Blind test #9 - Personna Med vs Lab

**Rattbones** · 08-17-2012, 05:35 PM

Anyone else think this could go 15-16 shaves? Like it did in test 7 MP vs IS.

**barsuk** · 08-17-2012, 06:02 PM

Nah, it will be over before that.

**musicman1951** · 08-17-2012, 06:24 PM

I don't know, I routinely get 6-7 shaves with a Med Prep - and that would be 14 here.

**barsuk** · 08-17-2012, 06:26 PM

I don't, I get 4 shaves and toss it, I am sure I could have squeezed 1 or 2 more but why? as always, YMMV

**crfcom** · 08-17-2012, 06:47 PM

Med Preps are one of the most durable razors in my blade locker. Its the Labs I'm watching here. I'll be surprised if they can hang with the Med Preps for long, but if they do, I'll be ordering some.

**barsuk** · 08-17-2012, 06:49 PM

Why would you be surprised? It's the same blade after all...

**crfcom** · 08-17-2012, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by musicman1951

I don't know, I routinely get 6-7 shaves with a Med Prep - and that would be 14 here.

Same here, although I may not get 7. I have three blades that I routinely use for more than 3 shaves, Med Preps, 7 oc Blacks, and Super Iridiums (including the Polsilvers), and I can count on 6 from all of them. If the Labs hang with the Med Preps, they'll be the best buy out there. More shaves per penny than an Astra SP, and that's cheap.

**crfcom** · 08-17-2012, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by barsuk

Why would you be surprised? It's the same blade after all...

I don't think we know that. I have a problem believing that Personna is selling the same Blade as the Med Prep for half price just to make people happy, and I don't think an extra wash step doubles the production cost. Still, if the Labs can hang with the Meds, I'll be ordering some, and be thanking Oscroft for the savings.

**barsuk** · 08-17-2012, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by crfcom

I don't think we know that. I have a problem believing that Personna is selling the same Blade as the Med Prep for half price just to make people happy, and I don't think an extra wash step doubles the production cost. Still, if the Labs can hang with the Meds, I'll be ordering some, and be thanking Oscroft for the savings.

What I don't know is how long each lasts, what I do know is that lab blade is the same minus the cleaning. Production cost has very little to do with how med products are priced.

**mikej7193** · 08-17-2012, 08:20 PM

Would there be malpractice/insurance issues if doctors used something that was not rated "for hospital use"? That could explain the steeper price.

**crfcom** · 08-18-2012, 05:19 AM

Originally Posted by barsuk

What I don't know is how long each lasts, what I do know is that lab blade is the same minus the cleaning. Production cost has very little to do with how med products are priced.

I'm hoping you're right. We shall see.

**ackvil** · 08-18-2012, 05:37 AM

As one of the earlier users of both blades I am curious if Alan's conclusion mirrors mine. Recently, I got 7 shaves with a Personna Med Prep blade in my Mergress.

**jwilock** · 08-18-2012, 10:43 AM

I understand that people have different budgets to support their personal grooming needs. But I've never quite understood the desire to eek out the last possible shave from a blade even after it has begun to decline in quality. Why bother to buy a blade you view as "best" and then use it beyond its prime? If Labs cost something like 15 cents apiece and you shave 300 times a year it would a grand total of $45 for an entire year even if you used a new blade for every shave. Assuming you actually use a blade 3 or 4 times before you pitch it we're now talking about $10 to $20 per year. I fully understand there is an ethic about "waste", and I share that concern. But throwing away a blade after 3 or 4 uses even though it might have 3 or 4 more shaves, of declining quality, left in it is not something that concerns me.

Like everything else shaving related, YMMV. For me I'm much more concerned about "peak performance" for the first 2 or 3 or 4 shave of a blade than in how long it will last. In fact when I Oscroft's reviews are done I always go back and look at the perceived difference for the first few shaves as I am not interested in how they perform against one anther once they are no longer "at their best".

