A question for the DE blade gurus

[grampi]

I'm currently using Personna reds and I think I'd like to move up to a somewhat sharper blade. I have tried Feathers, and I don't know if my technique just isn't right for these blades, or if my face is just too sensitive, but whatever the reason, I just can't use them without nicks and/or irritation. Are there any blades that are in between these two in terms of sharpness?

[BoldJava]

I'm currently using Personna reds and I think I'd like to move up to a somewhat sharper blade. I have tried Feathers, and I don't know if my technique just isn't right for these blades, or if my face is just too sensitive, but whatever the reason, I just can't use them without nicks and/or irritation. Are there any blades that are in between these two in terms of sharpness?

Not a guru but a relative newcomer to the DE experience. My use with Personna and Feathers mirrors yours. I have used about 15 samples and these were the shining 3-4 among them for me, using an Edwin Jagger 87:

Wilkinson Sword, German made - Brit company. Excellent shaves. Provides right amount of noise and feel. A keeper, 6 shaves before retirement. 8.5/10
Derby Extra, made in Turkey from Swedish steel. Probably could have gone another day. I give it an 8.5/10.
Merkur Platinum, made in Germany. Excellent shaves, never any tugging. When it quit, it just quit. 8.5/10. Right up there with Derby Extra.
Rainbow (Lord subsidiary), 8.0/10.

[Thott]

I'm no guru either. But from my limited experience, which includes the Personna Reds as well as Feathers, I'd say that Astra SPs or Gillette 7 O'Clock Yellows might be what you're looking for. Both blades are as smooth as but sharper than the Reds, but a tad less sharp than Feathers, IMHO. (YMMV.)

[bladegap]

Not a guru either, though I've been wet shaving for a while (only recently found this board, however). If you like the Personna Reds but want a sharper blade, one option would be to try the Personna Lab Blues or Med Preps, which I find to be sharper and smoother. Another good option is to try a range of the Gillette 7 o'clocks: I think you will find the blues, blacks, and yellows all sharper than the Peronna Reds and perhaps easier on your face than the Feathers.

By the way, what razor are you shaving with? I find that the Feather blades in a relatively mild razor (I use a 46-47 Aristocrat) with a light touch gives a close shave efficiently (2 passes plus touch up). The problem with Feathers is often that it is easy to cross the line into too much pressure, particularly with an aggressive razor, which will give you burn. But if you are looking for a nice sharp blade, a light, mild touch will give a wonderful shave (and the sound of shaving with a sharp blade like a Feather is a nice bonus).

[Sledgehammer39]

Give the Astra SP or SS a shot!

[coyotewhisper]

+1 for the Astra SP, also any of the 7o'clocks especially the blues, blacks, Rapira, Voskhod.
Try a Russian sampler from West Coast.

[vegaskid74]

Most of the blades from the St. Petersburg Russia plant (Astra SP, Perma-Sharp Super, 7'Oclock Sharpedge, Iridium (no longer in production unfortunately)) are nearly Feather-sharp but much more mild mannered.

[texbilly]

Give the Astra SP or SS a shot!

Ditto.

[bkfist]

Give a Shark or Personna Med Prep a shot. To me the Meds are far sharper than any of the Russian blades, yet very smooth and forgiving. The Sharks give me much better shaves than the red IPs, almost as sharp as Meds, and even more gentle on the face. (plus there are not glue dots to gunk up the razor on either of those.)

[CharlieFoxtrot]

I'm no guru either. But from my limited experience, which includes the Personna Reds as well as Feathers, I'd say that Astra SPs or Gillette 7 O'Clock Yellows might be what you're looking for. Both blades are as smooth as but sharper than the Reds, but a tad less sharp than Feathers, IMHO. (YMMV.)

+1

[Gordy2]

Gillette 7 O'clocks, yellow or blue OR Persona Lab Preps.

[man00ver]

Give a Shark or Personna Med Prep a shot. To me the Meds are far sharper than any of the Russian blades, yet very smooth and forgiving. The Sharks give me much better shaves than the red IPs, almost as sharp as Meds, and even more gentle on the face. (plus there are not glue dots to gunk up the razor on either of those.)

