Hi, has anyone used the Astra Superior Platinum DE blades? I have a new package of this blades and haven't used them since I'm very fond of Derby blades. Any comments?
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Hi, has anyone used the Astra Superior Platinum DE blades? I have a new package of this blades and haven't used them since I'm very fond of Derby blades. Any comments?
I received a fiver of the Astra's with a new DE I purchased. When comparing them to the Israeli blues and especially Feather's I find the Astra's lacking. That is just my experience and other folks may swear by them. Everything associated with wetshaving is subjective of course.
I like 'em. You'll find them fairly sharper than Derby but not as sharp as Feathers. They are also smooth shaving blades. I'd have no problem recommending them.
I have a box of them. They shave well and are sharp without being too "cross". I like them ok.
Ok, they sound convincing... I will try them maybe next week.
I really Love astra blades, They glide and cut nicely. Last about 10 shaves for me. Really love them you should give them a try
HoracioAR,
I have tried a couple of blade types from Astra; the Superior Platinum shave very well for me.
As Bob has said, the choice of a DE blade is intensely personal; for me the worst shaving DE blade I have ever used was the Treet Blue Special - however, other shavers think they are the best thing since sliced bread :)
Please give them a whirl and see if you like them :)
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
Hey HoracioAR,
I would also like to echo what others have said. DE blades are more of a personal preference than one being better than the other. I, for one, find Derby blades to be way too mild whilst Feathers are too harsh!
I find Astras to be a perfect fit for me, sharp but most importantly quite smooth... The other thing is that I can get up to 4-5 shaves out an Astra blade whilst I could only manage about 2 with a feather before it got 'blunt'.
Bottomline is that you have to give them a go and form your own opinion on the Astras. Please let me know how it went (I don't think you'll be disappointed)
Regards,
Ash
I love them, I don't often use any other blade.
I had some "payed forward" to me when I started dabbling in the DE realm & they work fine for me...but again I'm a arm-chair quarterback when it comes to DE's.
HoracioAR
They are the only blade I have used in my Gillette Fat Boy and with the razor set on 6 the shaves have been smooth and close. I do not know how they would perform in a DE that is not adjustable. I had the thought, rightly or wrongly, that with an adjustable DE the make of blade does not matter as much because you can dial in how much or little aggressiveness the blade will give you. For me going higher than 6 makes then way too aggressive.
Bob
Astra + Edwin Jagger DE89 = :)
The Astra Stainless (Blue Box) are my first choice for a regular DE, I like them better than the Platinum (Green Box)
+1 to the other comments about this being something that you have to decide, and that is part of the fun.
BTW Feather in a Merkur Slant Bar and tighten your chin strap Baby....
Astras are my blades of choice, I use the S/P's in the R41 and the Weber, and the Stainless in my 34c HD..... :)
Feathers, Treets then Astra's in my book...Makes you wonder what I'm reading doesn't it?! :) I have a bulk pack of Astra Platinum in the cupboard. For the availability and price more than anything else.
Mick
Ive had great luck with them. They are just a notch below Feather when it comes to sharpness and imo they are a lot smoother.
The blue pack are one of my personal favorite blades. The green are pretty good, too, I just don't love them as much as the blue.
So far the Astra Platinum's are my favorite blade, I bought 100 of them for cheap on Amazon so I have a pretty good supply for a while ;).
I also like Feathers and the Gillette 7 0 clocks. So far the only blade that hasn't agreed with me at all has been the Merkurs... I was very surprised at that because many people swear by them. As the others have said though, everybody's face is different! :D
I'm using vintage Gillette adjustable razors... Love em to bits!
That's funny, I thought most people swear AT them lol....Quote:
Originally Posted by 650Stew
I will have to try this. I just got a Merkur Sledgehammer but I have only used the Astra Plats because they are my favorite. I think I still have a few Feathers laying around......
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJC
I'm still waiting for someone to stand up and say they are a Merkur fan...Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan82
Lol, I know I was swearing at mine! I cut myself more times with the Merkur than I did with my straights when I started out... It was like some kind of horror movie! :medvl:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan82
I call them the camp saw of DE blades....Quote:
Originally Posted by 650Stew
I have only used 2 merkur blades that came as a sample when I bought the 34c, and again with the Futur. Not a fan of them, also looking forward for someone to stand up for them...
Today was my first shave with an Astra blade, I was delayed because I was using straights and also I did not wanted to have 2 DE blades opened, so I first had to "finish" the Merkur I was previously talking about. I must say that I'm am impressed with the quality of the blade, smooth and sharp at a time. My favorites are the Derby blades, but this ones had me confused. I guess I'll have to shave with them a few (lot) more times in order to make up my mind.
i find Astras better than Derbys, but YMMV! i also don't use the Astras at all, now, as i have found my preferred blade, but if i had to, i would choose the Astras. Good luck.
I wasn't sold on the Astra. I am kind of a Feather and Personna Red whore though :).
I just used 1 tonight. I tried to smooth out the edge on the W.Greaves that I just restored. I screwed it up. So I tossed an Astra Superior Platinum into the 1956 Gillette that I got from ZeroCool, what a nice shave.
Could not have said it better myself.Quote:
Originally Posted by rcavazos1922
Astra Platinum's are my favorite blade also. Smooth and forgiving, sharp enough to do the job. Cheap and easy to find. Lasts awhile before they need to be replaced.
Yes, YMMV applies more to DE blades than any other aspect of our hobby. I'll agree with most of the above. BUT, Astra Super Plats are the one blade that IMHO, breaks that rule. I don't personally know anyone who hasn't tried them and loved them. I've gotten about a dozen local people into wet shaving and all of them love the ASPs. In the end, try 'em and let us know how you like 'em.
John
Astras are pretty good in my limited experience working on some feathers right now so I cant really compare them to anything
This is exactly what most of the reviews say on them, (I ordered some online to try & haven't recieved them yet). Thanks, as I was wondering myself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan82
I like the Astra blades the Feathers were a little much but some people love them. For the money you can't beat them a 100 pack is cheap on Amazon. I have only tried the green packs, and not the blue. I may have to give them a shot too. let us know what you think.
I'm new to DE shaving as well. So far I'm liking my Astra blades the best. I've only tried a few so far, but between Astra, Shark, and Laser I favor Astra.
Astra SPs are just plain awesomeness. They are inexpensive and cut very well. The coating also feels very good to my skin. I remember the first time I tried them in my Edwin Jagger de89. I couldn't believe how smooth a shave I got. They are very forgiving as well.
I never use any other blade, expect a feather here and there. But I have about 90 Astra SPs in stock, and once I am done with the few Feathers I've got left, I won't buy again. We'll see what I decide when my 100 pack is all gone, I may go for the Feather which I love as well, and find extremely smooth. But the tiny difference in performance doesn't justify the very big difference in price. The Astra is way above average and gets the job done much better than well for a price next to nothing.
Nothing wrong with Astra SP. great performer for the price.