A replacement for the Gillette Swede?

[SirArthur]

I am down to my last two Gillette Swede blades. Needless to say, like all of us, they will be missed. I have tried my trusty Derby blade again this morning-woh what a difference.

What are you Gillette Swede users doing to find a substitute?

[merwtje]

I am down to my last two Gillette Swede blades. Needless to say, like all of us, they will be missed. I have tried my trusty Derby blade again this morning-woh what a difference.

What are you Gillette Swede users doing to find a substitute?

Enlighten me, did Gillette stop making them?

[sphiny]

I actually made the switch from Swedes to Astras recently. I find them very similar: sharp but smooth. As a bonus, they are significantly cheaper as well: 100 blades for $18 from WCS. Give them a try.

[TSWebster]

Enlighten me, did Gillette stop making them?

From what I've read they closed the DE production line in the factory so they could expand the Fusion production line.

And as for a replacemant, why replace when you can just hoard? I have years worth of Swedes at hand. :biggrin:

[Cains Boy]

I hear that a lot of Swede users are using Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharpedge and Gillette 7 O'Clock Permasharp. I like them both, but not quite as much as I liked the Swedes.

My all time favorite blades were Gillette Silver Blues...and they stopped making them. Then I switched to Iridium Supers...and they stopped making them. Then I switched to Gillette Swedes...and they stopped making them.

:mad::mad::mad:

I'm giving Feathers another shot (originally found them to be rough on me) and trying out the Red Pack Personnas, currently.

[merwtje]

How about the Gillette Bleue Extra?

[sphiny]

I'm sure a lot of guys are aware of this, but I've heard from several sources on here that Astras are made by Gillette, in Russia, so that might explain the similar experience I've had with them.

Maybe they're the "Swede of Russia"??

[Confilo]

I actually made the switch from Swedes to Astras recently. I find them very similar: sharp but smooth. As a bonus, they are significantly cheaper as well: 100 blades for $18 from WCS. Give them a try.

:thumbup1:

[uberculture]

I'm sure a lot of guys are aware of this, but I've heard from several sources on here that Astras are made by Gillette, in Russia, so that might explain the similar experience I've had with them.

Maybe they're the "Swede of Russia"??

hmm... I was about to settle for the Bic, which was my favorite before I tried the swede... maybe I'll give the astra a go before I order a ton.

[jtoddaz]

I just bought some Gillette Platinums in a box (not a metal case)from DrIdiot. They are all individually wratpped in the box. I know they are different than swedes, (maybe made somewhere else. Must say that although not swedes, they have been like butter so far. Good Luck in your search.

[Ray-Vigo]

I hear that a lot of Swede users are using Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharpedge and Gillette 7 O'Clock Permasharp. I like them both, but not quite as much as I liked the Swedes.

My all time favorite blades were Gillette Silver Blues...and they stopped making them. Then I switched to Iridium Supers...and they stopped making them. Then I switched to Gillette Swedes...and they stopped making them.

:mad::mad::mad:

I'm giving Feathers another shot (originally found them to be rough on me) and trying out the Red Pack Personnas, currently.


Please don't switch to Derbys-- I need those to keep being made. But if the past repeats, the Feather people aren't going to be happy with you.

[jpkunst]

How about the Gillette Bleue Extra?

Very hard to find outside of France (perhaps Belgium also?), I don't think there is an online source for them. There were available in the Albert Cuyp street marked in Amsterdam a while ago, though. But I suppose that was some kind of grey import.

[beyboo]

I just bought some Gillette Platinums in a box (not a metal case)from DrIdiot. They are all individually wratpped in the box. I know they are different than swedes, (maybe made somewhere else. Must say that although not swedes, they have been like butter so far. Good Luck in your search.

IF they are in a black box called "Super Platinum" - would be Indian. They are very very sharp.

[rbaloha]

I hear that a lot of Swede users are using Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharpedge and Gillette 7 O'Clock Permasharp. I like them both, but not quite as much as I liked the Swedes.

My all time favorite blades were Gillette Silver Blues...and they stopped making them. Then I switched to Iridium Supers...and they stopped making them. Then I switched to Gillette Swedes...and they stopped making them.

:mad::mad::mad:

I'm giving Feathers another shot (originally found them to be rough on me) and trying out the Red Pack Personnas, currently.