+1. The Sharks will come cheaper than the Meds, but I echo everything said here. Both are probably in the zone you're looking for, OP.

[Alphonse]

Grampi, try the Gillette Blacks and Sputnik Teflons!! Sputniks are very smooth and yet sharp. Blacks are very sharp and yet smooth. Also gotta love Personna Barber blades for sharpness and closeness and longevity.

[phil-d]

I haven't used Personna reds so I don't know if these are sharper, but I have found Bluebirds to be a step below Feathers in sharpness while causing less irritation, and still sharper than most other blades. A pack of Gillette 7 O'Clock yellows arrived at my doorstep this morning, so I'm eager to compare these to Bluebirds as another possible option of "sharp but forgiving".

[Red Horn]

Soon to try the Red's. Shark SP gave me good results. Most forgiving so far was Crystal SP's. The Crystal also gave me more than a close enough shave. Unfortunately the Astra SP's eat me up after many times trying :~(

[Gammon]

I'd recommend a different razor if Feathers give you trouble. I doubt the blades are the culprit. But, I'm no guru either. Also, I don't know if I've used Personnas. But, based on my experience, I'd have to recommend the Chinese Gillette blades that are intended for the Vietnamese market. See the thread on Chinese Blades.

What razor do you use?

[grampi]

My razor is a Gillette Speed. I've tried the 7 O'Clock yellows, and they pretty much tore up my face too. I think I've also tried the blacks with the same results. Does westcoastshaving.com sell all, or most of these recommended blades?

[raisindot]

Grampi, PM me and I can send you a PIF with a Gillette Yellow, Black, and Green to try out.

[bladegap]

My razor is a Gillette Speed. I've tried the 7 O'Clock yellows, and they pretty much tore up my face too. I think I've also tried the blacks with the same results. Does westcoastshaving.com sell all, or most of these recommended blades?


Grampi, what do you mean when you say that the blades tore up your face? Do you mean you got a lot of nicks and weepers or that you got a lot of burn and irritation? If it's latter, it may be a matter of applying too much pressure when shaving. If it's the former, I wonder if the head of your razor is slighly out of alignment, giving you uneven blade angle and exposure. You shouldn't be having that much trouble with so many different blades.

[Chester]

I'd suggest taking a tour of the seven o'clocks, like mentioned below, but Astra SPs are nice, too.
I'd also like to suggest souplex. It's on the top of my favorite current-production blades.
If you get stuck trying to find them, I can hook you up with a box, at modest cost. Shoot me a PM if you want.
-- Chet

[grampi]

Grampi, what do you mean when you say that the blades tore up your face? Do you mean you got a lot of nicks and weepers or that you got a lot of burn and irritation? If it's latter, it may be a matter of applying too much pressure when shaving. If it's the former, I wonder if the head of your razor is slighly out of alignment, giving you uneven blade angle and exposure. You shouldn't be having that much trouble with so many different blades.

I also thought it was an issue with too much pressure, but I shave the same way with all blades...zero pressure. I don't think it's the razor being out of alignment either as I have 2 Speed razors and I get the same results with both...some nicks and cuts, but mostly a lot of irritation...also I would think if the razor head was out of alignment the result would be the same regardless of blade type. I don't get nicks/cuts or irritation when using the reds, they just don't seem to be very sharp to me anymore. I have to keep going over the same areas multiple times when using the reds to get rid of the stubble.

[ackvil]

Gillette 7 O'clocks, yellow or blue OR Persona Lab Preps.

+1. Good choices.

[edgerunner]

I'd add Perma-Sharp to the previously suggested Lab Blue, Astra SP, and IP (a.k.a. Crystal).
Also, some would say it's blasphemy but try Derby and Blue Bird with open comb razors. :blushing:

[El Judio Bravo]

Israeli Blues, either Shark variety, either Astra, Kai.

[jsj_297]

Astras, Bic chromes, sharks, crystals. Good alternate choices imo.

