Astra: first impressions

[Ruston]

Had my first shave with an Astra this morning (Mekur 34C and MWF). Previously I've been using Feathers (which I like) but got sloppy and ended up with a nasty razor burn that took almost a week to heal. The Astra was not quite Feather sharp but gave a comfortable shave. I'll be interested to see how day 2 goes. I've also got some blue Persona and Crystals to audition. I've read various posts that speak to the sharpness and smoothness of various blades and will try to make an assessment of these two characteristics during my latest round of blade auditions :)

[Omp]

Sounds like you are doing things the other way round to me. My first blade was an Astra and after trying Lord, Personna, Gillette 7 o'clock extra sharp and Sharks, I am back with my 2nd try of an Astra. I have some Feathers but have not yet worked up the courage to use them. I'm waiting for 3 consecutive DFS's before I set them loose.
As for the Astra - it seems a good blade. Any soreness I have had was down to user error. Personna is shading it for me at the moment but they will be getting a 2nd run next week. I received some Astra Stainless as a sample last week. Be interesting to see how these compare to the Platinums.

[tech.addict]

I also started similarly with Feather while Feather gave me great shaves, it is costlier and also not so smooth. Later I tried Astra SP and was amazed with the smoothness and almost zero irritation shave. I've a pretty tough beard. I can get 4 shaves with the Astra but since they are cheap I usually throw them away after 3 :) .

[ateace]

Astra SPs are great blades and quite sharp enough for me.

One thing I've learned is that you may pay a price in irritation and/or blood when taking a step up in sharpness.
It may take time to adapt technique to the sharper blade.

[Sully2]

I also started similarly with Feather while Feather gave me great shaves, it is costlier and also not so smooth. Later I tried Astra SP and was amazed with the smoothness and almost zero irritation shave. I've a pretty tough beard. I can get 4 shaves with the Astra but since they are cheap I usually throw them away after 3 :) .

Yepper...same sort of experience here. Ive got something like 7 1/2 cents each in my Astra's so Im not worried about any cost...

[fonkemonkey]

Love Astra. IMO you can't find a better value in blades.

[Calnell]

I just picked up another 100. They are great blades but I can only get 2 shaves out of them. The price is hard to beat

[MilesTeg]

My first experience with Astra was excellent. Then I had a really bad second shave. Since then I have rotated them in a couple of times, and tried to be more careful. They seem pretty good to me; I will buy more.

[tech.addict]

+1
Astra gives me great shave. Astra for daily shave and Feather for special ones. Also, got a pack of yellow Gillette with a razor recently loving them but they are costlier.
I've ordered some Red Personnas. I've heard that they are great too. I'll decide between the Astra or Personna and order a large quantity soon.
BTW already have 100 Astra :innocent: .

[jsj_297]

Astras are good stuff!!!

[Big_OC]

I just started DE shaving a little over a month ago. The sample blade included in my Merkur 23C gave me some bad irritation. But then I got my blade sample and tried out the Astras based on what everybody had recommended. Liking them so far. I'm curious to try the other sample to see how different they shave but right now, Astra SP's are at the top of the list.

[elderberry99]

Love Astra. IMO you can't find a better value in blades.
Same here. The Astra SP are my go to blades. All 5 of my razors love Astra blades.

[elderberry99]

I do not get along with the Feather blade. Actually I don't get along with most other blades then the AStra and Derby. I used the Gillette blue blades for many years and did okay with them. Then one day it seemed like they changed and I was getting a lot of irritation from them. There are a lot of good blades out there, just not for my face!

[Poodle Head Mikey]

Because Astra blades seem to blow. <g> I tried using them for a full week at first. Then for just three days. And yesterday I thought I would try replacing the blade every day. So today I used another new blade and I maybe have the worst razor burn of my life. I tried using them in an old Gillette and also a Merkur 34C. Mostly the Merkur.

You all get good results with them though, eh?

