Crystal Israeli in plain white wrapper? Are these fakes?

**Gecoble** · 08-13-2012, 09:52 PM

I recently purchased 100 Crystal Israeli DE blades on eBay. I had used some from a sampler pack and loved them. The blades I received had the proper packaging, but the paper that holds the blade is missing all the classical making of the blue Super dot and blue Platinum wording. The blades are harsh and dull.

Then I noticed that the blades were missing some of the number/letters usually found on production runs such as ABCD or D11. I had a few of the blades from my sample pack, so I tried them and the experience was radically different. No irritation and only a few passes for a good shave.

Is it possible that these blades are not genuine? I find it hard to believe that there would be a market for knockoff blades.

**alex2363** · 08-13-2012, 09:55 PM

these guys may know more http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdi...y-Razor-Blades

**bryan1980** · 08-14-2012, 05:18 AM

Sounds like (in my uneducated opinion) you got some fakes. I say this because I've never seen the term "harsh" associated with any Israeli blade.

Believe it or not, there's a market for a fake anything.

**Gecoble** · 08-14-2012, 07:43 AM

This is what I got back from the seller. It just seems odd that the plant would produce some in white paper while others in the more classic wrapper. It actually would be a more complex process, unless they are phasing out their classic wrappers to save money. ASR is in bankruptcy after all. The Blue wrapper are only for the Reds, correct?

============================
Hi,
The blades you recieved are Israeli Crystal blades from ASR (American Safety Razor). ASR is owned by Personna. I get these blades direct from ASR. They have apparently closed one of the factories in Israel and consolidated into one. Some of the blades come in a white wrapper, as you received, and some in the more familiar blue wrapper. The maufacturer assures me that the blades themselves have not changed.
Thanks

**TheBigL** · 08-18-2012, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by Gecoble

I recently purchased 100 Crystal Israeli DE blades on eBay. I had used some from a sampler pack and loved them. The blades I received had the proper packaging, but the paper that holds the blade is missing all the classical making of the blue Super dot and blue Platinum wording. The blades are harsh and dull.

Then I noticed that the blades were missing some of the number/letters usually found on production runs such as ABCD or D11. I had a few of the blades from my sample pack, so I tried them and the experience was radically different. No irritation and only a few passes for a good shave.

Is it possible that these blades are not genuine? I find it hard to believe that there would be a market for knockoff blades.

Can you get a picture? The white wrapper sounds more like the barber blades. Does the blade have arrows or say "Super + Platinum"?

**Gecoble** · 08-18-2012, 08:40 AM

Click image for larger version.

Name: Super Platinum.jpg
Views: 341
Size: 32.9 KB
ID: 266087

I hadn't consider barber blades. It was in the standard packaging with peg holes for displaying on a rack. What I noticed the most was that there is none of the production run information on the blade. I ordered another batch from Amazon and all of these have a D11 on the outer edge of the blade, just like the ones I used in the past. But these blades do not have these markings. I tried the blade from the Amazon retailer and it was an excellent shave this morning. The blades in the photo. Not so much.

Any insight would be appreciated. I am concern that the ebay seller is selling a bogus product. Here is where I ordered the bad batch of blades.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390370605036...#ht_4046wt_952

Here are the blades I got from Amazon. Notice the D11 mark.

Click image for larger version.

Name: photo (1).jpg
Views: 335
Size: 36.7 KB
ID: 266097

**jwilock** · 08-18-2012, 10:31 AM

Yes, there are Crystals that come in plain white wrappers.

**Gecoble** · 08-18-2012, 11:48 AM

Thanks, Jim. I must admit the performance is far different from the blades in the classic blue and white wrappers.

I also find it odd that a ASR would produce blades with plain white wrappers and others in the blue and white wrappers. I can't imagine that anyone in the marketing department would approve

**jwilock** · 08-18-2012, 12:56 PM

Well, I must admit I read this too quickly. I'm very familiar with the Israeli blades that come in a blue wrapper, and one that comes in white with blue writing. When I read this, and before I saw the pictures, I thought it was questioning the white wrapper with blue writing vs the blue wrapper. So I now I can't say for sure about just "all white" with no writing at all. However, bear in mind there are at least two different wrappers for IPs (Crystals) and there is a plain white wrapper for Israeli Reds that are also made by Personna. So there are indeed several different wrappers for Israeli Personna blades.

