Good DE Sampler Blade Packs in Canada?

[WillM3001]

I'm now looking at switching over and experimenting with DE safety razors. I'm looking to get a Merkur HD as this seems to be the recommendation for noobs like myself:rolleyes: but I'm having some trouble finding a good Double Edge Blade Sampler pack that is available to Canada. I imagine customs will be pretty hefty on sharp metal razor blades if I look at shipping from the US or even overseas:001_unsur . I spoke to a lady at C & E and she unfortunately knew nothing about where I could get safety razors or DE blades. Anyways, anyone with any info/advice for me would be greatly appreciated:biggrin: . I've also tried ebay.ca but i've only found a couple shops selling only one kind of blade.

[Empty Words]

http://westcoastshaving.com/

You shouldn't have to pay customs in Canada.

[Jim]

Try here (http://westcoastshaving.com/) and welcome!

[croweml]

http://westcoastshaving.com/

You shouldn't have to pay customs in Canada.

I live in Canada and just received my sampler pack from westcoastshaving last week.

There were no customs/duty fees at the border whatsover, and they were delivered quite quickly.

A great sampler at a good price.

mike

[WillM3001]

Ah, ok great, I was looking at that site too but couldn't find any mention of Canada in their shipping policy so I just figured it'd cost a pretty penny to get the blades in but apparently not. Thanks for the replies, much appreciated:thumbup: .

[pjsnell]

A 5 pack of Gillette DE blades is about $4.50 at Shopper's, or $0.90 a blade. The small sampler cost me $16.02 CAD, or $0.53 a blade. Once you've picked a favorite blade, it gets cheaper. WCS sells 100 of the Cristal blades for 13.00 US (roughly the same price as the small sampler), or $0.16 a blade.

[Magnulus]

Do you have drugstores in Canada? I used to think these kinds of blades were impossible to find at drugstores, but I went around actually looking, and within 3 miles of my house in florida I can buy injector blades and double edge blades. Sure, they aren't prominently displayed but they do have them... and the quality seems to be decent (I'm using Walgreens brand DE's, when I get my Schick Injector I'll use the CVS store brand).

[bluenose]

At my local drug store, Shoppers Drug Mart, the only blades available are Gillettes from Russia. Ten for close to $15.00! For some reason that I can't fathom, DE blades in Canada are as scarce as hen's teeth.

I get into New York state on fishing/camping trips and can get to a CVS, Eckerds, etc. for some cheaper blades if needed. Currently, I'm working on 100 Derbys picked up on eBay for slightly more $ than those at Shoppers.

Regards

[WillM3001]

Ya I can't figure out why that is either :huh: . So once I find the blade I like I guess I'll have to order in bulk online?

[scagooch]

I ordered the West coast sampler pack and had no issues (I'm not thrilled about the Merkur blades) REXALL pharmacies carries American Personnas(not all stores) Zellers carries Brands MAX ( I hope I got the name right) "Personal Edge" franchises carry Merkur blades behind the counter and they aren't cheap. Wal-Mart has blades called "precision" that are made in Israel.

[Smedley]

Also check out the small drug stores (not Shoppers). The mom and pop style places often have Wilkinsons on sale. But getting the sampler pack from West Coast Shaving should be no problem with customs and such. I didn't have any difficulties back when I ordered my sampler.

[Tech 62]

My local Guardian drugs sells Wilkinson(german?) & Gillette(russian?) razor blades(not very good) & also sell Surrey & Williams shaving soaps for under 3 bucks CAN & Florena shaving cream(good low price cream).I will however have to try the Walmart precision blades,but a sample pack is the way to go.It helped me decide on the best blade for me.Now I'm trying to source inexpensive swedish gillettes.It figures I would like the more expensive & harder to find blades

[bjrn]

I got my sample pack from west coast shaving, and I live in Europe, no hassles with customs or anything like that. :)

[Leisureguy]

For Europe you might want to try the sampler pack from the UK (http://www.suffolkspares.co.uk/samplepack.html), since it has brands available there but not available here. And the RazorandBrush sampler packs (http://www.razorandbrush.com/Sampler.html) also have quite a few other brands, including some European brands.

Regarding blade judgments (e.g., German Wilkinsons are to be avoided), do remember that those judgments are valid for the person making them, based on his experience with the brand, but may not apply at all to you. Blades are very much YMMV, which is exactly why the sampler pack is necessary. I, for example, find the German Wilkinsons to be very nice blades indeed, and I can't use Merkurs at all---despite the fact that for some people, the Merkurs are the blade of choice.

In general, I think it's a good idea to ignore recommendations for or against a brand of blade---you have to find out for yourself whether the blade will work for you.