Anyone else with bad experience using Dorco?

**grautskaahl** · 09-13-2009, 01:30 PM

I decided to go crazy today and try a new blade from the sampler pack I got with my razor (7 brands from cs), so I tried Dorco. After 1/2 wtg I got it out of my razor and put my last IP back in. Dorco was horrible. I know it wasn't a problem with the lather, because the IP worked absolutely fine and I know it wasn't because of the more-than-normal amount of beard either (same reason as with the lather - IP worked just fine). Either it was just a bad blade or it's simply that Dorco doesn't work with me. It just didn't feel sharp enough. It pulled my hairs more than any of the other blades I've tried (granted, I've only tried Derby, Merkur, Feather and IP [in order of poor performance -> good performance]). Have anybody else here had this experience with Dorco? I'm asking because I want to give it a second chance in case it was just something wrong with that particular blade, but I might not give it another go if more people claim they're poor.

**talibeard** · 09-13-2009, 02:18 PM

There are two types of Dorco of which the st-301 is generally considered the better of the two; anyway I can't get a decent shave with either of them so you are not alone in this.

You might want to check the review section to read what others think of them but there seems to be little middle ground here; you like them or you hate them...

**aquilla** · 09-13-2009, 03:36 PM

only tried them once but got lotsof nicks and weepers, i wont use them again

**Slamarche** · 09-13-2009, 03:50 PM

I have used ST301 Dorco's with a Fatboy and a 1948 Superspeed. Had very good results consistently with no weepers or irritation. Have not tried the ST300 but I have some from a sampler pack. I am going to give the ST300 a go later this week.

**cim_can** · 09-13-2009, 09:18 PM

It's not that I have painful shaves with Dorco's (I can't remember which one, it came in a sampler pack from West Coast), but I can never get a great, close shave out of them.

**Topgumby** · 09-13-2009, 10:08 PM

I'm one of the lucky ones that gets good, comfortable shaves with either of these Korean blades. I prefer the ST-301 to the ST-300, and honestly prefer other blades to either of these two, but it wouldn't make me grow a beard if they were the only blades I could get.

If you can't stand them, hold on to them so you can send them along with a razor you BST or PIF them to a new shaver.

**Jonnie** · 09-14-2009, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by Topgumby

I'm one of the lucky ones that gets good, comfortable shaves with either of these Korean blades. I prefer the ST-301 to the ST-300, and honestly prefer other blades to either of these two, but it wouldn't make me grow a beard if they were the only blades I could get.

If you can't stand them, hold on to them so you can send them along with a razor you BST or PIF them to a new shaver.

+1

I suppose it all comes down to the dreaded YMMV which I'm finding out is more like YMM( and most likely will)V.

I'm still pretty new to DE shaving but am working through my WCS everything sampler set using a Merkur HD. I started with the DORCO ST-300 and really liked them; tried 4 to get a good feel of them. Went to Derby next (which have tons of really good reviews) and for some reason it was like trying to shave with a really worn out blade! Tried two of them just to make sure it wasn't a bad first one and might as well have been shaving with a tin can lid. On to Personna which was OK for me but nothing special. Now using DORCO ST-301 and I'm really loving this blade (again, for me) getting BBS or near-BBS every day and 7 shaves per blade. Won't probably go that many once I settle on which one to use but am pushing them all a bit to see how well each blade does for me.

I was worried at first that I wouldn't be able to tell a difference in blades but it must have just been because I lucked out and randomly started with a blade that worked pretty good for my razor/beard/technique combination. I would try a second blade just to make sure they don't work for you then keep looking for your sweet blade combination. Another thing I've seen posted is that a blade that works terrible in razor X will work great for the same person in razor Y so might hang on to them to try in other DE's.

**DE7** · 09-14-2009, 07:14 AM

I have used Dorco ST300s in my non-adjustable razors and didn't like their performance. However, I find I can get a decent shave with the ST300 in my Slim set on 7 or higher. Having said that, I still prefer Crystals or Red Personnas.

Mike

**Emmett** · 09-14-2009, 07:43 AM

Dorco for me = scrapescrapescrape. Ow.

**luvmysuper** · 09-14-2009, 08:52 AM

Many people feel the same way about the Dorcos.
I've seen more negative posts about them than I have positive.

**David in Boston** · 09-14-2009, 10:36 AM

The 300s were just awful.

The 301s are quite nice.

In fact they are in my rotation.

**calcustom** · 09-14-2009, 10:40 AM

Dorco 301's do not work well for me in TTO's but in razors like the NEW or HD they do a good job.

**mkevenson** · 09-14-2009, 12:11 PM

I will NEVER buy a DORCO blade again! Nuff said

**auee1977** · 09-14-2009, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by talibeard

There are two types of Dorco of which the st-301 is generally considered the better of the two; anyway I can't get a decent shave with either of them so you are not alone in this.

You might want to check the review section to read what others think of them but there seems to be little middle ground here; you like them or you hate them...

I agree. I tried both types of Dorco blades and was not satisfied with either.

**VaHomebrewer** · 09-14-2009, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by DE7

I have used Dorco ST300s in my non-adjustable razors and didn't like their performance. However, I find I can get a decent shave with the ST300 in my Slim set on 7 or higher. Having said that, I still prefer Crystals or Red Personnas.

Mike

In a great example of YMMV, the Dorco blades that came in my WCS sampler pack have been working well for me (don't know whether it's the 300 or 301). Tried a Crystal from the same sampler and cut myself more than I ever did with a Sensor and had tons of burn. The Crystal also skipped across my face like my 3 year old son skips down our sidewalk! Haven't tried my Red Personnas yet.

**Austin** · 09-14-2009, 03:21 PM

I like Dorcos. They are mild and always render a good shave.

**tlanning** · 09-14-2009, 03:31 PM

HOW COINCIDENTAL, I can't stand Dorcos, worst shave and only time I switched in the middle of a shave.

I was all happy today when an order arrived in my mail box, (2 weeks late) with new, (to me) razor blades--supposed to be iridiums and guess what, THEY WERE DORCO ST 300!! O well both blue packs I guess. (they were from your friend Austin).

**shaveBandito** · 10-20-2010, 01:10 PM

I just received a 100-pack of the 301s last week (BTW this is my very first post in here) - and with a good oil prep (American Crew) and lather (TOBS Sandalwood soap + BodyShop maca root shave cream) I placed one into my Edwin J razor and had the smoothest shave so far (previous shaves were with Lord Platinum, Merkur, Wilkinson white pack and Derby Extra). I am ready to use this blade again tomorrow! Excellent shave.

**HoosierTrooper** · 10-20-2010, 03:18 PM

I like the Dorco 301's and the Trac II Dorco blades from Dollar General. Bit2 sent me a couple Dorco single edge blades to test and the most damage a person could get from one of them is a nasty bruise. Horrible blade.

**M. Diego** · 10-20-2010, 03:38 PM

Not me, they are mild and very forgiving so you have to balance them with a more agressive razor.

They were terrible on my Parker SR1, but on my Dovo Shavette they are great.