anyone prefer Crystal to Derby ?? ...

[expatCanuck]

... or am I alone on this? :frown:

[letterk]

Actually, a lot of people. Personally, I prefer Derby, but I'd wager it's probably close to a 50-50 split.

[phronq]

I tried a few Derby Extra blades and a few Crystal blades in my 38C and got better results with the Crystals. For whatever reason, I just couldn't get a half decent shave with the Derby.

You are not alone, sir.

[Tiggercat]

I like Derby blades, but for me they don't even come close to Crystals.

[smoothshaver]

Derbys just don't cut it for me.
Crystals are the blades I use most frequently.

[theperfectstorm]

I like Derby blades, but for me they don't even come close to Crystals.

Exactly what I was going to say. I bought a ton of Derbys, use them everyday. Got some Crystals from a member and used them on a blue-tip Super Speed and it was an epiphany, treading dangerously near to apotheosis.

When I plow through the Derbys I will definitely go to the Crystals.

[expatCanuck]

Derbys just don't cut it for me. ...:glare:


... it was an epiphany, treading dangerously near to apotheosis ... .:bored:


:biggrin:

[DustBow]

Derbys are the "safe" blade for me - nice & smooth, never a nick or cut but not quite as close as some other blades either.

For me, the first shave w/ a Crystal is never very good but the 2nd and 3rd shaves are nice. I'm not really sure why, but a new Crystal blade always seems to pull and tug n my face. Then the next couple shaves are pretty smooth and close.

I've been sticking to Feathers and Swedes lately...

[col conk]

I Find Derbys inconsistant, Ive never had a dull blade, just seems some are rougher -scratchy. Crystals always give me a very smooth shave in my Progress.

[thirdeye]

Of the two I'd take a Derby anyday. I have used them in at least 25 diffrent Gillettes and have always been pleased, consistantly shape and comfortable. On the contrary with Crystal.

Like most things shaveing related, it's all a matter of opinion.

[MotoMike]

Derbys are forgiving, but to me seem dull when new. Crystal is my blade.:wink:

[razercat]

I like them both, The Crystal's seem sharper but the Derby's are very forgiving if your technique is a little off. I get great shaves with both.

Eddie

[kwk285]

I get a BBS or close with 3 passes of a Crystal. It takes 4 to 5 passes to even comve close with a Derby.

I switch between Crystals and Personnas. That would be tough for me to decide which one I prefer.

[arcman]

Crystals are my go-to.
I went through almost all the Derby's in my sampler, but I just couldn't seem to get a shave anywhere near as close or as smooth.

[hoselayer]

Sweet, I am finally in the majority with a pole!! :lol:

+1 Crystals.

[expatCanuck]

Sweet, I am finally in the majority with a pole!! :lol:

+1 Crystals.

Give it time ... the race has not yet run.

[Lucius]

Just started using a DE, derby was my first blade, just threw in a crystal last night.

I seemed to get more tugging with crystal and almost none with the derby, but in the end, my shave has been the best yet with the crystal. A lot of that probably has to do with improved technique, but the crystal did seem to get spots on my cheek that I just could not manage to get shaved with the derby.

Comfort wise they are both fine, imo.

[Mr Mockett]

The crystal I tried did seem to tug more. No more irritation than normal, but not as comfy a shave as the Derbys. I'll have to try another Crystal in my Rocket now that I've settled on a razor to use for a while.

Less variables and all.

[Another Platonist]

I prefer Crystals in my Mergress...Derby does not work for me. However, in my superspeed, Dorcos are best and Crystals second, and vice versa in my Mergress.

[Jarmo P]

I did not try Crystals a lot, just 3 blades.
Same time I did, was in the testing period of Derbys too and they seemed not give as much tugging as Crystals. All in the lather and preparation.
Crystals were not bad blades at all and I could imagine using them now as well as my shave technique have developed.
My initial impression was, gillette platinums the sharpest, yet comfortable shaves. Feathers good too, but then I did not mind a little razor burn.
And both Derby and Crystal blades in the medium.
Now I think with better tech and all Crystals could be ok blades too. I must try them 2 I have left, hehe.

[JGS]

First shave with Derbys....BBS.

You guys either have steel wire beards, or like to split hairs....

[MooingLizard]

Derbys are the "safe" blade for me - nice & smooth, never a nick or cut but not quite as close as some other blades either.

For me, the first shave w/ a Crystal is never very good but the 2nd and 3rd shaves are nice. I'm not really sure why, but a new Crystal blade always seems to pull and tug n my face. Then the next couple shaves are pretty smooth and close.

I've been sticking to Feathers and Swedes lately...

Have you tried corking your blades?

I don't have much of a preference and can't tell a big difference between the two blades. Given that I have 1100 Crystals (most of which I'll eventually sell on the BST), I guess they're my default blade. I think that the Derbys might be a little more forgiving and a little less sharp, but haven't done a one-to-one comparison recently. I think that they're fairly forgiving.

As an aside here, I haven't been able to tell a big difference between most of the blades I've tried, though I still haven't touched my samply pack much (I stopped experimenting with it once I realized that Crystals were okay). Astras are okay for me (still can't tell a big difference between them and the Crystals/Derbys) and Dorcos are bad, though I need to revisit them.

[Tiggercat]

You guys either have steel wire beards, or like to split hairs....

I do have a very coarse beard, and yes, that certainly makes a difference when choosing blades.

[perry]

I liked the IP's from my sampler last year, but I found the Derby's cheaper at the time, so that's what I bought 100 of. They treated me fine for a year, so I bought another $100 earlier this year. Maybe I'll find the IP/Crystal blades cheap next year and go with those. Both are acceptable to me.

[tim8557]

I've never seen nor tried a Crystal. Are they available in the US?

[bonzo60]

I've never seen nor tried a Crystal. Are they available in the US?

Tim, get them here http://westcoastshaving.com

Its 50-50 for me. It depends on the razor.