[grampi]

I simply must experiment with new DE blades. I shaved Friday night using my Gillette Speed and a personna red. I ended up with a close, but not BBS shave, and quite a bit of razor burn. I also had to go over, and over, and over certain areas of my face to get rid of all the stubble. Last night I shaved using an Atra handle with a Wilkinson blade, and that shave kicked the living crap outta the DE shave I had Friday night. I ended up with a closer (it was actually a BBS shave), with far fewer strokes, and no razor burn. The worst thing about is I just purchased 100 of the reds from westcoastshaving.com. There has got to be a better blade out there that will give me good shaves. I just have to find out which one it is through trial and error....

[El Judio Bravo]

I simply must experiment with new DE blades. I shaved Friday night using my Gillette Speed and a Personna red. I ended up with a close, but not BBS shave, and quite a bit of razor burn. I also had to go over, and over, and over certain areas of my face to get rid of all the stubble. Last night I shaved using an Atra handle with a Wilkinson blade, and that shave kicked the living crap outta the DE shave I had Friday night. I ended up with a closer (it was actually a BBS shave), with far fewer strokes, and no razor burn. The worst thing about is I just purchased 100 of the reds from westcoastshaving.com. There has got to be a better blade out there that will give me good shaves. I just have to find out which one it is through trial and error....

Israeli Reds -I cannot stress this too strongly- are well-regarded by many but by no means most shavers on the boards. It also seems that those who don't like them do like the Israelis Blues and vice-versa. I tried a 5-pack of Reds and gave 'em to a friend. He loved them, though he got one shave per blade from them (or anything else, for that matter). Of the Blues I have over 100 on-hand; these and the US-made Personnas are among my favored brands.

If you're really upset with the Reds, you'll have no trouble at all swapping them for other types. There's a good variety out there on the world market. Happy hunting!

[grampi]

Israeli Reds -I cannot stress this too strongly- are well-regarded by many but by no means most shavers on the boards. It also seems that those who don't like them do like the Israelis Blues and vice-versa. I tried a 5-pack of Reds and gave 'em to a friend. He loved them, though he got one shave per blade from them (or anything else, for that matter). Of the Blues I have over 100 on-hand; these and the US-made Personnas are among my favored brands.

If you're really upset with the Reds, you'll have no trouble at all swapping them for other types. There's a good variety out there on the world market. Happy hunting!

That's what I'll probably end up doing with them...swapping them. I used to love the reds, but the last few times I've shaved with them, they just don't seem to cut it anymore....pun intended!

[El Judio Bravo]

That's what I'll probably end up doing with them ... swapping them. I used to love the reds, but the last few times I've shaved with them, they just don't seem to cut it anymore....pun intended!

Have you used them in other razors? Remember this; any blade may be gold in one ax but garbage in another. I tried the Reds in four different models before I passed final judgment on them.

Even so, experiment! I use blades from the USA, Europe, Africa, and Asia and they are all good deals for the money. 'Specially Sharks!

[grampi]

Have you used them in other razors? Remember this; any blade may be gold in one ax but garbage in another. I tried the Reds in four different models before I passed final judgment on them.

Even so, experiment! I use blades from the USA, Europe, Africa, and Asia and they are all good deals for the money. 'Specially Sharks!

I only have 2 DE razors and they're both Gillette Speeds.

[El Judio Bravo]

I only have 2 DE razors and they're both Gillette Speeds.

Buy more! :w00t:

[kpg102]

As with all things, YMMV, but I have found the IP Reds a bit rough.
The IP Blues aka Crystals, however, are IMHO a very smooth blade while still being fairly sharp.
I have recently come to like the Bolzanos as well and regard them in the same category as the Blue IPs.
The smoothest blade for me however is the Gillette Yellow.

[ateace]

Whatever you choose, be sure to allow time for your technique to adjust to the sharper blades.

You may well wonder why you spent as much time with the Reds as you did.

[grampi]

Whatever you choose, be sure to allow time for your technique to adjust to the sharper blades.

You may well wonder why you spent as much time with the Reds as you did.

If my shaves don't improve drastically, I may wonder why I've spent as much time with DEs as I have...

