Crystals vs Red Pack IPs

[BYUTexan]

Tell me which one do you prefer?

[Nick D.E.vious]

Reds here.

[BYUTexan]

they seem identical to me, my two best blades so far.

[Bobtrumpet]

I prefer the Crystal/IP (Super+ Platinum version) of all the blades I have tried.

However, I just bought 100 Red Pack Personnas to give them a try, as I had not used them in about 10 months and was just starting out with the DE then. We'll see how it goes.

[bonusmarple]

If I cork the Crystals, they are better than the Red Pack.

[Duckster]

they seem identical to me, my two best blades so far.

Same here. After trying both many times, I ended up buying the red-packs in bulk only because they cost less.

[BYUTexan]

If I cork the Crystals, they are better than the Red Pack.

doesn't corking the blades dull them?

[TedGamble]

I've used both. The Crystals are nearly identical to Derbys in performance. They are good, but not superb. The IPs on the other hand, last longer, are sharper and are smoother. For me, it's IPs, FTW!!!

YMMV

[Oel]

I prefer the Super + Platinum (Crystals). There are some dull (maybe counterfreit) red IPs around and when I order Super + Platinums I know what I get.

[IronJohn]

Red Packs all the way.

[Viiru]

If I cork the Crystals, they are better than the Red Pack.

doesn't corking the blades dull them?

It does, but only a very little bit. Have you ever noticed the second (and perhaps the third) shave on a certain blade being better than the first one? For some blade and person combinations this happens consistently. Some of those people (myself and Derby blades included here) just live with it, others cork the blades, and stories have been heard of even wilder things done in the search of the perfect shave...

I haven't tried corking myself (yet), but there are people on this board that claim to get excellent results with the trick.

[ginhud]

I just bought 100 of each because I like both. However, if they were drowning I'd probably save the reds first. But alas, the crystals seem to require their own mindset, like "OK Gary this is a crystal, treat it like a crystal". I don't know the best way to compare actually, switch every other day, switch every blade change or ?? I'm switching every 4 or 5 blades maybe. I usually go 4 shaves then bring on a new blade. Giving the crystals a run in a recent acquired super adj long hdl set at #5.

[cricky101]

Same here. After trying both many times, I ended up buying the red-packs in bulk only because they cost less.

Me too. The reds are available in bulk very cheap, so that's the way I went.

[meglad]

Red Packs for me, though I've only used the Crystal's a couple of times

[johnniegold]

The only two blades I use.

1. Crystals
2. Red IP's

[wundergussy]

These are my top two, but I find myself preferring the Crystals. Of course, now this thread makes me want to get 100 reds...

This corking thing is interesting.... I do seem to enjoy the second day a little more than the first, but I usually don't go for a third.

[Schwert]

Well I just read 16 pages on corking....I am convinced to try it. I am also plumb wore out reading

I need to order up some Crystals and Red IP's me thinks.

[scoopster]

In general I prefer Red Packs. I feel they are sharper than IP's, provide a great shave and are cheaper. They are a little less smooth than IP's so sometimes when I want the smoothest,gentlest shave I grab an IP.

[whitebar]

Of the two you mention, I've had better luck with the Crystals although both work fairly well for the price. They just don't perform in the top tier for me like swedes and super iridiums.

[slowlivin]

I give a slight edge to the Crystals. They were my "ah ha!" blade in my fairly large sampler pack. I find them to be a touch sharper and smoother than the Reds.