Thread: Gillette Astra

Just curious who has tried them and what they think about them.

that's one I haven't used , but I believe Lince reviewed them , he has tried so many I cant remember ,, tc

Are you referring to the Astra blade? The Astra Platinum DE is outstanding in my book. Always a comfortable shave whether in my old Gilltte or a no name DE.

As an aside, where's the Admiral these days?

Yes the Astra Blade.

Funny you should ask, the Admiral and the General are getting dressed and getting ready to go out on the town looking for some "comfort women" as they tell me.

I have been using Astra DE blades for a couple of months. To me they are similar to Personna reds.

I think Astra SP blades are solid performers, not as screaming sharp or harsh as Feathers can be.

Bob

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Yes the Astra Blade.

Funny you should ask, the Admiral and the General are getting dressed and getting ready to go out on the town looking for some "comfort women" as they tell me.

I forget which one I said I would be glad to house and entertain for a week. I do llok forward to their visit. I have a couple of delicate 3/8's that were asking about which ever one I couldn't remember (they don't mind either but they are bored with present company on the roster).

Funny you mention this...I was highly recommended Lord Platinum blades...that's all I have experience with. However, I also have two packs of the Astra Platinum as well, and tried one a couple of weeks ago, used it twice actually, one in a Gillette Fatboy adjustable and the other in the Merkur Slant.

They were definitely very smooth, but I found they didn't shave as close as the Lord blades or as irritation free...but that's with my experience of two different blades? Hope this helps!

Of all the blades I've used(5 or 6 different ones) the Astra Sp is my favorite. I tried the feather, and it's a great blade, but they are around 40 or 50 cents apiece. I'll pass, because they are not that good. MHO.
The Astras I think ride a line between sharp and smooth. They are a great all around blade. Sort of a Jack of all Trades, Master of None. They are just a good, basic no nonsense blade. No tugging, pulling, or any of that nonsense, sharp but smooth enough that I don't have to worry they'll tear my face up if I'm careless.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Just curious who has tried them and what they think about them.

Tried both the green and blue Astra blades and liked them very much.
Picked up the blue blades for a song on a trip to Prague and the green ones in a 100 blade order on the Internet. Both were current production (Russian made) blades.

When not using a straight; my current standard DE blade is the Feather, since I have a large cache put away, but have no problem using Astras in-between.
In fact; comparing typical prices (for 100 DE blades), I will probably order Astra blades when my existing Feather cache is depleted.

There were debates on shaving forums whether shavers prefer the blue (stainless steel) or green (platinum coated) Astra blades; I find that both perform similarly, but the green ones may be just a wee bit smoother.

But shouldn't we better discuss this in the Safety Razor section?