Went back to DE safety razor after 30 years. Blades?

[Oyeve]

So, after using cartridge shaver for 30 years I decided to go back to the old double-edge safety razors. Having reused my old shaver I am wondering on what blades to get. I see they are pretty cheap but reviews are so scattered. I want sharp smooth shaves like I got 30 years ago. I dont care on eblade longevity but am more concerned about sharpness. Opine please.

 

[zokudu]

Will probably depends on the razor itself.

My 3 favorites are:
http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Stainl...dp/B002CE3518/
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-...dp/B0059QF5RS/
http://www.amazon.com/Astra-Platinum...dp/B001QY8QXM/

They work well in my Edwin Jagger DE89 but I bought a vintage Gillette Superspeed and they all suck in that razor so YMMV.

 

[sourceninja]

I'm a big fan of Feather blades and Blue Personna (Crystal). You can buy them pretty much anywhere online.

My advice, buy a mixed blade pack and try a bunch of different blades. Everyone likes something different. For example, I hate Astra blades, I feel like they drag on my face.

 

[NoCreativity]

I'm a big fan of Feather blades and Blue Personna (Crystal). You can buy them pretty much anywhere online.

My advice, buy a mixed blade pack and try a bunch of different blades. Everyone likes something different. For example, I hate Astra blades, I feel like they drag on my face.

This. I like Dorco blades. Feather blades felt like I was shaving with razor wire.

I got this pack from west coast shaving. Make sure to keep notes on the blades you try. I kept notes on closeness, comfort, consistency (some blades were very inconsistent), nicks & cuts, etc.

 

[jlee]

I'm using Astra blades. At my current rate of replacement, the 100pk I paid $9 for will last me another six years or so. I have heard good things about Feather and actually have some, but haven't tried them yet.

 

[disappoint]

Personna or Feather. The rest were all too dull and would end up pulling rather than cutting. I have thick facial hair. If you're a woman...err I mean if you have thin facial hair that's easily cut then other brands might be ok.

 

[alkemyst]

I'd first get the basics down as premium blades are usually much sharper than typical off the shelf and aren't so kind to bad shaving techniques.

I tried all these and went back to a cartridge system (Powered Fusion).

Derby/WIlkersons (which you can usually find locally)

Astra Plats

Feathers

Merkurs

Super Shark

probably some others that I looked up.

Different handles and brushes and soaps.

Just too much work, took too much attention, etc.

With my Powered Fusion I don't need a mirror and I can shave pretty sloppy and not nick myself ever plus I get a really close shave.

Over the past couple months I have been growing a beard and just shave my upper cheeks and my neck a little. I don't even need shaving cream/gel.

 

[shortylickens]

I got that sampler pack from Amazon and i like almost all the blades.

 

[crownjules]

I use Wilkinson Swords. Not as razor sharp as the Feathers but not as bad as Dorcos and Gillettes.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I like Merkur. I had no idea Feathers were so much cheaper, though (50%). No wonder I see them recommended so often (not like the Merkurs break the bank or anything). I'll have to check them out.

I'll buy the shitty blades from Walgreens in a pinch, they just aren't as sharp nor last quite as long.

 

[alkemyst]

I like Merkur. I had no idea Feathers were so much cheaper, though (50%). No wonder I see them recommended so often (not like the Merkurs break the bank or anything). I'll have to check them out.

I'll buy the shitty blades from Walgreens in a pinch, they just aren't as sharp nor last quite as long.

The blades are all cheap really esp that you are usually buying them 100 at a time.

They do differ though so I would recommend trying a few as someone top rated blade may be a blade that doesn't even make you list.

I didn't realize how different they really all were since they all look so much alike, but when you have them in your hand or against your face, you can objectively tell a difference.

I would get razor burn time to time, even with non-powered two blade cartridges. The 4 and 5 blade cartridges especially the powered heads make a HUGE difference for me.

 

[Gooberlx2]

They do differ though so I would recommend trying a few as someone top rated blade may be a blade that doesn't even make you list.

No doubt. I'll try a pack before committing to 100 blades, that's for sure. I have fairly thick facial hair, so if the Feathers can hold their edge longer, without tearing my face up, they look like a sweet deal.

 

[alkemyst]

This. I like Dorco blades. Feather blades felt like I was shaving with razor wire.

I got this pack from west coast shaving. Make sure to keep notes on the blades you try. I kept notes on closeness, comfort, consistency (some blades were very inconsistent), nicks & cuts, etc.

I missed this post and didn't even think they'd offer a variety pack...they didn't have something like this when I tried DE's...

The funny thing is I should have had some of these blades left. I just found out during my burglary a few years ago, they must have stolen my razor blades and stuff

I was going to get it out and try a quick shave.

 

[Oyeve]

I may go with a sample set and check. My hair is really tough and thick plus I have sensitive skin so a sample pack should ween out the bad ones fro the good one. Thanks guys.

 

[mmntech]

Seconding that motion on getting a sample pack. There's really no one blade to rule them all. You have to try a few different ones to see which works best for you.

 

[JohnnyGage]

I use Astra blades and they are great.

Westcoastshaving.com

I also use polar ice after shave. It's awesome

 

[disappoint]

I may go with a sample set and check. My hair is really tough and thick plus I have sensitive skin so a sample pack should ween out the bad ones fro the good one. Thanks guys.

Oh man, good luck. That's a really bad combination. Thick hair and sensitive skin. The thick hair calls for a sharp blade, but the sharp blade will irritate your skin. Middle of the road sharpness razor or electric shaver would be my recommendation. If you're heart is set on DE then a sampler pack of blades will be necessary to find the right one. Don't forget the cream/soap will play a role too.

 

[shortylickens]

I may go with a sample set and check. My hair is really tough and thick plus I have sensitive skin so a sample pack should ween out the bad ones fro the good one. Thanks guys.

If that's the case you need oil and good cream. Blades are not your main concern.

 

[rednas]

After the blades for my current razor run out I think I am going to give one of these old style razors a whirl.

 

[nickbits]

My sample pack testing resulted in "anything but Gillette". I ended up buying derby extra.

 

[SunburstLP]

I'd pick up a couple Personna Lab Blues or Med Preps. They're pretty much the same blade. I quite like them. I use RPs, med preps, Astra SPs and Feathers primarily.

I saw Wilkinson's mentioned above, I like those as well. Shout out to Super Max Plats as well. I ran out, but since I have enough blades to last me a few years, I refuse to order more. That actually applies to almost everything in my den, lol. Although, I'm always on the lookout for new razors.

 

[QueBert]

Get a good pre shave gel or cream, I'll take a regular blade with a good pre shave over a top blade without anything on my face. YMMV I guess, but the pre shave is probably the most important part of me getting a good shave. I use Proaso pre shave cream or Art Of Shaving pre shave gel. I like the AOS stuff more, but it cost almost twice as much and the bottles about half the size. Proaso's the best for the price imho.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Feather!!

Ultimately it's gonna depend on your hair and skin though.

 

[Fenixgoon]

a lot of it will be preference. that being said, feather has given me the best shave, and that would be my recommendation.

 

[shortylickens]

After the blades for my current razor run out I think I am going to give one of these old style razors a whirl.

they're a good bargain compared gillettes mach 3.

10 cents for a 2 sided blade, so thats 5 cents a shave.

As apposed to 2 bucks and however many shaves you can squeeze out of the thing.