Thread: Sharpest DEs

Can someone tell me how de blades are tested for sharpness?
And please rate them.
Thanks.....

There are many DE blades one can purchase. As many as there are, there are as many opinions on which is best/sharpest/smoothest... I suggest you look for an assorted package and start trying them.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

There are many DE blades one can purchase. As many as there are, there are as many opinions on which is best/sharpest/smoothest... I suggest you look for an assorted package and start trying them.

Absolutely agree. This is how I started. The ones I found sharpest were Feather blades.

I know of no rating for DE blades. Even if there was one the blades perform quite differently depending on the razor let alone your technique in using them.

I have no doubt that Feathers are the sharpest. However sharpest does not mean it's the best for everyone. Every time I've tried them, I nicked myself (my straight shaves are mostly nick free), and my skin was not merely irritated but roasted. As to your question of how they're tested for sharpness...I know of no scientific test. The only test I know of is the shave test. As far as rating blades, that is a very subjective and your preference for a given blade will differ from mine. Happy shaves.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

I have no doubt that Feathers are the sharpest. However sharpest does not mean it's the best for everyone. Every time I've tried them, I nicked myself (my straight shaves are mostly nick free), and my skin was not merely irritated but roasted. As to your question of how they're tested for sharpness...I know of no scientific test. The only test I know of is the shave test. As far as rating blades, that is a very subjective and your preference for a given blade will differ from mine. Happy shaves.

Most of the comments throughout the forum are very general....."try them and find the one that works for you"......

How has the Feather blade been tested to claim it's the sharpest????? Is it only an individual preference?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I know of no rating for DE blades. Even if there was one the blades perform quite differently depending on the razor let alone your technique in using them.

I like your statement about different razors. the "modern" blades are much different with a vintage razor than the ones being made "at the time."

There isn't an official rating system, but feathers are considered the sharpest ( possibly along with Kai). Some other blades considered sharp are Polsilver Super Irridium, and yellow, blue, and black pack Gillettes. I think that Rapira and Astra Stainless ( platinum a nice enough blades but not as sharp) are also sharp blades, but that isn't as commonly agreed on as the polsilvers and gillettes.

As others have said, sharpest isn't always best. most guys are fine with most blades, but if you have sensitive skin and or an unusually tough beard, then you will find blade choice a lot more important.