great shave. Blades are the main thing for YMMV. :laugh:

ain't that the truth!


This guy has 400 Astra SS for $39.24 shipped.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Bestshave

what a bargain! if only I didn't have 700 or so blades sitting in my bathroom cupboard... :laugh:

[dalew]

Astra SS works for me in the 37C.

[rm71]

what a bargain! if only I didn't have 700 or so blades sitting in my bathroom cupboard... :laugh:

700? You are getting dangerously low on blades mate. Time to stock up:lol:

[mr_raider]

Just switched to Astra SP after 2 months of Merkur platinum. It's a much smoother shave, and maybe even closer.

How do these compare to Derbys? I have box of both sitting around.

[Sir Ronald]

700? You are getting dangerously low on blades mate. Time to stock up:lol:

you're right! 14 years worth of blades just isn't enough :w00t:

[ki11ak3nn]

Just switched to Astra SP after 2 months of Merkur platinum. It's a much smoother shave, and maybe even closer.

How do these compare to Derbys? I have box of both sitting around.

Derbys are wonderful. They're my personal blade of choice. Just the right amount of sharpness and smoothness. But as always YMMV. But I would say try they them out if u have a box laying around. You never know they just might be your new favorite blade.

[kiwichris]

700? You are getting dangerously low on blades mate. Time to stock up:lol:

I laughed my head off when I read this! Great comment which demonstrates the AD nature of B&B! Love it! :lol:

[rm71]

you're right! 14 years worth of blades just isn't enough :w00t:

Ahh, that's my boy:thumbup1:

[mr_raider]

The packaging is ghetto. No box to dispose of used razors...