[edgerunner]

My guess is you use wrong blade angle, presumably too wide between the blade and the skin. This way you drag your razor like a rake instead cutting with it like with a scythe. Try short strokes, adjust the angle a bit, and don't pass over the same area multiple times. Lather again and repeat, then play with the angle more on the second or third pass when the stubble is not that long.

[Gordy2]

My guess is you use wrong blade angle, presumably too wide between the blade and the skin. This way you drag your razor like a rake instead cutting with it like with a scythe. Try short strokes, adjust the angle a bit, and don't pass over the same area multiple times. Lather again and repeat, then play with the angle more on the second or third pass when the stubble is not that long.

+1. Also take your time and don't rush it.

[Gammon]

+1. Also take your time and don't rush it.

+1. And make sure you are relaxed, comfortable, confident, and enjoying it, else, stop and wait until you are.

[grampi]

I'm not new to DE shaving. I've been doing it for about 3 years now. It's just been lately that I've been getting bad shaves with them. Not quite sure what the problem is, but I don't think it's my technique. It just seems to me like these blades aren't very sharp, i.e., lots of tugging and having to go over the same areas multiple times to get close. By comparison, my Atra does a much better job, with no, or almost no tugging, and much less going over the same areas to get close....

[ateace]

Nothing wrong with the Atra. If it works, it works.

[Alphonse]

Grampi, goto Razorbladesandmore.com and try the Sputnik Teflons and the Personna Barber's/Med's/or Lab's. These are all smooth, high quality blades that shouldn't irritate you and their properties are well known and pretty undisputed. My favorite blade at this time is the Polsilver for closeness and super comfortable shaves, but I have what's called "Technique" AND a Merkur Progress razor. Basically, if you don't have technique or a good razor, then you're in trouble and should use a cartridge. I'm not saying you don't have technique.. you may just have a funky beard or different skin on your mug and maybe your razor isn't suited for the blades you've tried. David from RB&M.com is great to work with.

7'oclock yellows are the last blade I'd recommend, next to feather, if you want a smooth shave. Those can greatly irritate your face, and if you didn't like the 7'oclock blacks then I'd give up on the 7'oclock series altogether and try Polsilver blades for close comfort, but let the blade do the cutting with no extra pressure.

[grampi]

I think the best thing for me to do is to order the 5 packs of all the different blades recommended by everyone in this thread. Most places that sell them online only charge like $2 per pack. With all the blades recommended the likelihood of my finding one or more blades I like are pretty good. The ones I don't like I can give to you guys. The way I see it I've nothing to lose because I'm certainly not happy with my current DE experiences....

[grampi]

I just ordered the following 5 packs from westcoastshaving.com:

Derby Extra
Crystal SP
Astra SP
Personna lab/med prep
Shark
7 oclock yellow/black/blue
Wilkinson

They don't sell the others that were recommended here or I would've tried those too. Hopefully, I can find something out of this group that works for me....

[DBlair]

Astra SP

[grampi]

Thanks to the PIF raisindot sent me (thank you Sir!), I was able to try a new blade last night, and the blade was a Personna Super (it came in a blue wrapper). Is this the lab prep blade? It is most definitely sharper than the reds. There was no tugging at all, and I ended up with a very close, but not quite a BBS shave. Here's the best part; I had no nicks, cuts, or razor burn at all. I don't usually have nicks or cuts, but the reds have been leaving me with terrible irritation lately, so I was glad to know it wasn't my technique that was causing it, it was the blades. I paid particualr attention to making sure I was applying no pressure, remembering my past experiences with Feathers, which was not good. I'm going to see how many shaves I can get from this blade. I normally got 2 shaves from reds before I noticed a difference in sharpness, albeit the reds aren't very sharp to begin with. I would say I have a fairly heavy beard, though not extremely heavy, but I think my wiskers are very course and are therefore hard on blades.

The other 3 blades raisindot sent me are the 7 oclock yellow, 7 oclock black, and a platinum blade in a blue and white wrapper. I'm not sure what it is. I'll probably try one of the 7 oclocks next....and of course all the samplers I ordered from westcoastshaving.com will be arriving any day now, so I will have enough blades for my trial and error to keep me busy for quite a while...and I'm guessing I will find several blades that work well for me...

[grampi]

Where'd everybody go?