My Derbys have gone mad!!!

**KWyKJJ** · 02-19-2010, 12:59 AM

Hello everyone,

I finally finished my extensive blade experimentation and when the cream settled, Derbys were the last standing. So, I went through three packs of them and was quite happy indeed. I was so happy that I ran off and bought 100 packs of them. They finally arrived and I was shocked. They are probably the worst blades i've ever used. I'm so confused. My razor is the same (Merkur 38c), my cream is the same (TOBS Almond), my prep is the same, but these are not the Derbys i've grown to love. I put a new blade in the razor expecting a smooth shave and it pulls like you couldnt imagine. I think I'm better off shaving with a belt sander than trying to use these. Has anyone else had this problem? I've gone through 11 blades and they are all the same. Any input is greatly appreciated guys.

-JJ

**GoldenMonkey** · 02-19-2010, 01:04 AM

There's been quality control issues with Derbs lately...there's a thread around here somewhere about the vertical vs. horizontal labelling on the packs, and one being worse than the other, but I can't find it. Lots of discussion about crap ones lately though...you are not alone.

**nav** · 02-19-2010, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by GoldenMonkey

There's been quality control issues with Derbs lately...there's a thread around here somewhere about the vertical vs. horizontal labelling on the packs, and one being worse than the other, but I can't find it. Lots of discussion about crap ones lately though...you are not alone.

+1

The vertical cardboard insert are horrid blades, very rough! The horizontal ones are fantastic, my favourite blades! I stocked up 400 of them

**KWyKJJ** · 02-19-2010, 02:41 AM

Well isn't that just great. Now i'm stuck with 500 garbage blades. They are all the vertical writing. This is unbelievable how such a great blade could be reduced to garbage. Poor form on their part. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me 500 times and well...

**Wil Dorenbos** · 02-19-2010, 02:57 AM

Originally Posted by nav

+1

The vertical cardboard insert are horrid blades, very rough! The horizontal ones are fantastic, my favourite blades! I stocked up 400 of them

That might explain why they tested so badly for my thread "Feather, measure of all blades". I had a few boxes of the vertical ones, and tested those. Might also explain why some state that Blue Birds are Derby's. They might be the horizontal ones (or equal to). Now I also have some horizontal ones, so I will try those. Hope they remind me of Blue Birds

**michiganlover** · 02-19-2010, 03:09 AM

Originally Posted by KWyKJJ

Well isn't that just great. Now i'm stuck with 500 garbage blades. They are all the vertical writing. This is unbelievable how such a great blade could be reduced to garbage. Poor form on their part. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me 500 times and well...

You could try corking the blades on the first usage (running the edge of the blade lightly through a piece of cork a few times on each side). This will smooth out the edge, and remove any tiny burrs that might be on the blade edge.

**tlanning** · 02-19-2010, 03:23 AM

That kinda for lack of a better word, "sucks". I have enough surplus blades without a bulk purchase to add to them.
How about sending them back. The vendor inturn can send them back and so forth untill Derby gets the idea that there customers want a useable blade not just a strip of junk with the Derby name on it.

**RBE17** · 02-19-2010, 04:19 AM

Sorry to hear that. I'd be pretty upset if I had 500 blades that I didn't like. I'm glad I had bad experiences w/ Derby's early on.

**TheScalpel** · 02-19-2010, 04:57 AM

any places to buy the horizontal derbys in bulk?

**media** · 02-19-2010, 08:45 AM

Derby has gone to sh*t. It's a shame, since it's one less dependable blade.

Red Personnas are the way to go. Better than derby ever was and $10/100

**Unknownsoldier** · 02-19-2010, 08:55 AM

Any pics to show the difference in boxes????

Tom

**GoldenMonkey** · 02-19-2010, 09:00 AM

VS.
Vertical

**Unknownsoldier** · 02-19-2010, 09:02 AM

Thanks, so top good bottom bad......

I have the bottom.... :( I have had two bad shaves out of about 15-8 dlades, so not all can be affected, just wondering about my next unnopened box......

Tom

**brian1g** · 02-19-2010, 09:12 AM

I bought 100 derby blades off ebay just because most people report good results with them and my skin is not sensitive at all. The blades I received are the verticals and I really hate them.

The first shave with them is not that great but I can manage without too much irritation. After the first shave they are garbage, get dull in a hurry and give a very rough shave.

I have been using them for 1 shave and tossing just to get rid of them.

**xgunterx** · 02-19-2010, 09:14 AM

Damn, and I thought the horizontals were already rubbish.

**moodymick** · 02-19-2010, 09:53 AM

just been going through a selection of blades i won. although i started out with a couple of Derbys i progressed on to Astra's and after a week of decent shaves i threw in a Derby as that was all i had in my overnighter - i bled like a stuck pig in 3 places. got home today, replaced Derby with my last Astra and was fine. for me at least Astra's are the benchmark - so bring on the next!!!

**GoldenMonkey** · 02-19-2010, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by xgunterx

Damn, and I thought the horizontals were already rubbish.

Agreed, lol.

**maxman** · 02-19-2010, 10:23 AM

My father is stuck with 150 cursed Derby blades.
they're only good for 1 shave.
I'd feel bad trying to sell them to anyone.

**mstrunck** · 02-19-2010, 02:40 PM

I have luckily only bought 10 blades of the horizontal, but I get a very uncomfortable, yet very poor shave from a new blade, where as on the fourth or fifth they perform a quite nice DFS, without razor burn or other long term discomforts. They are still pretty tugging and pulling though.

I can't wait until my UK 120 blade sampler from ......... Shaving arrives ;-)

/Max

**mstrunck** · 02-19-2010, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by mstrunck

I have luckily only bought 10 blades of the horizontal, but I get a very uncomfortable, yet very poor shave from a new blade, where as on the fourth or fifth they perform a quite nice DFS, without razor burn or other long term discomforts. They are still pretty tugging and pulling though.

I can't wait until my UK 120 blade sampler from ......... Shaving arrives ;-)

/Max

I am not buying from a company called '...........', must have been edited automatically.

If I have trespassed against a rule I was un-aware of, I hope you will have mercy on this newb. I meant no harm.

/Max