For some reason west coast shaving is sold out of the yellows. Iridium Supers are back in production. Check shave my face board for details.

[Cains Boy]

Yeah -- actually I just got 100 Iridium Supers in a trade.

Funny thing, though -- The box says "Iridium Super", and the blades say "Polsilver". I researched this a bit and found some interesting info that perhaps the Iridium Supers and Polsilvers are made by the same company, maybe as the result of one buying the other (take a look at some of the features, like the "W" on each pack).

Haven't shaved with them yet, though, so I don't know how they compare to the Iridium blades that actually say "Iridium".

[infotech]

I recently switched to Astra Superior's. They are pretty good so fr. I may have to try the Iridium Supers.

[Advil]

Another swede lover here. I moved to red packs and IP's but experimenting with 7 oclock yellow and feathers in different razors.

i still have a few brands in my wcs extended sampler so i'm not too worried.


IPs are the best right now for me but only perform half as well as swedes. i only have 6 packs of swedes left and i can't afford to buy more until i sell my textbooks back.

[Stubblefield]

Swedes? :smile:

Just picked up 40 off the 'Bay. More on the way. Don't tell my shrink.

I'd def tray the Super I's or Gillette Yellows if you like Swedes.

[LawLess]

Ben, a member here, has a source for Swedes. I just ordered 150 blades from him (in England) for just under .80/blade. It is a but high, but considering the longevity of the Swedes and the superior performance, I'll pay.

If you want his contact info and can't find it, PM me.

Hoard away!:biggrin:

[infotech]

Ben, a member here, has a source for Swedes. I just ordered 150 blades from him (in England) for just under .80/blade. It is a but high, but considering the longevity of the Swedes and the superior performance, I'll pay.

If you want his contact info and can't find it, PM me.

Hoard away!:biggrin:

I'm really considering it. I'm afraid by the time I decide to hoard he's going to be out. I just don't like the idea of spending that much on a blade that won't be around when I need more in the future.

Day two (this morning) with the Slant/Astra Superior took one more pass to get the equivalent Slant/Swede shave.

[infotech]

My testing so far as brought me to the conlcusion that there isn't really anything just like the Gillette Swede.

Here's my take on the blades

Gillette Swede - Sharp and smooth. No irritation and last 7 shaves. Minimal prep needed (shower). However, I have started using a pre-shave oil recently.

Recent blades I've tried for replacement:

Astra Superior - Too harsh on my neck.

Derby - Too harsh on my neck.

Gillette 7 O'Clock Green Pack - too harsh on my neck.

Gillette 7 O' Clock Yellow - Too harsh on my neck

Crystal - Surprisingly, these are actually the closest I've tried so far. They are not as sharp as the Swede, Derby, or Astra but I can get 3-4 shaves out of one and my neck doesn't get tore up. It just takes a little longer (1 more pass plus touch up). It pulls chin whiskers a little on the first WTG pass. For this reason I'm going to keep looking. If they were just a touch sharper this would be it. Maybe if I changed my preshave prep it wouldn't pull, but I don't want to increase my shaving time in the morning.

Next inline: Iridium Supers and Red Pack Israeli Personnas.. They should be here next week some time.

I think I see a pattern here: Russian blades don't seem to work well for me..

[Advil]

Infotech, I agree. The closest thing to a swede to me is the Crystal. If they were a tad sharper and maintained their smoothness they'd be pretty much identical.

I love red packs on their 2nd and 3rd shave but not fresh.

[Duggo]

My testing so far as brought me to the conlcusion that there isn't really anything just like the Gillette Swede.

Here's my take on the blades

Gillette Swede - Sharp and smooth. No irritation and last 7 shaves. Minimal prep needed (shower). However, I have started using a pre-shave oil recently.

Recent blades I've tried for replacement:

Astra Superior - Too harsh on my neck.

Derby - Too harsh on my neck.

Gillette 7 O'Clock Green Pack - too harsh on my neck.

Gillette 7 O' Clock Yellow - Too harsh on my neck

Crystal - Surprisingly, these are actually the closest I've tried so far. They are not as sharp as the Swede, Derby, or Astra but I can get 3-4 shaves out of one and my neck doesn't get tore up. It just takes a little longer (1 more pass plus touch up). It pulls chin whiskers a little on the first WTG pass. For this reason I'm going to keep looking. If they were just a touch sharper this would be it. Maybe if I changed my preshave prep it wouldn't pull, but I don't want to increase my shaving time in the morning.

