sharper blade than Derby's

[gse123]

I have been using Derbys for my last few shaves but am not finding them sharp enough - even compared to the standard Merkur blades I got with my Futur.

I have received a sample pack with Treet, Wilkinson Sword, Nacet and a couple of different Gillette blades. Can anyone clarify which of those are sharper than Derbys?

Unfortunately I cannot seem to find anyone in the UK that sells Feathers :frown:

Many thanks in advance, you helpful bunch :closedeye

[Newfie]

I'm still quite new to this, but I believe the Derby IS the sharpest blade next to a Feather. Also, while I do like Merkur blades, I believe Derby's are quite a bit sharper.

[boboakalfb]

Not sure what Gillettes you have there. Swedish Gillettes seem to be between Feathers and Derbys in terms of sharpness. My take on it anyway...

[Austin]

If you can find them, you may consider Crystal blades. They are a tad sharper than Derbys but not sharper than Feathers. I believe Crystal blades are the same as Israeli Personnas.

[suffolksupplies]

I would put the pack in this order for sharpness.

Wilkinson
Merkur
Nacet
Derby
Treet
Gillette Platinum
Silver Blue

Paul

[gse123]

I would put the pack in this order for sharpness.

Wilkinson
Merkur
Nacet
Derby
Treet
Gillette Platinum
Silver Blue

Paul

Thanks!

[Newfie]

Not sure what Gillettes you have there. Swedish Gillettes seem to be between Feathers and Derbys in terms of sharpness. My take on it anyway...

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[boboakalfb]

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Not at all...blades are such a YMMV thing. As you can see, Austin feels the IPs (Crystals) are sharper than the Derbys. The best thing to do is try them all out and see what works for you.

[Newfie]

Not at all...blades are such a YMMV thing. As you can see, Austin feels the IPs (Crystals) are sharper than the Derbys. The best thing to do is try them all out and see what works for you.

I know. Just close to quitting time and in a bit of a wonky mood!!:sneaky2:

[Kyle]

If you can find them, you may consider Crystal blades. They are a tad sharper than Derbys but not sharper than Feathers. I believe Crystal blades are the same as Israeli Personnas.

+1
Top 3 on my face: Feather, Crystal (or IP), Derby - Derby being the smoothest and most forgiving.

[DoubleE]

For me, it's Feather, followed not so closely by everything else. I really can't distinguish a lot of difference between the balance of the blades. While I haven't tried IPs, Merkurs do ok for me as do Derbys. Euro Gillettes, Astra, and ASRs bring up the rear.

I must note that those assessments are based on a Merkur razor. With my Gillettes, there doesn't seem to be as much as a difference and that's were my experimentation normally occurs. But, my shaves are so good with the Merkur/Feather combination, I don't remember the last time I strayed from it.

[Amyn]

1. Feathers are by far the sharpest DE blade followed by
2. Swedish Gillette are second

[StGeorge]

1. Feathers are by far the sharpest DE blade followed by
2. Swedish Gillette are second

I'll second that and also say that Swede's last longer and are smoother. They are ideal for tougher beards and sensitive skin.

[Labarum]

Unfortunately I cannot seem to find anyone in the UK that sells Feathers :frown:


http://www.suffolkspares.co.uk/razorblades.html

Will be adding Feathers to his list very soon.

Watch the site.

[boboakalfb]

Unfortunately I cannot seem to find anyone in the UK that sells Feathers

Is there a reason they would have to be in the UK? I would think you shouldn't have a problem with shipping from elsewhere.

[gse123]

Is there a reason they would have to be in the UK? I would think you shouldn't have a problem with shipping from elsewhere.

Only the fact of keeping costs down.

[gse123]

http://www.suffolkspares.co.uk/razorblades.html

Will be adding Feathers to his list very soon.

Watch the site.

Thank you. I shall keep my beady eye out!

[StGeorge]

Get to your nearest John Lewis and pick up 5 Swedish Gillette's for £1.24, better blades than Feathers IMO, in fact the best I have tried, and I've tried nearly all of them.

[Labarum]

I am interested to try the Silver Blues sold by

http://www.suffolkspares.co.uk/silverblue.html

Paul rates them sharper than Swedes, and they are a good bit cheaper.