PHM
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[elderberry99]

In all honesty, yes. the Astra blades are very smooth to me. If you try to apply any pressure on your face, you will either cut your face, or burn it. At least that is what happens to me. I do three passes and a touch up every morning, and get a total of three shaves per blade before depositing the blade in the bank!
For the most part I get a super smooth shave with no weepers or burn to speak of. I used the Astra SP this morning as I usually do with no burn or nicks. I use a little dab of 444 mixed with my AS of the day and my face feels just fine. My razor would either be the DE89 with Bull Mastiff handle, Gillette TTO 1951 SS, 1945-51 Gillette Tech or a 1962 Gillette Tech. either razor does a great job with this blade.

[Ruston]

Because Astra blades seem to blow. <g> I tried using them for a full week at first. Then for just three days. And yesterday I thought I would try replacing the blade every day. So today I used another new blade and I maybe have the worst razor burn of my life. I tried using them in an old Gillette and also a Merkur 34C. Mostly the Merkur.

You all get good results with them though, eh?
--------

My razor burn with Feather was due to technique. I kept wanting to go over what I'd just shaved to make sure I got it all, resulting in multiple passes over the same area without the benefit of lather. Felt OK at the time but really took a toll on my face. Now I have to consciously avoid dragging the razor across any skin not covered in lather. That keeps my face happy and after the 3rd pass results in a nice shave IMHO.
With technique corrected, I can now evaluate the comfort/performance difference in the blades themselves.

[jsj_297]

Man, I'm on like shave number 5-6 with my astra in a EJ89. I have medium density, multi directional growth. U guys need to let the lather soften your whiskers a little longer. I started letting it sit 2-3 minutes before shaving with a feather blade, and I went from getting 1-2 maybe 3 to well over 7-8 mark. I feel the same thing with these Astras since I've revisited them, I will keep this blade til Thursday at least, see if I can push it. I will count closer next time, I want a mininum of 6-7 per blade these days.

[elderberry99]

Ok, first off- Why would you want to "push it"? I love my three shaves and changing the blade. The few extra cents it will cost to change out the blade after three shaves will not hurt me. I have done the 4 and 5 and even 6 shaves with the Astra and the shaves were okay, but I felt a lot of burn on the extended shaves. For the cost of the blades, I will change out after three. Everyone has their own milage with their blades. I do the same with my Derby blades. three and in the blade bank they go.
I just ordered another hundred Astra SP blades about 20 minutes ago.
I face lather. so that working up of lather on my face gives me plenty of time for the lather to work on my whiskers to soften them up. I shave right after a very hot shower as well. I am not talking a 5 minute shower either. I have found the long showers really help to loosen my back muscles and any arthritis that is working on me that morning. At 60, nothing goes fast any more so I decided to just slow down and enjoy it all. If you have to do it, you might as well enjoy what your doing and I do. A good 15 minutes in the shower, slow dry off and a nice slow shave gets me ready for my day.
When I am ready to shave, I do not feel the razor crossing over my face at all. that is why I keep to the 3 shaves per blade.
To each his own. This is what works for me.

[groovyd]

for me feather takes 2 shaves to become comfortable. the first is always a little sore. derby and astra don't seem to have that problem. i have been using my feather SS DE as my daily 3rd pass shaver following 2 passes with whatever straight of the day.

[5savages]

You all get good results with them though, eh?

Nope. I just get marginal results with them. Personna Labs & Voskhods work much better for me. I'll try the Astra SPs again in 6 months though.

[OldGreyGuy]

I have focused on a number of reasonably priced blades and am happy with the Astra SP, Astra SS, Red Personna, Crystal. I have these in a reasonable supply and have recently picked up a stock of the Voskhod teflon coated although I haven'y managed to work them into my schedule yet.

I find that a reasonable blade at a good price is usually a DFS and if I throw it away after 3 or 4 shaves then I am happy.

[elderberry99]

I bought 100 of the Voskhod blades and tried the first blade and ripped my face up. Could not shave for two days after that. Traded the blades for more Astra SP blades.