Next inline: Iridium Supers and Red Pack Israeli Personnas.. They should be here next week some time.

I think I see a pattern here: Russian blades don't seem to work well for me..


Infotech, I agree. The closest thing to a swede to me is the Crystal. If they were a tad sharper and maintained their smoothness they'd be pretty much identical.

I love red packs on their 2nd and 3rd shave but not fresh.

Guys,

Have you tried "Corking (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24880&highlight=corking)" your blades? You may find that they won't be too harsh for your neck if you do.

My Experience With Corking

I tried it for the first time today, on a Israeli Personna, because I always found them to be rough, and if corking was worth it's salt, it was going to prove it to me by taming a rough blade.

The first pass was a disappointment. I really didn't notice that much of a change. But on the second pass, What a difference. I can't explain it. I don't think that they are as smooth as a Bic, but the IP's were much improved from the what I'm accustomed to: lots of tugging, and scraping - when I used a "uncorked" IP.

And with a corked IP, my neck never looked so good. I've got to do two chevron passes on the neck, to get truly BBS. When I shave the left half of the chevron, it comes out ok. (Keep in mind this is against the grain.) Usually, when I try that on the right side, it looks like Disaster Area. :lol: Like I just came home from the War. :mad3:

Now, when I did the same thing with a corked IP, it came out beautifully. The whiskers came off like a hot knife slicing through butter. :badger: :a50: No bleeding either.

[jrcrow79]

SWEDES WENT TO RUSSIA!!
NOW YELLOW N WHITE PACKAGING! :biggrin:

[beyboo]

I am curious to know if any of you have benchmarked the Indian 7 O'Clock Super Platinums (black) against the swedes. It is very sharp and smooth. Would like to know since these are also a "Gillette Platinum" variety

[shyrlock]

Beyboo, I'd sure like to try the black box 7:00's, but they aren't available from any of the vendors I usually get blades from.
Duggo, +1 on the Crystals. I have been using them as daily shavers for a couple years now. They give great smooth shaves, especially in my Futur.
Just don't try to get too much mileage out of them. I use them 2-3 times and put in a fresh one.
I have found that the yellow pack, Sharp Edge 7:00's give me a really fine shave when used in my E.Jagger Chatsworth/Muhle Pinsel head. The do feel a little rough in all my other razors, including my Futur and all f my old Gillettes.
I have some Super Iridiums on order, and from what I've read hear and on shavemyface,
they just may be a real bell ringer.
Albuquerque Mike

[thatguy1807]

I'm going through this dilemma myself, I've tried 7 o'clock yellow, Astras, Bics, Feathers, Sharps, Perrsonas, and crystals, I'm going to have to say my once most disliked blade is now my favorite blade and that is the Feather. You just have work on your technique a little bit, also the 7 o'clock yellows come in a close second.

[Stubblefield]

I am curious to know if any of you have benchmarked the Indian 7 O'Clock Super Platinums (black) against the swedes. It is very sharp and smooth. Would like to know since these are also a "Gillette Platinum" varietyNot the blacks, but have done with the Yellows. The Swede is smoother.

I like the Swede, but do not find it to be the "Holy Grail" of blades.

[GarageBoy]

I'm slumming it with red packs

[Rufust445]

In all the discussion threads in all the web sites in all the gin joints in the world that this topic has been beaten into the ground for months now:

The Super Iridium and the Crystal seem to emerge as the closest substitutes for "Swedes." The most die-hard Swede fan over at SMF used to maintain that the Crystal was the closest thing for him. Now that he's tried Super Iridiums, they seem to be his new default blade, though he grudgingly admits it.

I've never tried a "Swede." The Super Iridium is sharp and smooth, but too sharp for my technique. Longevity seems to be what most fans claim for the "Swede," if not more. I'll finish my pack of Iridiums eventually, but won't be buying more. I have three other blades more like the Crystal making up my stash, and fall in the camp of those who think the "Swede" is much ado about not all that much.

PS: the Super Iridium costs about 1/3 as much as a "Swede."

PPS: YMMV

[soapbox]

At least the older production Super Iridiums are really outstanding blades. Not as aggressively crazy-sharp as Feathers (though man I love me some Feathers) but really great shavers. If they're back in production (and not just rebranded Polisilvers, which are also very good blades), I'll have to get more.

