The Worst Blade?

**will78** · 02-24-2012, 03:50 AM

The cheapest blades (unbranded store blades) are almost always going to be pretty lousy.

I bought some blades here once branded as "Laser". They came substantially wrapped and looked as if they may be a decent blade....until I opened the envelope.

I could see from the way the edge was ground that it would not be a good idea to put these in contact with my face! I also read a post on this forum which seemed to confirm my suspicions. Therefore I tossed the blades in the rubbish without using a single one! Don't know what I was thinking of buying those..:s

The worst major brand name blade I have used was a Merkur. It probably would have been ok if my skin was made of rawhide.....

**SteveWY** · 02-24-2012, 11:42 AM

Thanks to B&B member reviews and posts and other online research I was spared experience with many of the blades mentioned in this thread. I skipped Merkur, 7 AM, Dorco, Treet, and others. The only one I did try (in WCS sample pack) was the Derby. I rated it as "OK", about a 7/10 for me. I would still use them but I found Reds, Crystals, and Astras all much better and a good combination of sharp & smooth.

**Zarba** · 02-24-2012, 02:20 PM

Tie between Merkur and Derby

**jsj_297** · 02-24-2012, 03:49 PM

Merkur
Derby close second, a very, very close second...Maybe almost a tie.

**Blade Boy** · 02-24-2012, 04:10 PM

The worst blade I have used are Feather Carbons, which is annoying because they were quite expensive, just go's to show not every thing Feather makes is awesome.

**cwnidog** · 02-26-2012, 02:17 PM

The worst of the "good" blades IMHO is Derby. But blades are a really subjective thing where one man's meat is another man's poison.

**5savages** · 02-26-2012, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by cwnidog

The worst of the "good" blades IMHO is Derby. But blades are a really subjective thing where one man's meat is another man's poison.

I just started using the Derby from my sample pack. The first blade was very bad. Tugged a lot and gave me a lot of razor burn. I stuck it out for three shaves with the first blade. Today i started the second blade and surprisingly, I got a pretty smooth, relatively painfree shaving.

Now I'll have to use a 3rd Derby blade so I know whether it was the first blade or second blade which was the dud.

**Useless shaver** · 02-27-2012, 08:53 AM

I know, gentlemen, that I'll be stoned to death for what I'm about to say, but for me it was.... (drumroll) Astras. They were really harsh to my skin

. YMMV!!

**cwhiteboy** · 02-27-2012, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by Useless shaver

I know, gentlemen, that I'll be stoned to death for what I'm about to say, but for me it was.... (drumroll) Astras. They were really harsh to my skin

. YMMV!!

I've just finished shaving with my second Astra SP blade, and I have a similar experience. The SS's where absolutely insane, so much irritation. The SP's felt much better, but still some irritation (lots of tugging), and not a close shave at all... I'll have to set them aside for a couple months.

**Rjack** · 02-27-2012, 09:26 PM

I haven't noticed such a big difference among brands. I've used about 15 different brands over three months, and I can get a really good shave from any of them. I've gotten bad shaves from the premium brands, and great shaves from the cheaper brands. Mostly it has to do with my prep. When I'm careless with good prep or in a hurry, I don't get a good shave.

**TRW** · 02-28-2012, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by SharpEdge

AAFES PX blades, no way Jose.

The AAFES blade works great in my Edwin Jagger.

**talibeard** · 02-28-2012, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Useless shaver

I know, gentlemen, that I'll be stoned to death for what I'm about to say, but for me it was.... (drumroll) Astras. They were really harsh to my skin

. YMMV!!

No stones from me. Rough blades that pulled more than they cut. I don't get the love for these blades at all but such is the nature of YMMV.

Originally Posted by cwhiteboy

I've just finished shaving with my second Astra SP blade, and I have a similar experience. The SS's where absolutely insane, so much irritation. The SP's felt much better, but still some irritation (lots of tugging), and not a close shave at all... I'll have to set them aside for a couple months.

Another YMMV, so interesting how differently people react to a blade. From the 4 types of Astras I used I really liked the good old Czech SS's and from nowadays production the SS's are still the most bearable blade of them all, followed by the Keramiks and the SP is just a pain in a dark place. But some love those as their #1.

**BubbleBoy** · 02-28-2012, 07:12 PM

Big Ben.

**Jimbo** · 02-28-2012, 09:07 PM

Treet. Most others work ok for me.

**5savages** · 02-28-2012, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Useless shaver

I know, gentlemen, that I'll be stoned to death for what I'm about to say, but for me it was.... (drumroll) Astras. They were really harsh to my skin

. YMMV!!

I'm with you on this. I just recently tested Astra SP and Derby and guess what...with my rating system, and my results, Derby beat Astra by a nose. Derby was a little more irritating, but gave me a better shave. Between Astra SP and Personna Lab there's no contest. Lab's kick their butt.

**¢orey** · 03-14-2012, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Treet. Most others work ok for me.

^ This.

Shaved with Treet Classic last weekend and I had a gash for the first time in forever. Figured that perhaps it was down to user error (despite the fact that I don't normally have these problems), so I prepped my face with some pre-shave, used a superlather, etc. and STILL hacked my face again.

Treets. Never again.

**Kostas1** · 03-14-2012, 01:44 PM

Merkur. I swear these things are hazardous. No pressure, no beard reduction. Pressure, blood letting. Definitely an instance of a duller blade being more dangerous than a sharp one.

**5savages** · 03-14-2012, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Kostas1

Merkur. I swear these things are hazardous. No pressure, no beard reduction. Pressure, blood letting. Definitely an instance of a duller blade being more dangerous than a sharp one.

I tried the one that came with my 38M first and it sliced my face up. I assumed it was my noobness coming through but I keep seeing people mention how horrible they are. I picked up two Merkur blades from the blade bank and after I've been using a DE razor for at least half a year (I'm just over 2 months) I'm going to try them again, to see if it gets any better.

**lancj1** · 03-14-2012, 02:12 PM

You know, I reckon ymmv is the most accurate thing about blades. I have tried feather, treet, lord super chrome, chain store personna, wilkinson sword, Merkur. Not a lot in my short career but great shaves from each. All completely acceptable. Just done nine shaves with a Wilkie.

The only experience I have had that seems common with some is the over irritation of the feather. Super smooth shave but lots of red where it felt like a skin peel had been done.