The smoothest blade

**beisler** · 11-01-2011, 06:58 AM

Great post cfender--I totally agree with everything except I WILL give up feathers for the PS's and SI's

**k2clones29** · 11-01-2011, 07:02 AM

Gillette Russian Greens are the smoothest for me. Personna Reds aren't bad. Gillette Yellows are the sharpest I can go without a rough shave, but it isn't the smoothest either. Bic is a smooth blade for me as well, but only in my HD. Use it in my R41 and I get nicked pretty bad.

As you can see, you will get as many opinions as their are posts! That's why the first opinion posted (get a sampler pack) is the best answer for you.

**redbike** · 11-01-2011, 09:38 AM

I'm surprised that no one listed the the Swedish Gillettes as among the smoothest blades. It's my go to blade for my most aggressive razors, and has never disappointed me with its combination of sharpness and smoothness. I use many of the other blades listed, but for me the Swede is in a class by itself. The Bleu Extras are a close second.

**jwilock** · 11-01-2011, 02:09 PM

Swedes - not talked about probably because if you didn't pick some up some time ago they are virtually unobtainable. Schick Plus Platinums, Spoilers and SIs are all easily obtainable, if a bit pricey.

GBE's - like SI's, these are still readily available and a great choice for those that can't get their hands on a Swede - at least that's what I've read from numerous posters that have tried both. Personally, I'm in that group of guys still trying to find a Swede to try. So I can't confirm they are similar. But I can say that GBEs are among the best blades I've ever used.

**CharlieFoxtrot** · 11-01-2011, 02:16 PM

The smoothest to date for me is the Astra SP's. I found Sharks to be very smooth but not as sharp. With Sharks I have to go 4 passes to get the desired result.

**swcarter** · 11-01-2011, 03:33 PM

Sounds like you're on the right track. When you first start DE, you're so crazed at the closeness of the shave you want a BBS every time. After a while, you'll find (at least in my experience) that you don't have the time to devote to a BBS everytime (at least M-F) or that you'll end up with more nicks than if you settle for something less. Regardless, I'm pretty happy with the results and will never go back.
Sure you'll get answers on blades that are all over the place. Get a sampler. What works for you is what works for you. For me, Feathers in my EJ DE 89 and Derby's in my Mergress work just great.

**redbike** · 11-01-2011, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by jwilock

Personally, I'm in that group of guys still trying to find a Swede to try.

That's just not right. Got any Gillette blacks to trade for a few Swedes? Five or so?

**Viseguy** · 11-01-2011, 08:28 PM

Personna Med Preps or Labs are worth a serious look.

**nymtber** · 11-02-2011, 09:52 AM

I originally posted Lab Blue.

Then, I tried a Gillette 7 O'clock Yellow.

I now say the Yellow is a nice bit smoother, and every so slightly sharper. I hear the 7 O'clock Black or Blue are even smoother yet, Might have to try some.

**Kramerica** · 11-04-2011, 09:07 AM

+1 on the Med Prep Personna. Just a fantastic blade all around.

I have a nice stock of SIs, too. I plan to order more. I really like that blade a lot.

But, as long as ASR keeps making the med prep, all will be right with the world...

**Augustiner** · 11-04-2011, 11:45 AM

Astra SP

**frank V** · 11-04-2011, 11:58 AM

For me it's the Feather, a great super sharp blade!!!!

**thIs6Nly** · 11-04-2011, 12:07 PM

Feather Razor, Feather Blade, AdP. If it was any smoother, my face would melt.

**kingfisher** · 11-04-2011, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by mmack66

Smooth to me means no tugging, pulling, or pain.

Using this definition, I haven't found any blade that is as smooth as a Feather.

**Johnny_Ludlow** · 11-28-2011, 12:19 PM

Feathers have given me the best results. No tugging, pulling or pain. Clean shave with minimal pressure. I obviously don't have the experience of you guys, but I have to say I don't quite understand the concept of smoothness. With cartridges and DE's alike, I've always felt sharp is smooth.

What - if not sharpness - makes the blade smooth?

**Rylos** · 01-21-2012, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Johnny_Ludlow

Feathers have given me the best results. No tugging, pulling or pain. Clean shave with minimal pressure. I obviously don't have the experience of you guys, but I have to say I don't quite understand the concept of smoothness. With cartridges and DE's alike, I've always felt sharp is smooth.

What - if not sharpness - makes the blade smooth?

The question that killed the thread but deserves an answer so here's a bump.

**CWX** · 01-21-2012, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by Rylos

The question that killed the thread but deserves an answer so here's a bump.

It's not just about the sharpness - a lot has to do with the coating, the finish, how the blade is ground, etc. Most important is the feel on the face. I found SuperMax Stainless to be very sharp and they gave me a very close shave but they weren't smooth and I ended up with several weepers and more than a little irritation. On the other hand, I would say Voskhods aren't very sharp but are very smooth. It took me 4.5 passes to get a BBS but my face felt great afterwards. A good blade balances these. YMMV but I find that Gillette Yellows do a great job in achieving this balance.

**Rylos** · 01-21-2012, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by CWX

It's not just about the sharpness - a lot has to do with the coating, the finish, how the blade is ground, etc. Most important is the feel on the face. I found SuperMax Stainless to be very sharp and they gave me a very close shave but they weren't smooth and I ended up with several weepers and more than a little irritation. On the other hand, I would say Voskhods aren't very sharp but are very smooth. It took me 4.5 passes to get a BBS but my face felt great afterwards. A good blade balances these. YMMV but I find that Gillette Yellows do a great job in achieving this balance.

TY, lots of good info there. Much appreciated.

**shanman** · 01-21-2012, 08:40 PM

Smoothest I've found personally:
Crystal (Israeli Blue)
Schick Plus Platinum
Gillette Platinum (St. Pete)

Smoothest, but too sharp:
Swedes.

**man00ver** · 01-21-2012, 10:16 PM

In current production, it's hard to beat the Personna Med and the Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum (India Black) for smoothness.
In the discontinued lane, it's a virtual tie between Gillette Bleue Extra, Gillette Spoiler, English Wilkinson and Schick Plus Platinum. Then again, I haven't yet tried the Swedes (except the French version, which didn't rank for me) or the Personna 74 (though I'll be using one of those throughout the month of February).