Lately I've been "slumming" with the Crystals and Red pack Israelis (IPs) and have moved on to the Astras (the Superiors, not the Keramiks; I'll try to steer clear of *other* out-of-production blades!) to audition them too. I think I'd be fine with the Red IPs -- especially at a dime per blade -- but I can't ignore that they're not as good as other slightly-more-expensive blades out there.

[htownmmm]

I hear that a lot of Swede users are using Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharpedge and Gillette 7 O'Clock Permasharp. I like them both, but not quite as much as I liked the Swedes.

My all time favorite blades were Gillette Silver Blues...and they stopped making them. Then I switched to Iridium Supers...and they stopped making them. Then I switched to Gillette Swedes...and they stopped making them.

:mad::mad::mad:

I'm giving Feathers another shot (originally found them to be rough on me) and trying out the Red Pack Personnas, currently.

Just stay away from the Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharpedge and the Astra Superior Platinums!!:wink:


I'm sure a lot of guys are aware of this, but I've heard from several sources on here that Astras are made by Gillette, in Russia, so that might explain the similar experience I've had with them.

Maybe they're the "Swede of Russia"??

When I first reviewed the ASP, I called them the Russian Swede.

i have found that the yellow sharpedges last 6-7 shaves for me in my Barberpole HD- the shaves lead to constant faceturbation. I believe they are better than the Swede when it comes to the ATG passes.

marty

[infotech]

I have found my replacement for the Swede - the Super Iridium. I got 100 in the mail 7 days ago and have only used one blade since.

I've gotten 7 shaves out of one blade so far and it's still going strong. Much like the Swede, as it ages it still shaves very comfortably. I'm still trying to decide if I noticed some difference this morning or if it's just because of the mentality that blades don't normally last longer than 7 shaves. I'm going to keep going until I can noticeably tell a difference.

Before the Iridium's came my Red Pack IP's arrived. However, they weren't really anything special. They were similar to the Crystal. A fine blade, but not in the same League with Swedes or Iridium Supers.

(YMMV, IMHO, blades act different for each shaver, etc.)

[pbroddi]

I got a Super Iridium with a new razor the other day, and got 9 comfortable shaves out of it. I'll definitely be ordering more.

I do have a good few years worth of swedes to get through first though:001_smile

[muddy250]

Sounds like the blade for me then!
What's it going to feel like putting the last Swede in your razor? Will you really be able to do it? :confused:

[lamina]

Yeah -- actually I just got 100 Iridium Supers in a trade.

Funny thing, though -- The box says "Iridium Super", and the blades say "Polsilver". I researched this a bit and found some interesting info that perhaps the Iridium Supers and Polsilvers are made by the same company, maybe as the result of one buying the other (take a look at some of the features, like the "W" on each pack).

Haven't shaved with them yet, though, so I don't know how they compare to the Iridium blades that actually say "Iridium".


First time i hear such thing...Iridiums and Polsilvers were made at same factory in Lodz, Poland, by a company (a state one, inherited of URSS ol' times factories) named Wizamet S.A. They were fine and reliables ones, Iridiums 1st choice or blue packs, Polsilvers 2nd grade or golden packs/more economical ones. In 1992 Gillette (now P&G) bought 80% of the company (20% remaining on staff hands) to expand their operations on eastern markets (please read: ending DE production, producing and boost their carts' sales as done in the 70's in South America or downgrading the DE market).Here both stacks of 20 packs (x10 DE a pack) states externally Distributed by Gillette

It means the real Iridiums are gone now and it's time to sell Polsilver because still on stock ??:frown:

Wizamet produced too a nice SS head/razor clone as seen here

http://www.allegro.pl/item792833285_wizamet_lodz_maszynka_do_golenia_w_1 1.html

[soapbox]

First time i hear such thing...Iridiums and Polsilvers were made at same factory in Lodz, Poland, by a company (a state one, inherited of URSS ol' times factories) named Wizamet S.A. They were fine and reliables ones, Iridiums 1st choice or blue packs, Polsilvers 2nd grade or golden packs/more economical ones. In 1992 Gillette (now P&G) bought 80% of the company (20% remaining on staff hands) to expand their operations on eastern markets (please read: ending DE production, producing and boost their carts' sales as done in the 70's in South America or downgrading the DE market).Here both stacks of 20 packs (x10 DE a pack) states externally Distributed by Gillette

It means the real Iridiums are gone now and it's time to sell Polsilver because still on stock ??:frown:

Wizamet produced too a nice SS head/razor clone as seen here

http://www.allegro.pl/item792833285_wizamet_lodz_maszynka_do_golenia_w_1 1.html

The adjuster ring on that razor looks exactly like a Super Adjustable ring, too. Interesting.

