Item of the Week 7/22 - Gillette 7 O'clock Blades

[Hinano_Paul]

Ok guys I am bowing out on this one, three shaves in and I cannot take any more I surrender! I had some 7OC yellows from a sampler pack, missing one which I dont remember using, anyway while still pretty new to this DE gig I am getting pretty good with smoothness and technique. But man these blades are not for me.

First two shaves were so so, not BBS but ok. Third shave today and feels like I used a butter knife just could not get it cut. Great feedback from my Merkur 23C so I could "hear" it cutting but only got so close. Gave it my best three pass try with a lot of touch up so have fun but I gotta move on.

 

[Khelben]

A most excellent shave today with the Green. Two passes left me just this side of BBS, which very rarely happens, and the head shave afterwards had similarly great results. This blade has now given me more than one 'Wow!" moment, in a good way.

 

[goh2499]

I accidentally left a Gillette black in my knack for nearly two weeks. The shave while smooth it was the post shave that left me with some major burn. It took me a moment to realize I hadn't replaced the blade on Sunday when i was a little under the weather. This is becoming my goto blade when first trying a new razor. It is one of favorite blades thus far.

 

[Reevers]

Shave #2 on my Gillette 7OC, another great shave! I did feel a little tugging towards the end of the shave. I head shave whenever I shave my face and there's a lot of area to cover, so 2 shaves for me might be 4-5 face only shaves. Anyway I'll be more than happy to throw in a fresh blade for my next shave.

BBS, no irritation, its currently 6 hours since my shave and my face still feels smooth!

 

[ateace]

Thursday

Shave #3 for both me and the G7 black, thus time in a 50s English Tech.

The blade is still going strong. Going back and forth between the American Techs and their English cousins can be a little, um...irritating if I forget to stop a little sooner with the latter, which I did this morning.

 

[musicman1951]

I like the Blacks. They seem as sharp as the Med Preps, but smoother on the first shave. They don't last quite as long and cost more money, but they are a nice blade.

 

[Haggises]

#3
NEW LC Ball tip, 7 o'clock Green (1), MW Maestrale, Vie long horse/badger beehive

Changed the blade, rewarded with a close if slightly irritating shave. Thinking that's the NEW rather than the blade.
Must get to know my NEW better.

 

[TonyJoe]

Shave 2 with the Yellow, this time in my '65 Slim set to 7 and some Godrej soap whipped up with my Ever Ready 100T. A nice shave - easy and comfortable, but not quite as close as the NEW, and not quite as close as the Blue was in the Slim. That first shave of the week was the best so far.

Tomorrow I'm moving on to the Black.

 

[SteveWY]

Today was shae #3 with the G7OC Black in my Red Tip. Italian Barber/Semogue boar brush w/Cella. Another DFS. Finished up with some alum block and a splash of Floid Suave. Nice!

 

[azshooter40]

Black 7OC in my Merkur Progress set at 1.5. I was being a wimp today
TOBS Jermyn st cream

First time using the Blacks and they feel a little sharper then the yellows. DFS shave with some minor irritation in unusual places. My technique needs some work but the blacks and yellows will be in steady rotation in the Progress.

 

[i8ntskeered]

I used a black 7OC in my slim again today. I was in a bit of a rush, so I face-lathered KMF Key Lime because it is such a no-brainer. I am REALLY starting to dig the KMF creams. They're cheap, locally available, very slick, and easy to get a great lather.

Anyway, a very quick 3-pass shave with the slim set on 7 was comfortable and effortless. I caught my upper lip going ATG, but there was no blood whatsoever. I thought for sure that I was going to have to dive for the styptic. No blood, no foul.

I'll use the black again tomorrow for the third shave on that blade. I'm curious to feel how it performs on shave #3 since there are so many that are getting a 1 or 2 and out performance from them. Someone posted earlier that the higher price tag is not worth it if the blade only lasts for a couple shaves. I would have to agree. The 7 o'clock blacks are very smooth and comfortable on my face, but I can't see spending more money for a blade that doesn't have the longevity of a cheaper blade that performs just as well.
As always, YMMV.

 

[eblau]

I'll use the black again tomorrow for the third shave on that blade. I'm curious to feel how it performs on shave #3 since there are so many that are getting a 1 or 2 and out performance from them. Someone posted earlier that the higher price tag is not worth it if the blade only lasts for a couple shaves. I would have to agree. The 7 o'clock blacks are very smooth and comfortable on my face, but I can't see spending more money for a blade that doesn't have the longevity of a cheaper blade that performs just as well.
As always, YMMV.

I think that's where I am with this blade.

I went for a 5th shave on a 7OC black today. It felt comfortable, but I noticed redness on my lower neck afterwards, so I think 4 shaves should be the limit for me with this blade. Considering the cost and that I can get 3 good shaves from an Astra SP, I don't think I'll repurchase them.

Don't get me wrong, the shaves have been good, but I got them 105 for $25 and I can get 100 Astra's for less than $10 shipped. Most of the time the blacks seem to be going $35 for 100.

 

[Reevers]

Not such a good shave today, I threw in a fresh 7OC yellow. But the blade didn't seem as smooth as teh previous. In fact I have a 15mm vertical cut on my head! I only shave WTG & ATG for my dome, so it hasn't happened from a sideways slip of the blade in my hand, it has happened durring a stroke!

Anyone else experience quality issues with these blades?

 

[ateace]

Friday

Fourth and, most likely, the last shave for me in this thread.

Also the fourth shave for the G7 black, loaded into a current production 7 O'Clock Sterling head (Tech) mounted on an aluminum Vostok handle (styled after English Techs).

The light weight of this razor makes it comfortable, but requires much more work to get the job done. Chasing BBS may not be practical or even possible for most.

I usually get four to five shaves out of these blades, so this is a good time to wrap it up and watch how things go for the rest of you.
Looking forward to the next IOTW.

 

[Allegrabene]

I've been using a yellow all week and it may have supplanted the black for my favorite 7oclock blade. Smooth, sharp, durable. 5 in and still going

 

[Haggises]

#4
NEW LC, Green 7 o'clock, TFS Summer croap, TGN 18mm Finest

Not bad. Again a little rough. Going to use a Rapira in the NEW LC tomorrow to see which bit is giving me trouble.

 

[SteveWY]

#4 with black G7OC in my '56 Red Tip. B&B boar brush + Provence Sante soap. Still smooth through a 3-pass and some buffing. Finished with RazoRock Alum and a homemade ASB. I think I will stay with this blade through the weekend. I may have to find a deal on these blades.

 

[TonyJoe]

Shaved with a fresh 7OC Black in my Slim this morning. I had one weeper that came on after I put on aftershave, but otherwise it was a good shave. The blade cut smoothly and didn't leave me too raw even though I got a pretty close shave.

 

[Lather]

Friday's shave:

Merkur 34C HD & G7OC black blade
Simpson Milk Churn brush
TOBS Avocado
RR alum
Proraso green AS

I think I found a winner. The G7OC black blades are awesome and in some respects better than Astras. I got a bundle from IB and will probably order more to stock up. For me, the yellows and greens are good but the blacks are the best.

 

[azshooter40]

Black 7OC in the Progress set at 3
TOBS Jermyn st-mounds of great lather
DFS 3 pass shave. A few nicks as I was feeling bold and cranked the progress up 3 which is the most aggressive I have gone wih it.
Overall, the black seem to last a bit longer then the yellow and seem sharper. The green just did not work for me. One more shave tomorrow with the black.