This Voskhod review is my 6[SUP]th[/SUP] and final review of razor blades included in Italian Barbers From Russia with Love sampler pack. I decided to save the Voskhod blades for last as they are thought of quite highly by a majority of the B&B community. With that said, blades and scents are the most polarizing variables of our wonderful shaving hobby. These two factors are truly YMMV so just because I (or anyone else) do not like a blade, it is always worth trying one for yourself. I highly recommend Toothpicks blade exchange or even including a small sample with any item that you sell/trade/PIF to another B&B brother. The previous 5 blade reviews can be found below:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/394641-Review-Rapira-Platinum-Lux-Blades
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/395701-Review-Ladas-Super-Stainless
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/398065-Review-Rapira-Super-Stainless
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/402092-Review-Rapira-Swedish-Supersteel
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/405129-Review-Rapira-Stainless
As with the other blades, Voskhods come double-wrapped. An inner paper layer was held shut by a single, faint wax dot on the blade. The dot was not located near the cutting edge and did not intrude or hamper performance in any way. The outer layer was your typical wrapping-style paper found on various other blades.
After utilizing 4 Voskhods, I would rate them as slightly above-average and 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] overall in the sampler pack (just behind the Rapira Swedish Supersteel). Initial sharpness and smoothness were very nice same as the aforementioned Rapira Swedish SS. Unfortunately, it did not retain that sharpness for very long. I got 3 shaves out of the blades but the last blade-buffed ATG 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] pass was, at times, very uncomfortable. They were Feather-like in that performance dropped off a cliff as opposed to a gradual degradation.
I would not be opposed to obtainin a 100-pack of Voskhods. The first 2 shaves were always effortless and they are available at a very inexpensive price point. In reality, I will most likely purchase a 100-pack each of Astras, Rapira Swedish Supersteels, Feathers, and Polsilver SIs. I will also take a look at the Gillette color series as I have only used a blade of a few of them definitely not enough shaving to come to a conclusion.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/394641-Review-Rapira-Platinum-Lux-Blades
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/395701-Review-Ladas-Super-Stainless
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/398065-Review-Rapira-Super-Stainless
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/402092-Review-Rapira-Swedish-Supersteel
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/405129-Review-Rapira-Stainless
As with the other blades, Voskhods come double-wrapped. An inner paper layer was held shut by a single, faint wax dot on the blade. The dot was not located near the cutting edge and did not intrude or hamper performance in any way. The outer layer was your typical wrapping-style paper found on various other blades.
After utilizing 4 Voskhods, I would rate them as slightly above-average and 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] overall in the sampler pack (just behind the Rapira Swedish Supersteel). Initial sharpness and smoothness were very nice same as the aforementioned Rapira Swedish SS. Unfortunately, it did not retain that sharpness for very long. I got 3 shaves out of the blades but the last blade-buffed ATG 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] pass was, at times, very uncomfortable. They were Feather-like in that performance dropped off a cliff as opposed to a gradual degradation.
I would not be opposed to obtainin a 100-pack of Voskhods. The first 2 shaves were always effortless and they are available at a very inexpensive price point. In reality, I will most likely purchase a 100-pack each of Astras, Rapira Swedish Supersteels, Feathers, and Polsilver SIs. I will also take a look at the Gillette color series as I have only used a blade of a few of them definitely not enough shaving to come to a conclusion.
