Found a blade I love.... and that's the problem.

**Sobriquet** · 10-10-2009, 07:06 AM

So I've been diligently going through my "letterk" sample pack that I bought a bit after I got into DE shaving (Thanks B&B!).

After studiously writing down my impressions of the blades so I'd remember when I got to the end of the set... I've decided I like the Gillette blades. I went online to order more only to realize these are the "swede" blades that are now discontinued!

The only blades I haven't tried yet are the Feathers. Can you guys recommend which blade is the closest replacement for the wonderful swedes and if they're hard to find - a reliable US source?

Many thanks as always, B&B.

**luvmysuper** · 10-10-2009, 07:23 AM

Try the Feathers. Great blade.

**johsa** · 10-10-2009, 08:14 AM

Try Super Iridiums or Gillette 7 o'clock SharpEdge (yellow)

**82R100** · 10-10-2009, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by Sobriquet

The only blades I haven't tried yet are the Feathers. Can you guys recommend which blade is the closest replacement for the wonderful swedes and if they're hard to find - a reliable US source?

I'm afraid you'll have to check your notes.

- Chris

**Sobriquet** · 10-10-2009, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by 82R100

I'm afraid you'll have to check your notes.

- Chris

Tried a Crystal Israeli again this morning. It really irritated the heck out of me and didn't give me nearly the shave the Swede did. I guess tomorrow I'll try the Feathers and reassess. I don't think the Israelis will work for me.

**redbike** · 10-10-2009, 02:48 PM

That's the problem with the genuine Swedes: once you try them most other blades just don't measure up to their shave.

**WhosYerBob** · 10-10-2009, 02:55 PM

Feathers - they're awesome.

**Sobriquet** · 10-10-2009, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by redbike

That's the problem with the genuine Swedes: once you try them most other blades just don't measure up to their shave.

So what are you going to now that they're gone?

**sandmountainslim** · 10-10-2009, 03:57 PM

Don't own any Swedes but the Russian Green Gillettes and Lord Super Stainless work just peachy swell for me

Wp

**Stubblefield** · 10-10-2009, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by Sobriquet

The only blades I haven't tried yet are the Feathers. Can you guys recommend which blade is the closest replacement for the wonderful swedes and if they're hard to find - a reliable US source?

Well, they do pop up on eBay now and then so keep your eyes peeled. Another blade to try is the NOS Gillette Super Stainless, they and the Platinum Plus are the predecessor to the Swede.

**Luc** · 10-10-2009, 06:37 PM

Feather, Kai, Supermax, Astra Superior Platinum, Derby, Crystal, Israeli, ... You still need to experiment!!

**Hughies_online** · 10-10-2009, 07:49 PM

+1 on Kai

**dashmaverick** · 10-10-2009, 09:17 PM

I'm hooked on the Shark Stainless... also, Bluebird blades work very well for me too. Why not give those a try...

**DSB** · 10-10-2009, 10:37 PM

I suggest trying the Gillette 7 O'Clock sharp edge (yellows). You can try a 5 pack at westcoastshaving.com.

**redbike** · 10-11-2009, 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by Sobriquet

So what are you going to now that they're gone?

I still have 70 of them and 70 of the Gillette Bleu blades, which are very similar if not identical. I have good success with RIP's, Gillette Sharpedge (yellow package) Derbys and Feathers in some razors, so I have a blade rotation of sorts.

**jpkunst** · 10-11-2009, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Sobriquet

Can you guys recommend which blade is the closest replacement for the wonderful swedes and if they're hard to find - a reliable US source?

Iridium Super.

I don't know about a US source as I order them from the UK.

**Sobriquet** · 10-12-2009, 09:55 AM

I tried the Feathers this morning for the first time. No cuts or nicks, but my skin is a little irritated. I felt more dragging than with the Swedes. Maybe I just had an off morning - it seemed like I was doing more touch ups.

I'll give it another go. My problem right now is that there are a few brands I want to try, but no one vendor seems to sell all of them. I'd like to try the Bluebirds, Kai (can't find these at all), Shark, Israeli Personas (tried the Israeli Crystals with horrible results), Gillette 7o'clocks, and the Irdiums. The one I most want to try from the recommendations is the Bluebirds, but West Coast doesn't carry them. He has a few of the others, though.

I'm thinking about making an eBay account just to order some of the Blues. It looks like this is going to be a drawn out process.

**lamina** · 10-12-2009, 10:29 AM

Iridiums by all the ways!!

**Emmett** · 10-12-2009, 11:03 AM

Red Pack Personna, can't believe no one's mentioned them yet. Much smoother than Feathers for me and just as close a shave.

**TX Shane** · 10-12-2009, 12:01 PM

I'm using my last Swedish Gillette blade and I will definitely be sad when it's gone because of its balance of sharpness and smoothness.

I'll be going to the 7 O'Clocks because they're close. I find that the 7 O'Clocks start out a little rough/sharp, then hit a sort of peak performance that is comperable to the Swedes, but then don't last as long.

If you're having this much trouble, maybe work on your technique - perhaps with a month of using just one blade (maybe Derbys?) then try the samplers again and see what you think. I mention this because the Isreali Personnas are considered by many to be pretty forgiving and shouldn't be causing you much irritation. Feathers "dragging" also doesn't sound right...