Generic descriptions for popular DE blades?

[gcbryan]

Anyone have any basic descriptions for the most popular DE blades as in why do you like one over the other?

I'm thinking about Astra SP, Feathers, Gillette Silver Blue, Persona Blue, Voskhod, Polsilver and any other popular ones.

I only know about Astra SP and Feathers. I'd say Feathers are very sharp and the first shave can be a little less than smooth.

Astra SP are pretty sharp and pretty smooth but probably could be smoother. Much better in that regard than Feathers however. Probably the best value when considering their low price (100 blades shipped for $10).

How do the others compare?

[MajesticShaver]

I agree that Feathers can be less than smooth, tho I do like their sharpness when using a mild razor like my Grandfather's vintage '54 SS TTO. Astra is a nice blade for the value, but on my last pack of them I found some inconsistencies from blade to blade as some of the edges were very rough and produced a lot of irritation.

Currently Personna Blues are my choice for value, sharpness and smoothness.

As always YMMV.

[criswilson10]

I've found that YMMV a lot with which blade works for you on different DEs. The feather may be great for you in close comb TTO, but it may shred you in a slant.
If you are unsure what blades you might like, I'd recommend getting a sampler kit. I know SRD and Maggard's have sampler packs, I'm sure other places do as well. It's a cheap way to figure out what you don't like.

[BobH]

There are a few variables involved when finding a DE blade that is best suited to you personally. The same DE blade may behave differently in different razors and how sensitive or not your skin is. If you have more than 1 DE you may have to try different blades in each to see what works best for your skin sensitivity.

A sample pack of different blades is a good place to start in order to find the best blade before making a bulk purchase.

As with using a straight razor do not discount how important having a good lather, proper angle and a light touch is either. I could not use an aggressive DE with a Feather blade before I learned how to shave well with a straight razor. Now I enjoy using an aggressive DE and Feather blades simply because I learned to make a very good lather, find the right angle and use a very light touch.

Bob

[JimmyHAD]

For me the current favorites are the Feather, Gillette 7O'Clock (yellow), Astra SP. In that order. YMMV.

[thebigspendur]

Yea the feather is my go to blade. The Gillette yellow is next in line.

[tcrideshd]

Feather, then Polsilver Iridium. Tc

[Geezer]

Tight razor with good clamping and less edge exposure=thin blade. Loose clamping older razor or lots of blade edge exposure= Stiff thicker blade.
Trial and error is the way we learn.
Blade sample pack is a good start. Learning one razor/ blade needed at a time is the way to go. Angle of blade edge to face is very important!!
YMMV?
~Richard

[kelbro]

Feather, then Polsilver Iridium. Tc

Same for me...

[Jim99]

A sampler kit might be the way to go. I've found through trial and error that Astra SP, Gillette 7 o'clock yellow and Personna lab blue blades work best for me. A sample pack might take out some expensive guesswork for you.