[mdevine]

I've tried about twenty different blades and still rotate between a dozen or so. Out of those, there are a handful I've purchased in bulk: Iridium, Astra SP, Med Prep Personna, Feather, Derby and Gillette Sharp Edge (Yellows). I actually prefer the Astra blades to the Feathers in most razors. They are a near ideal combination of sharp and smooth, giving a very close yet comfortable shave. They can often be found for under $10/100 shipped. I haven't found anything better without spending three times as much.

Mike

[Zor]

I'm using the Astra SP in a 34c with a tallow soap as well. I've got the rest of a blade sampler that I don't even want to try because the Astras are treating me so nice.

[RazorbackFan]

Astra SPs are my daily blade. Love 'em. Got a stockpile of 'em, too.

[MACGI98z28]

I have used Astra, Shark, Supermax and Derby. I have received excellent shaves from all of them. My next leap is going to be trying out a single vintage Schick Krona blade that I have.

[Ruston]

Second shave was not as comfortable as the first. Tugging was more pronounced especially ATG in the chin and mustache areas. A little more burn with the AS in those areas as well. Won't be going for a day 3.
Based on my limited experience I'd put the Astras between a Red Persona and a Feather.

I shave after I shower and face lather so I feel my beard is prepped before I start shaving.

Next I'll try a Blue Persona and see how that goes. For now, I like the Astra for 1 shave. I'll try one again in a few days and see if the experience is different.

[elderberry99]

That is very odd indeed. By the second shave the blade should get a little milder.
Sorry you are having trouble with the blades. It could very well be the razor you are using them in as well. I had to other razors that could not stand the Astra or the Derby and these are my two favorite blades now since switching my razors around.
Hold your blades for another razor and give them another try someday.

[AverageJoe]

Chalk up another fan of Astra's right here! Very nice. I bought 100 online. Does anyone know of a 'real' store that carries them?

[Island Dreamer]

Why isn't this topic in the safety blades forum? Why post it in general shaving discussion??

[obxKevin]

My turn to sing the praises of Astras. I've been a Derby fan since the beginning and when I ran out recently, I tried Feathers. And after two weeks of miserable shaves, and after reading what you all said here, I decided to give Astras a try. Got them yesterday, loved my shave today. I will probably make Astras my go-to blade.

[jsj_297]

I don't care what anybody says, IMO lather sitting on the beard for extra 2-3 minutes softens my beard better than any extended long shower does. I've tried both ways, even Gillette before they sold out said 3-5 minutes for the lather to sit and work. Shower all u want, the real magic comes from the lather. Not taking away anything from the hot water aspect, as I do splash repeatedly with hot water before applying my arko.

[cosmicdoom]

I have a three blade regular rotation: Shark SC, Bluebird, and Astra SP. Period. These blades have, for me, that sweet spot of smoothness and sharpness.

I have tried quite a few other blades. The other two oft referred to above, they being the Derby's and Feathers, do not work for me. Feathers are much to sharp, and while they don't give me razor burn, they do seem to cut me at a much faster rate than any other razor. The Derby's, on the other hand, are much too dull. They make for an extremely uncomfortable shave by pulling the hairs and necessitating extra passes.

I am always trying new blades, but when I need a really good shave I go with my favorites.

[gus1942]

I pair my Astra SPs with my 37c slant. Good for me.

[Grillslinger]

I have a Merkur HD. I got an order of Astra blades recently and look forward to using them. I want to wait until my current ones run out though.

[Ruston]

I don't care what anybody says, IMO lather sitting on the beard for extra 2-3 minutes softens my beard better than any extended long shower does. I've tried both ways, even Gillette before they sold out said 3-5 minutes for the lather to sit and work. Shower all u want, the real magic comes from the lather. Not taking away anything from the hot water aspect, as I do splash repeatedly with hot water before applying my arko.

I face lather so the product has been on my face for a couple of minutes prior to shaving. Are you letting it sit for an additional 2-3 minutes? I'm game for anything that works :)