But its all very personal. The only ones I have found sharp enough so far are the Swedes and the Feathers.

Have you tried Tescos own brand? They are my second best. Boots sell the same blade with their own name on it, but charge more.

[Labarum]

Get to your nearest John Lewis and pick up 5 Swedish Gillette's for £1.24, better blades than Feathers IMO, in fact the best I have tried, and I've tried nearly all of them.

I am sure I paid £1.80 in John Lewis in Reading a few weeks ago.

[StGeorge]

I am sure I paid £1.80 in John Lewis in Reading a few weeks ago.
Thats where I get mine from, last time they were £1.24. I bought ten packs about 8 weeks ago :smile:

[boboakalfb]

http://www.suffolkspares.co.uk/razorblades.html

Will be adding Feathers to his list very soon.

Watch the site.


I am interested to try the Silver Blues sold by

http://www.suffolkspares.co.uk/silverblue.html

Paul rates them sharper than Swedes, and they are a good bit cheaper.



Brian, do you work for Suffolkspares? It seems you have posted quite a bit about them lately.

[Labarum]

Brian, do you work for Suffolkspares? It seems you have posted quite a bit about them lately.

No. I have a full time job running a British Army Conference Centre in Germany. I have no commercial interest in Suffolkspares (except I am waiting for him to dispatch a Slant to me)

[gse123]

I am interested to try the Silver Blues sold by

http://www.suffolkspares.co.uk/silverblue.html

Paul rates them sharper than Swedes, and they are a good bit cheaper.

But its all very personal. The only ones I have found sharp enough so far are the Swedes and the Feathers.

Have you tried Tescos own brand? They are my second best. Boots sell the same blade with their own name on it, but charge more.

I shall pick up some Tesco blades tomorrow :thumbup1:

Already using the Swede Gillettes from a suffolksupplies sample pack.

[Labarum]

I shall pick up some Tesco blades tomorrow

I am told only the larger stores have them. I got mine in Wokingham.

[gse123]

I am told only the larger stores have them. I got mine in Wokingham.

I will look around.

I find it quite amusing that a fairly highly regarded blade in the DE shaving world is an own brand of a common UK supermarket. Proves the point that expense certainly doesn't necessarily mean quality. Like the Proraso shaving range.

[Labarum]

But if you can't find them buy a pack of Boots Own Brand - same blades - 40p more. Hardly matters just for a sample.

[gse123]

But if you can't find them buy a pack of Boots Own Brand - same blades - 40p more. Hardly matters just for a sample.

Many thanks for this info - there is a boots near to where I work so I shall drop in tomorrow and pick some up.

[VR6ofpain]

I'm still quite new to this, but I believe the Derby IS the sharpest blade next to a Feather. Also, while I do like Merkur blades, I believe Derby's are quite a bit sharper.
Ya I found the Merkur blades very dull compared to Derby's.

[gse123]

But if you can't find them buy a pack of Boots Own Brand - same blades - 40p more. Hardly matters just for a sample.

Just found an online source for the same blade:

http://www.shaving-shack.com/shop/catalog/100-Israeli-Made-Double-Edged-Razor-Blades-p-2706.html

[Labarum]

Just found an online source for the same blade:

http://www.shaving-shack.com/shop/catalog/100-Israeli-Made-Double-Edged-Razor-Blades-p-2706.html

Yes, I saw those - the packaging looks the same. The steel of the Tesco blade has no markings whatsoever.

Can anyone confirm the Shaving Shack baldes are the same as the Boots/Tescos?

[Areler67]

in my opinion sharpest blades are :

1. Feather
2. Blue Gillette (I also have a pack of so called Swedish Gillette but I didn't try it yet...)
3. IP
4. Dorco
5. Tesco
6. Derby
7. Merkur
8. Wilkinson (Germany)

[gse123]

Yes, I saw those - the packaging looks the same. The steel of the Tesco blade has no markings whatsoever.

Can anyone confirm the Shaving Shack baldes are the same as the Boots/Tescos?

The blades look identical in every way.

I'm not experienced enough yet to do a true side by side shave comparison