Hiya,
Just wanted to mention something that may not be known to some DE users. That would be the use of certain old blades, and how effective they can be. Been a while now since I last loaded my go to Iridium blade in any razor....been using vintage ones instead. No, I'm not talking about any non stainless blade made early on, which includes the gruesome 'Blue Blade'. These old blades I mean are 30-40 years old.
So there's probably 6-8 brands and types like super stainless and platinum plus and plus platinum even....heh. Both Schick and Gillette made some choice blades in the 70s-80, and if properly stored can be as sharp and smooth as when new. Then you got Personna, with their legendary Tungsten74 blade (really a nice one). Plus, you can't forget about the UK Wilkinson blade either. Some of those are amazing.......depends on the 'vintage' mostly.
I can pick up most blades I like for maybe 50 cents each or less. Paying a buck or more per blade can be avoided if you're patient, and it helps if you have a few in reserve so no pressure. Hell, some blades (Light Brigade) will even sell for $2-4 a piece, which is pretty nuts, considering a top currently made blade is less than 50 cents.
Well, there's a reason people are buying those old blades, and it ain't nostalgia. It's fun shaving with something of that age....sure, but it's the performance that hooks the buyers in. Heh, like me for example. Some no longer produced blades shave me as good as my favorite Iridium, and 1-2 blades even work better. It's worth trying a few if you run across some.....never know.
There now, I've done my best to enab..........help out a few of you guys,
Martin