[brg]

After buying a pack a few weeks ago, I was able to get the remaining 3 packs of 6 "Swedes" from a supermarket.

They are the best blades I tried so far, no doubt about it. Need... MORE! :eek:

[ferroburak]

I hear that a lot of Swede users are using Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharpedge and Gillette 7 O'Clock Permasharp. I like them both, but not quite as much as I liked the Swedes.

My all time favorite blades were Gillette Silver Blues...and they stopped making them. Then I switched to Iridium Supers...and they stopped making them. Then I switched to Gillette Swedes...and they stopped making them.

:mad::mad::mad:

I'm giving Feathers another shot (originally found them to be rough on me) and trying out the Red Pack Personnas, currently.


We should stop this :001_smile

[Lyssis]

I found this kind (http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Image:Eurogillette_cb_front.jpg) of Platinums at a local store. In a paper package, individually packaged and what some call "russian" glue spots. Are these the swedes everyone is talking about? Just trying to figure out what these are.

[shamus]

FWIW....I just received and delivered, 95 Blue Bird DE blades to a friend in the VA hospital. He feels that the Blue Birds are the same as the Gillette Swedes and loves the blades.

Cheers.

[jpkunst]

I found this kind (http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Image:Eurogillette_cb_front.jpg) of Platinums at a local store. In a paper package, individually packaged and what some call "russian" glue spots. Are these the swedes everyone is talking about? Just trying to figure out what these are.

Those are the successor to the "Swedes". Almost as good. The original, no longer made "Swedes" look like this:

[KenR]

Never had the opportunity to shave with a Swede, but from how it is described, I would put the Iridium as its successor. Smooth and sharp.

[Dennis]

Adding to this thread as well. I still have a stash of Swedes - probably 20 packs or thereabouts so I am set. I don't know what it is about that blade, but it is just outstanding. I don't do well with Feathers but Swedes feel like they were born for my razors. Sharp, smooth and zero irritation. Before them, I used (old) Derbies and IPs, but those don't hold anything to Swedes. I try to use Feathers off and on, and I get irritation in a variety of razors (Prison Tech, NDC Super Speed, HD, Slant, Feather Portable, NEW) from them no matter how careful I am.

I also got a sample pack from DrIdiot when I bought my Feather Portable (Kia, Gillette 7 O'Clock Green, Chroma and Bics). I did not like any of those blades - Kias were laser sharp with zero forgiveness - probably sharper than Feathers or least on par. BICs and Chromas stunk, and the Gillette Greens were the least offensive of the group but not that great. I now divide my shave time between DEs, Schicks and GEMs. A 1912 GEM with a Pella-style blade (stainless PTFE coated) is every bit as good as a Swede for me and probably better than an average DE shave too. The Schicks are right up there too.

A friend of mine recently sent me a few Iridium Supers, Astras, Sharks and one other blade I don't recall (all from West Coast). I had an awesome shave with the Iridium Super this morning in a Merkur HD. It felt very, very close to a Swede for me and could easily replace them. I will test how long I can go on an Iridium as compared to a Swede, but it looks like it will be a week at least from above posts - my friend was getting 6 shaves. I would definitely check those blades if you are still looking to replace Swedes.

[guenron]

If you are concerned about identifying the Swedes from the others, the following is a photo of the back of the packaging. Incontrovertible evidence that you've purchased the real deal.


http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=3511

[jpkunst]

Note that Gillette Platinums with this on the back of the packaging are also the real deal. These are a later incarnation.

[coolbluewater]

FWIW....I just received and delivered, 95 Blue Bird DE blades to a friend in the VA hospital. He feels that the Blue Birds are the same as the Gillette Swedes and loves the blades.

Cheers.


I was so impressed with the Bluebird I was PIF'ed (thanks Chris :thumbup1: ) that I ordered a box of 100 from ntguys.
This coming from a vet who used to buy packs of English Wilks from the PX in 'Nam for a quarter back in '69.