**ackvil** · 08-18-2012, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by jwilock

I understand that people have different budgets to support their personal grooming needs. But I've never quite understood the desire to eek out the last possible shave from a blade even after it has begun to decline in quality. Why bother to buy a blade you view as "best" and then use it beyond its prime? If Labs cost something like 15 cents apiece and you shave 300 times a year it would a grand total of $45 for an entire year even if you used a new blade for every shave. Assuming you actually use a blade 3 or 4 times before you pitch it we're now talking about $10 to $20 per year. I fully understand there is an ethic about "waste", and I share that concern. But throwing away a blade after 3 or 4 uses even though it might have 3 or 4 more shaves, of declining quality, left in it is not something that concerns me.

Like everything else shaving related, YMMV. For me I'm much more concerned about "peak performance" for the first 2 or 3 or 4 shave of a blade than in how long it will last. In fact when I Oscroft's reviews are done I always go back and look at the perceived difference for the first few shaves as I am not interested in how they perform against one anther once they are no longer "at their best".

The reason I like the Personna Meds and Labs is for that very reason. I get six to seven excellent quality shaves with them. By the sixth shave they give me a better shave than Feathers do after three.

**barsuk** · 08-18-2012, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by jwilock

I understand that people have different budgets to support their personal grooming needs. But I've never quite understood the desire to eek out the last possible shave from a blade even after it has begun to decline in quality. Why bother to buy a blade you view as "best" and then use it beyond its prime? If Labs cost something like 15 cents apiece and you shave 300 times a year it would a grand total of $45 for an entire year even if you used a new blade for every shave. Assuming you actually use a blade 3 or 4 times before you pitch it we're now talking about $10 to $20 per year. I fully understand there is an ethic about "waste", and I share that concern. But throwing away a blade after 3 or 4 uses even though it might have 3 or 4 more shaves, of declining quality, left in it is not something that concerns me.

Like everything else shaving related, YMMV. For me I'm much more concerned about "peak performance" for the first 2 or 3 or 4 shave of a blade than in how long it will last. In fact when I Oscroft's reviews are done I always go back and look at the perceived difference for the first few shaves as I am not interested in how they perform against one anther once they are no longer "at their best".

You're like my twin, LOL! I don't care how good the blade is, after 3-4 shaves it's time for a new one, I see no reason to find the limits on the blade using your own face.

**Pkrankow** · 08-18-2012, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by barsuk

You're like my twin, LOL! I don't care how good the blade is, after 3-4 shaves it's time for a new one, I see no reason to find the limits on the blade using your own face.

At least once per brand it is worth pushing the limit. Knowing you can get more, or not, is at the very least better than not knowing. However, on the first sign of a bad shave because of a dull blade I pull the blade and toss it even mid pass.

I usually go 3-4 shaves per blade and currently prefer generic "Made in USA" which are Personna from the grocery. They are however getting expensive compared to buying a premium 100 pack and having it shipped.

Phil

**jwilock** · 08-18-2012, 06:34 PM

In honor of this thread I broke out a Med. Haven't used one in a while. I got three really wonderful shaves from it. Almost forgot how nice they are. Now I'm on to try a GBE with the relatively new OC razor I've acquired.

**El Judio Bravo** · 08-18-2012, 06:41 PM

I haven't yet tried a Med shiv, but I love my Lab Blues.

It seems to me from all my reading that the Med and Lab are as alike as Shark SS and SC. That is, 6 of one, half-dozen of t'other and find your best price on either. Oh, and don't sweat it; it's your face!

**musicman1951** · 08-19-2012, 05:59 AM

I suspect they will be very similar - possibly virtually the same, but there was an old post (unfortunately no longer available) which showed a different honing angle used.

I change my Med Preps every Sunday because it's easy to remember. They're not dead yet, but I did use one for 8 or 9 shaves and ended up with some unpleasant razor burn (maybe because I increased pressure?). I never want to do that again. I have a box of 100 and agree that it is silly to use any blade when it is past it's prime. I only get 3 or 4 shaves from most other blades. I imagine if my beard were more heavy/wiry I would get even less.

**Oscroft** · 08-19-2012, 06:30 AM

Interesting discussion, folks. As for how long this test will go, I had been thinking of going maybe 7-8 shaves and then seeing if there's any difference - and if they seem the same at that stage, end the test.

But I'm open to suggestions, and if people think it's worth carrying on to the bitter end, that's what I'll do.

Anyway, off to have a shave...