Space_Cadet
I don't have a funny description.
Can't understand what all this talk is about. The microscopic views show clear difference between the blades. Period. Can't argue with that.
That you read about a post referencing EM scans of a few unknown blades demonstrating that they were different blades isn't evidence that there is no rebranding at Gillette's St Petersburg plant. I don't have any inside knowledge, I'm just saying that rebranding is plausible. Also, based upon the various comparative reviews on this website, I think rebranding is even likely. I'm not trying to start a war, I'm just interested in other's opinions.
There actually have been very detailed posts with microscopic scans,however,you are correct,some blades are rebranded for different buyers,such as this Sharp Star,which I am sure is a Rapira...http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/421124-Rise-amp-Sharp-Star-blades
The blades are made in the same plant, and packaged by the same people, but the blades and their sharpness levels are all slightly different. Not to mention the coatings differences. Platinum blades and un coated blades shave completely differently for most people. I am one of the lucky ones who can get a good shave from just about any blade, but even I can tell the difference between a coated and un coated blade. Not to mention the difference between Teflon and Platinum coatings and their on face feeling.
So I call this one BUSTED! There is a difference between these blades and their on face feeling and sharpness.
- Gillette Nacet (FMR Prago Union DIU)
- Gillette Super Stainless (PPI)
- Gillette Platinum (PPI)
- Gillette 7 OClock Diamond (India *** blister pack /w handle only)
- Gillette 7 OClock Super Stainless (PPI Green Packaging)
- Gillette 7 OClock SharpEdge (PPI Yellow Packaging)
- Gillette Silver Blue (PPI)
- Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum (PPI Blue packaging) (OOP)
- Gillette 7 OClock Super Platinum (India Black Packaging)
- Gillette Minora (PPI)
- Gillette Bleue Extra (PPI) (LP)
- Gillette Wilkinson Sword (India NFE) (Wiltech)
- Astra Super Stainless (FMR Prago Union DIU)
- Astra Superior Platinum (FMR Prago Union DIU)
- Astra Keramik (FMR Prago Union DIU) (OOP)
- Polsilver (FMR Wizamet) (OOP)
- Polsilver Super Iridium (FMR Wizamet)
- Gillette Goal (Manaus, Brasil) (Mexico City)
- Gillette Super Thin (Thailand Vietnam Shanghai JV)
- Gillette 7 O'Clock Permasharp Stainless (India green packaging)
- Gillette 365 (Manaus, Brasil) (Mexico City)
- Gillette Rubie Platinum Plus (PPI)
- Gillette Super Blue (Shanghai JV)
- Permasharp Super Stainless (FMR Permatik Celik Sanayi)
- Sputnik (FMR FCP via Leninets)
- Tiger (FMR Prago Union DIU)(OOP)
- Rotbart Extra Dünn (FMR Prago Union DIU)
- Gillette Super Silver (FMR Prago Union DIU)(OOP)
- Gillette Azul Aço Inox (Manaus, Brasil) (OOP)
PPI does not manufacture private-label blades, nor store-branded. Nacet and Silver Blue are not manufactured to the same specifications.
Be advised that all PG/Gillette manufacturing facilities are held to the same high QC specifications worldwide, manufactured with identically-equipped lines using the same proprietary technology, regardless of geographical location.
I believe there are 9 different branded blades manufactured at the Gillette plant on St. Petersburg. Does anyone really believe that each of these are separately spec'd blades? Financially, that would make no sense. When people argue over which is better, GSB, Perma-sharp, or Nacet, I have to think that they are the same blade rebranded for different markets.
Just a SWAG, but I'll give Gillette maybe 3 different blades from that factory, the rest are rebrands.
Has anyone considered that perhaps the "microscopic views" were generated and introduced to internet shaving forums by Russian mobsters controlling the plants where these blades are made in order to get us to buy and try more blades because we think they're all different? Think about it......
Thanks for the informative link. Giving Mishka the benefit of the doubt, all that we have learned is that GSB and Nacet are not the same blade; that says nothing about the others. Also, I don't think that anyone has accused Gillette of shoddy manufacturing. Results vary from blade to blade and month to month. The QA/QC process is designed to keep products within a specified range of tolerances, not to keep the products absolutely identical; that would be impossible.OK... Here's what we can all assume to be inside information. A list of all Gillette blades. You asked for it; B&B forum history provides it.
And an example of first-hand knowledge from the same expert, that different models are not the same blade in different wrappers (coincidentally the exact same two as mentioned hypothetically just up-thread).
And to discount the notion that variations between blades are due to shoddy overseas equipment and manufacturing/QC processes...
OK... Here's what we can all assume to be inside information. A list of all Gillette blades. You asked for it; B&B forum history provides it.
And an example of first-hand knowledge from the same expert, that different models are not the same blade in different wrappers (coincidentally the exact same two as mentioned hypothetically just up-thread).
And to discount the notion that variations between blades are due to shoddy overseas equipment and manufacturing/QC processes...
Sometimes I get the impression people think the blades are being manufactured on 100-year-old machines, in a derelict factory with broken-out windows and no heat, by displaced Cossacks half-drunk on cheap vodka.
I've addressed this topic here many times so I have nothing more to add, other than to reiterate what I've already posted. Whether or not my information is believed is not a concern of mine. Each PG/Gillette brand of blade is produced to it's own unique set of specifications. This is easily accomplished with the modern advances in technology and the research behind it. There is no rebranding of identically-manufactured blades packaged under different brands. There are many different types of facial hair (aka YMMV) and we produce different blade brands across the globe to accommodate them.
Have you tried all the blades coming out of the St. Pete plant to verify that no two of them feel the same to you? For instance, PermaSharp Supers are made for and sold in Turkey. They used to be made by someone other than Gillette out of their St. Pete plant and were a very popular blade in Turkey. Then Gillette started making them in St. Pete. Maybe they brought over the machines they used to be made on, or have blank stock that is unique to what used to be used for the Turkish blades ... or, maybe they took one of the very many blades they already made in St. Pete, stuffed them into PermaSharp Super boxes and sent them to the Turkish market. I think we would need someone inside the St. Pete plant to tell us for sure.
You seem very knowledgeable about St. Pete products. Do you know if the Gillette Platinum blades in the white box with blue lettering are still in production. I've found them in grocery stores in Italy and I've hears they sell them in Spain. But I haven't heard of them being available anywhere else and vendors never have them for sale. Are Italy and Spain just selling off the last of a discontinued product or are these still being produced?