Iridium, Petersburg Products International etc

Gillette own 65% of a factory in St Petersburg, Russia that makes about a dozen of the best brands of DE razor blades.
Just recently they stopped production of the Iridium blade and once the word got out the remaining stock sold out in one day.

It makes sense for Gillette to get out of the low profit commodity DE market and to concentrate their efforts on the new, high margin, patent protected Guard razor instead.

Now there is bad news from inside Russia about two more St Petersburg DE razor blade brands.

Buying blades from Russia cheaper? - Page 2 - Badger & Blade

"they cannot get hold of their favourite Astra anymore"
"Sputnik is slowly disappearing"

FWIW I just bought another 150 Astra blades.

Guard razor information here: Gillette go back to a single blade with the Gillette Guard — BruceOnShaving.com

Hello, Bruce:

Thank you for your excellent reporting on this.

At this stage in my life I've come to expect anything from the world that prays to a stack of money every morning. The Gillette Guard will probably make money for Gillette, as have probably all the other designer razors it has produced. Gillette then will move on with another designer razor and make more money. And then Gillette will move on with . . .

And so the saga will go on with the usual mantra: "This razor will give the cleanest, fastest shave . . ."

As for razor blades, if they make money, that's great, and if they don't, adios. And so it goes.

Stay well.

Regards,
Obie

FWIW...


The Shave Den - View Single Post - Irridiums

Luckily there are many other quality blades to choose from.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr. Scruffy

FWIW...


The Shave Den - View Single Post - Irridiums

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He was enquiring about Astras and Sputniks.

Its rumours like that which spur me on to perfect my str8 razor tecnique :)