Bad quality control at Astra?

**breadstick** · 08-24-2011, 04:20 PM

I bought a 100 pack of Astra superior platinum blades from WCS a while back after deciding these were the blades for me. I have found, however, that I occasionally get a pretty bad blade out of one of the packs. I also discovered that when I get a bad blade, the pack usually has a few other blades in it.

Has anyone else found this to be true?

**Gone Gray** · 08-24-2011, 04:49 PM

I like Astras, but I've also had a few inconsistent blades. That's why I'm a total Feather guy now. I was in the Air Force for over 20 years and had a chance to see a few Russian aircraft in those days. I was always surprised by the poor quality of workmanship on those planes and a few other of their products, so it wouldn't surprise me if their razor blade factory had some quality control issues.

**David in Boston** · 08-24-2011, 04:53 PM

On rare occasions I've notice a bad blade.

I'd be getting a little to much "pull" than I would like.

But for the majority of times the Astras have performed in a sharp and smooth way.

**mftoms59** · 08-24-2011, 07:43 PM

The "few" bad ones I discovered tugged a bit on the first shave, and usually worked fine for the second and third. I haven't had anything worse than the tugging, which occurred ~ 3 times and not from the same pack of blades, but from the same 100 lot I had purchased. I still have ~8 packs left, so 3 of 60 isn't a high percentage of "bad" blades IMO, of course YMMV.

**Stubblefield** · 08-25-2011, 07:37 PM

I rarely have an issue with an Astra.

**jmg** · 08-25-2011, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by Stubblefield

I rarely have an issue with an Astra.

+1

**ikeyballz** · 08-26-2011, 03:10 AM

Darn, I was so sure I was getting a 100 pack of Astras...maybe I have to do derbys instead?

**infabo** · 08-26-2011, 03:16 AM

Originally Posted by ikeyballz

Darn, I was so sure I was getting a 100 pack of Astras...maybe I have to do derbys instead?

No. Maybe Super-Max Platinum. But the Astra SP is a good blade, but imho Lord Platinum are better.

**InHotWater** · 08-26-2011, 03:27 AM

I think the Astra SP are one of the better of the reasonably priced blades out there, maybe give the Sharks a try too. Even a 100 pack of 7 o'clock Yellows will be much cheaper than say.. CVS brand generic gillette sensor cartridges, I try to look at it that way ;)

**cfender** · 08-26-2011, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by InHotWater

I think the Astra SP are one of the better of the reasonably priced blades out there, maybe give the Sharks a try too. Even a 100 pack of 7 o'clock Yellows will be much cheaper than say.. CVS brand generic gillette sensor cartridges, I try to look at it that way ;)

Good point. In my quest for the perfect DE blade I'm often measuring the "value" by calculating the cost per shave. For example, .$.20 per shave for the Feather vs. $.10 for the Gillette Yellow. Then I blow up the whole cost per shave equation by buying some cream/brush/razor/after shave etc. that I really don't need.

I came to DE shaving because I felt shamelessly gouged by the catridge prices but now I enjoy the shaving experience so that I splurge on the gear. It really doesn't make sense to obsess with the cost of blades when I'm dropping so much more money into the other components.

**Walter Sobchak** · 08-26-2011, 09:36 AM

+1
Still my favorite blade. Never had any face-graters come out of a pack, but once in a great while I get one that tugs a bit.

Originally Posted by David in Boston

On rare occasions I've notice a bad blade.

I'd be getting a little to much "pull" than I would like.

But for the majority of times the Astras have performed in a sharp and smooth way.