A Different DE Blade Thread

Let's do something a little different for a blades thread. More depth, more specific.

Plenty of "favorite blades" threads scattered here and elsewhere.  Thousands of "I like..." listings.  Interesting and fun but overwhelming  in numbers of postings for others seeking particular types of blades.  Comparison charts?  Dated and incomplete.

All  can agree that useable DE blades have a range of cutting strengths (using a variety of descriptors), a better defined, narrower and more useful criteria. So, let's categorize our favorites - one blade brand/type per category - by our opinion of their edginess (to best match up with complimentary razors):

MILD
MODERATE
AGGRESSIVE

Please confine your choices to readily available, still-in-production blades, and only one brand/type (your favorite) per category. And, yes, stipulated on all posts that E(EVERONE'S)MMV.

Lastly, bonus points. Match your favorite razor to each of one, two or all three of your blade choices.  Price is not a factor here; your actual shaving favorite combinations are the crux.

Example: MILD - Lord Super Stainless
Paired with Muhle R41 ( My favorite aggressive razor).

With your generous contributions, we can make this a reference quality resource for many shavers. We novices will be especially grateful.

Thank You!

I am not sure that what you have suggested/requested is even possible. DE razor blades are one of the most YMMV aspects of wet shaving. