Decent Double Edge Blades, Please.

At home I only use a straight edge, but I don't ever fly anywhere with one: the idea of having it found in my case, let alone my jacket pocket(!) and getting hauled off for questioning, is way too much of a risk. I travel a 1960's "butterfly" Gillette, at least I did until I noticed the only double edge blades I can buy locally --Wilkinson stainless -- had gone seriously downhill. I used to get plently of shaves per blade, and even if I got stuck without a spare, I could then put the blade into the head upside down and use the other side of the edge. However I think they must have changed their production venue, because now they won't stay sharp at all, no matter how carefully I dry them. So please can you recommend a trustworthy product (that doesn't break the bank) -- at least one that outlasts the plastic disposables that for the moment have had to replaces those stupid Wilkinsons?

Gillette 7 O'Clock. Sharpedges. Awesome.

Gillette 7 O'CLOCK Sharp Edge

I like the Astra superior platinum blades. Sharp and smooth without being too expensive. You'll probably have to buy them online, though. I don't think they're in stores in most places.

Wow, Jim connaughtshaving is much cheaper than the other sites I have ordered from in the past. Do you own this site?

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Originally Posted by JimR

Gillette 7 O'Clock. Sharpedges. Awesome.

Gillette 7 O'CLOCK Sharp Edge

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Definitely my favorites as well!

Feather. Period. The best of the best. Universally accepted by all of the wet-shaving forums as the Gold standard all others wish they could be.

100 FEATHER NEW Hi-Stainless Double Edge Razor Blades - eBay (item 250527119570 end time Feb-01-11 02:58:41 PST)

I am happy with the Feather Stainless. I think you will find them the same.

Hello, Blackpool:

Of the double edge razor blades I have used through the years, I like and recommend the following:

Feather, Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (yellow packs), Super Iridium, Persona (red packs) and Derby.

For me, nothing comes anywhere near Feather blades.

I have bought many products from Connought, because their prices are reasonable and their service excellent.

Regards,

Obie

I gotta agree on the feather they are the top. I'm using Wilkinson now and they aren't bad but I'm not sure where they are made or which batch they are. The super Iridiums aren't bad either. The mercur give a good shave but don't last very long. One shave for me.

I use Wilkinson's of the German variety. Haven't had any problems with them.

If you are looking for an alternative to the Wilkinson, however, try the Gillette 7 O'clock or the Lord Platinum Stainless. I've gotten excellent shaves from them too.

Of course, there are always the Feather blades, which have an awesome reputation as the sharpest darn blade around.

They're all available online. If you want the names of the online vendors I purchase de blades from, pm me.

I find that the Wilkinson stainless seem to perform similar to the RED IP. But Astra and gillette 7 oclock are top notch. If you want super sharp you got to go with feather. I can only get around 2 good shaves out of a feather though ? If you want a killer blade that performs you might want to try Voskhod. This is one of the best I've used so far. Of coarse with blades YMMV.

I've never used Wilkinson myself, but I have heard the original English version were among the best blades out there. Apparently they have since gone down hill, as you are not the first person who claims they are now garbage.

Among the best blades (IMO) for your consideration: Feather, Crystal, French Gillettes (the "Bleue" pack), Iridium, Astra and Derby.

Israeli Personna! All the way!:)

Blackpool,

Selection of a DE blade is a very personal choice; one mans 'super' blade is very much another mans 'crappy' blade !

For me, the following DE blades shave the best:

1) Feather
2) Russian Gillette 7'o Clock
3) Iridium Super
4) Astra Superior Platimum & Astra Superior Stainless

You need to get a blade sampler pack to make an informed choice (e.g. from ConnaughtShaving: Connaught DE Sample Packs )

Good luck with your choice !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

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Originally Posted by DoubleEdge23c

Wow, Jim connaughtshaving is much cheaper than the other sites I have ordered from in the past. Do you own this site?

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Goodness, no. Just a very happy customer.

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Originally Posted by aroliver59

Feather. Period. The best of the best. Universally accepted by all of the wet-shaving forums as the Gold standard all others wish they could be.

100 FEATHER NEW Hi-Stainless Double Edge Razor Blades - eBay (item 250527119570 end time Feb-01-11 02:58:41 PST)

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Except for the people who find them irritating, and think the shave degrades after too few shaves.]

Absolutes are a b***h...

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Except for the people who find them irritating, and think the shave degrades after too few shaves.]

Absolutes are a b***h...

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There are exceptions to every rule.......

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Israeli Personna! All the way!:)

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I have just ventured back home from my local supermarket, Morrisons, and noticed that they were no longer selling Wilkinson Classic, (I don't suppose their ears were burning), replacing them with Personna manufactured in Israel. So we'll see.
I never had a problem with the Wilkinson's initial sharpness out of its wrapper, I'm sorry if I gave that impression, but the fact that the number of shaves suddenly went from about four -- shaving every other day, maybe half a dozen shaving every day -- down to one alone.

I have come down to a handfull of blades that I am really happy with. My go to blade to try a new razor or for an aggressive razor is a Red Personna and for the really sharp comfortable blade you can't beat the feather.

I also like the Wilkinson blades made in England and the 7 O'Clock Yellow package. Iridiums are a great blade as well.

There are more, but these really work for me.

Will N.

There are a lot of good DE blades available. I see several recommendations for the Feather. Personally I do not agree...I find that the blade degrades very quickly and I can only get one decent (and not so smooth) shave from a feather blade. My recommendations would be:

Super Iridium -currently out of production but if it comes back, these are simply the best. Extremely sharp, smooth and durable.

Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge -nearly as sharp as a Feather but more forgiving and better durability

Astra Superior Platinum -Similar to a Gillette SharpEdge at half the price

Lord Platinum Class -very smooth and sharp

[QUOTE=BullGoose;735655]There are a lot of good DE blades available. I see several recommendations for the Feather. Personally I do not agree...


Many thanks. I have actually just bought 100 Derby blades (a carton of 20 packs of 5) for £3.50/$5.65 inc p&p.
Yet to be opened; (a) did I do well?; (b) are they any good?

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Originally Posted by Blackpool

Many thanks. I have actually just bought 100 Derby blades (a carton of 20 packs of 5) for £3.50/$5.65 inc p&p.
Yet to be opened; (a) did I do well?; (b) are they any good?

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a) If I'm reading this correctly, you got 100 blades for $5.65? That's $0.056 per blade... yeah you did alright!! More than alright...

b) IMO Derby blades are great. Very smooth, very mild, you actually would have to try to cut yourself with one of these. Some guys don't like them though for being too mild. I guess you're just going to have to try them and see for yourself. :)

Feathers are ultra-sharp, a quality not loved by all, but they certainly are by me. They are not the longest lasting blades, and will punish mistakes, but I consider them the best DE blade made today, while understanding how they can be "polarizing."

In the next tier of very high quality blades are:

Gillette 7 O'clock Sharp Edge (Yellows). These are a premium blade at a premium price, but easy to source.

Iridium Supers. The world supply is dry at the moment with uncertainty if they have been discontinued, and compounding that problem there has been a recent rash of counterfeits.

Voskhods. A very outstanding (but until now rather obscure) Russian blade. A premium blade at a "value" price. Characteristics very similar to the Yellows. I believe these will become a very popular blade as they become more well known, but for now have what I'd call an enthusiastic "cult" following.

For a "mild" blade:

Red Personnas from Israel. Good for a beginner or others who want a forgiving value priced (but still smooth) blade. I load these in my wife's razor, which is a compliment (not an insult) to these blades.

Bill

[QUOTE=Blackpool;735688]

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Originally Posted by BullGoose

There are a lot of good DE blades available. I see several recommendations for the Feather. Personally I do not agree...

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Originally Posted by BullGoose

Many thanks. I have actually just bought 100 Derby blades (a carton of 20 packs of 5) for £3.50/$5.65 inc p&p.
Yet to be opened; (a) did I do well?; (b) are they any good?

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A) unbelievable price

B) Not a favorite of mine, but many gents seem to like them, hopefully you are one of them.

Bill

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Originally Posted by Blackpool

[COLOR="Red"]

Many thanks. I have actually just bought 100 Derby blades (a carton of 20 packs of 5) for £3.50/$5.65 inc p&p.
Yet to be opened; (a) did I do well?; (b) are they any good?

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That's a great price on derby's. Derby's are a very forgiving blade.

[QUOTE=Ryan82;736061]a) If I'm reading this correctly, you got 100 blades for $5.65? That's $0.056 per blade... yeah you did alright!! More than alright...


Only a case of pure luck..... I noticed that identical offerings were going for much more, but that the timing of this lot was strangely before breakfast time, when most English (I'm in Lancashire) would still be in bed, and most Americans would have said nighty-night. So I put in a basic bid for the starting price, got up the next morning and found I had been the only bidder.

Not likely to happen with a Wonderedge, eh!!

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Originally Posted by Blackpool

Only a case of pure luck..... I noticed that identical offerings were going for much more, but that the timing of this lot was strangely before breakfast time, when most English (I'm in Lancashire) would still be in bed, and most Americans would have said nighty-night. So I put in a basic bid for the starting price, got up the next morning and found I had been the only bidder.

Not likely to happen with a Wonderedge, eh!!

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LOL - I can GUARANTEE that would happen with a Wonderedge, or any other cutthroat in decent shape! But you never know unless you try, right?

BTW - my father-in-law is from your corner of England (Stockport); he's lived here in Canada for like 35 years and stills sounds like he just arrived from Merseyside. My relatives are from London and Sheffield...

For me, Feather is my only blade, I have another 50 on order right now. I am going to have to try some of those 7 o' clock blades now.

I have used a few brands of blades (mostly for my head shaving adventures), here are some of the ones I've gotten excellent results from YMMV:
- Feather Hi-stainless Platinum
- Lord Platinum
- Merkur
- Derby (cheap but good)

I've got some Wilkinson's that I keep meaning to try but haven't gotten around to it.
Ultimately, it's a completely personal choice. We can give you brands all day long but eventually the trick is to grab a sampler, get a few shaves in, and if you have horrible OCD (like I do) keep a shave journal so you can keep track.

(WOW shave journal...I think I just outed myself as a complete geek...oh well!)

Best of Luck!

I love the red Israeli Personnas

I've been using the 7 O' Clocks myself. They are good...No complaints...and they hold up well....

Actually, this subject is becoming depressing. It seems to me that it's getting to the point that a blade's quality is inversely proportional to its availability. So, my stash consists primarily of UK made Wilkinsons, Swedes and Iridium Supers. They'll see me out, and if anyone wants a mention in my will, feel free to PM me. I'm planning on a few more decades yet, mind.

My current suggestions are:

Feather: very sharp of course; can cause irritation; deteriorate in a nasty, unpredictable way if you push them too far. Everyone ought to try these because a Feather in good fettle (shave #2 usually in my experience) is a magnificent blade.

Gillette 7 o'clock yellow: sharp and fairly smooth; very reliable. Ultimately, my preference was for the Iridiums, but these are the closest equivalent I know of.

Gillette Bleue: sometimes mistaken for Swedes, which they ain't. They shave quite sweetly though with a smooth feel, and are relatively long lasting.

Red Personna: smooth; consistent; economical; good for three shaves which is fair enough given the typical price.

A big +1 to all the nice comments about Connaught: Paul is one of the good guys and understands what customer service means. And finally - yes I'm well aware that a lot of you know what's coming and I can hear the groans - when you find a blade which works really well for you: buy a lot of them.