Here's a thread that explains the complexity of Israeli blades. It may or may not put your mind at ease. In the end, if they don't work for you, don't buy them again whether they are "real" or "fakes".

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...raeli-Personna

**xillion** · 08-18-2012, 01:47 PM

Also check out the The Official Guide to Israeli Made DE Blades below.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...Made-DE-Blades

**TheBigL** · 08-18-2012, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by Gecoble

I hadn't consider barber blades. It was in the standard packaging with peg holes for displaying on a rack. What I noticed the most was that there is none of the production run information on the blade. I ordered another batch from Amazon and all of these have a D11 on the outer edge of the blade, just like the ones I used in the past. But these blades do not have these markings. I tried the blade from the Amazon retailer and it was an excellent shave this morning. The blades in the photo. Not so much.

Any insight would be appreciated. I am concern that the ebay seller is selling a bogus product. Here is where I ordered the bad batch of blades.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390370605036...#ht_4046wt_952

Here are the blades I got from Amazon. Notice the D11 mark.

I just dug my Super Plus + Platinums out. Mine were bulk packed, so I never had a box or card. I never cared for them much but I did notice that mine say "Made in Israel" on the blade next to the arrow, as in the picture in the "official guide." Have you tried another pack? Maybe you just got some defects?

**Gecoble** · 08-19-2012, 06:06 PM

Thanks, BigL. I did try razors from different packs with the same plain package. Had the same results from all. They were equivalent to the Sharp Durablade razor. Rather grabby. I just find it odd that there is no letters/numbers on the side of the blade. All the Crystals I have ever used always had something on them.

Well, live and learn. The new Crystals I got from the Amazon dealer are great compared to the ones I got from EBay.

**TheBigL** · 08-19-2012, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Gecoble

Thanks, BigL. I did try razors from different packs with the same plain package. Had the same results from all. They were equivalent to the Sharp Durablade razor. Rather grabby. I just find it odd that there is no letters/numbers on the side of the blade. All the Crystals I have ever used always had something on them.

Well, live and learn. The new Crystals I got from the Amazon dealer are great compared to the ones I got from EBay.

I used one of mine this morning. I had the results I seem to remember: A nice smooth shave, but not so great results.

**Nanker/Phelge** · 08-19-2012, 08:08 PM

May be a little late chiming in here but I have a 10 pack of Crystals with white wrappers as pictured in photo #1 above. I got them from Shoe Box Shave Shop so I highly doubt they're fakes. In either case I haven't had any luck with them, maybe I should try out the blue/white wrappers...

**Gecoble** · 08-20-2012, 05:13 AM

Nanker/Phelge - Thanks for setting the record straight. They are just not great blades. This might explain why ASR filed for Chapter 11. Their model is too confusing.

**TheBigL** · 08-22-2012, 03:25 AM

I see that the same seller is now selling Crystal Brand stainless steel blades with the new chromium nitride coating. Blades have no printing with a plain white wrapper.

**joost** · 08-22-2012, 08:26 AM

I have HEMA blades that are also supposed to be made by Personna. Which are wrapped in the same plain white wrapper. But without anything written on the blades. These perform very poorly for me I experience them the same way as you did yours as "harsh and dull".

**jwilock** · 08-22-2012, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by TheBigL

I see that the same seller is now selling Crystal Brand stainless steel blades with the new chromium nitride coating. Blades have no printing with a plain white wrapper.

I've got some Personna blades that were a throw-in from a vendor. They come in plain white paper with no writing on the blade. He said they were what people here have been calling "barbers".

**justinjohnson86** · 08-23-2012, 12:29 PM

did yours coming in the black peg hook packaging? I opened mine from the sampler pack I got and heard raves about crystals... The second it touched my face I knew I was in for it. First pass was WTG and left weepers in random spots of my face. Threw it out and put in a red personna.

This was yesterday and I got the plain white wrapper as well...

**CyclingCraig** · 08-24-2012, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by TheBigL

I see that the same seller is now selling Crystal Brand stainless steel blades with the new chromium nitride coating. Blades have no printing with a plain white wrapper.

Ohhh great! I just received my WCS Order that had my 100 pack of crystals. Opened the box. The blades I received came in black packaging that said "crystal". Opened the pack and took out a blade.... Plain white wrapper and the blade itself is blank, no printing at all on either side!!

I am surprised since they came from WCS. The original sample pack I received from them had the one with the white wrapper with blue writing just like pictured above!

What is going on!!!