Not so super iridiums?

[mohowski]

I have been DE shaving off and on for a year, and for the last 2 months solid, about every 1 to 2 days. I get an ingrown hair or two per week, some minor and some horrible ones. I have a beard like steel wool and have been experimenting with blades to see if any of them are sharp enough to give a good shave without having any ingrown hairs show up.

I was using Derby blades which were pretty forgiving but didn't cut well and made it impossible to go ATG. Next I tried an Astra which was great although there was still some resistance to cut the really thick areas of my beard. Most recently I tried a super iridium, which I thought were supposed to be very sharp and last a while. I used the same blade for two shaves and the first shave was OK but the second shave was horrible for some reason. Lots of pulling and tugging during the shave, and 3 ingrown hairs a few days later :(

Anybody else had bad experiences with the iridium blades? Maybe I happened to get a bad blade? Even the Derby's were still good on shave #2. Maybe I'll try one more fresh iridium before I decide to move on, but I have graduations and a dance to go to this weekend so I need to be looking swell and the ingrowns don't help.

EDIT: Whoops, I meant to post this in the shave clinic but was in the wrong tab when I hit "post".

[Son]

I tried my first Super Iridium today. I wish I had not... Contrary to all good things said about it, for me it has turned a mediocre P&G blade at the best. It is no better than Gillette Platinum (and Platinum being 50% cheaper) but that is what I have thought it would be... But, for me, SI is less of a blade than Platinum. Rough shave and generally an unpleasant feeling or the lack thereof. Halfway sharp, half way responsive... halfway a blade. I guess this is what bad Derby samples shave like...
Sure, I had much worse experiences with some other blades but not with such highly regarded blade.
I am glad for all those who love Super Iridium but I will stick with Feather and Derby. Super Iridium is just not good for my skin.

[agent005]

I tried my first Super Iridium today. I wish I had not... Contrary to all good things said about it, for me it has turned a mediocre P&G blade at the best. It is no better than Gillette Platinum (and Platinum being 50% cheaper) but that is what I have thought it would be... But, for me, SI is less of a blade than Platinum. Rough shave and generally an unpleasant feeling or the lack thereof. Halfway sharp, half way responsive... halfway a blade. I guess this is what bad Derby samples shave like...
Sure, I had much worse experiences with some other blades but not with such highly regarded blade.
I am glad for all those who love Super Iridium but I will stick with Feather and Derby. Super Iridium is just not good for my skin.

Like you....I love the feathers so when I heard the hype about iridiums I thought i would try (most said they were as sharp as a feather but smoother). First shave with them I got some nasty burn...keep in mind I was still fairly a newb newbie....but i hadnt recieved the burn with my feathers before hand. So after about 3 months now of DE shaving with feathers....i decided to revisit the iridiums the other day and i'll have to say that I was impressed. It was a very smooth shave and very sharp blade. I think there is a possiblity that iridiums may have some manufacturing inconsistencies were as sometimes you get a good blade and sometimes a dud.

[beginish]

I used my first Super Iridiums a couple of weeks ago, and found them to be sharp enough, but not all that smooth. I have certainly had better shaves from other blades, and Feathers have already been mentioned, but you may want to try Shark Super Chromes or Super Stainless, or some of the Indian or Russian Gillette variants, like the Yellows, Greens or Blacks. There are plenty of fish in the sea, and you should just keep experimenting until you find the right one. I took me 11 tries before I found the first one that was both sharp enough and smooth enough for me.

[Dennis]

Nope. I really like them. On par with my gold standard - Swedes. They just don't last as long for me - maybe 5 shaves or so.

[ateace]

I tried them last year for the first time. I got very smooth shaves, but the razor burn was so bad, my wife commented on it. That said, my go to blade is the Red Personna, so I may not have been adapting to the SI the way I should have.

I plan to revisit them soon to see if I can get a better result. Different technique or a different razor should do the trick.

[DE Shaver]

I must admit, these are some of my favourite blade. However, not everyone will them to their liking. If you used to one type a blade, a new blade will require some adjustment.

[maxman]

hmmm. I was gearing up to try some super iridiums.
I'll save my money and stick with the feathers.

[aimsport]

I hope the quality didn't change in later batches... because my Super Iridiums are flawless.

[john parker]

Happy with my Super Iridiums. As sharp, smoother and longer lasting than Feathers to me.

[johnmrson]

In my experience Super Iridiums are a very sharp blade but like all modern blades, don't hold their edge for very long. Three shaves and it gets tossed. Blades are a very individual choice though. Razor / blade combination can also play a big part in shave quality.

[mohowski]

I've decided to give the Super Iridium another chance via a fresh blade in the 34C. This time I'll do a full "hot shower w/ lather" prep instead of the Kyle's prep and see if it makes a difference. If not I'll move on to the feathers.

[antoine1]

If you've been getting ingrown's and you have a beard like steel, I'd avoid shaving ATG irrespective of blade type. You're shaving too close.

[amishmotorboat]

I hope the quality didn't change in later batches... because my Super Iridiums are flawless.

Mine were too. I hope the quality is consistent between batches because that was one blade I wanted to load up on again. Like the OP, I also compare this blade to the gillette platinum plus, except in a good way.

edit: sorry, I see it's not the OP, but the first response comparing it to the platinums.

[Uncle Erik]

Fortunately, I've found nothing but good quality from Iridiums and they're always good for three shaves, maybe one more. Too bad they don't work for you. I hope something else does.

[mohowski]

If you've been getting ingrown's and you have a beard like steel, I'd avoid shaving ATG irrespective of blade type. You're shaving too close.

The thing is, even if I go 2x WTG, 1x XTG, 1x ATG with the 34c and an Astra I don't get as close as if I just do 1 WTG and then 1 ATG with the M3 razor, and I never used to get ingrowns going ATG with the mach 3. :( The problem with the Mach 3 is I only get a few shaves out of a cartridge before it gets dull and starts to really irritate my face. I was buying a new pack of M3 blades every few weeks but at least there were no ingrowns and I looked smooth.

I tried out a fresh Iridium after my shower tonight and it was unsatisfactory. 2WTG and 1 XTG and I still look like a bear. I think I'm going to move back to the Astras for a few shaves to see how it goes since I know they can mow it down pretty well. And if I still don't have better shaves a month from now, would a more aggressive razor be in order?

[thunderball]

Hmmm...I find them to be a superior blade.

[TiberiuR]

I'm also curious.
Could you do a favor, and look at the back of wrapper! Right bellow the "Don' wipe blade" thing.
Tell me if there is a marking like D2414 something written on it.

Also people, post if your Iridiums have the D24123 printed on the back. Please.
I have a hunch.

[slantman]

I'm also curious.
Could you do a favor, and look at the back of wrapper! Right bellow the "Don' wipe blade" thing.
Tell me if there is a marking like D2414 something written on it.

Also people, post if your Iridiums have the D24123 printed on the back. Please.
I have a hunch.

There is no number or lettering below the words
"do not wipe rinse only"

[raisindot]

Put me in as well as a fan of SIs--nearly as sharp as Feathers, but with less laceration.


If anyone unhappy with their SIs wants to trade them or sell 'em to me, PM me and I'll take them off your hands.

Jeff in Boston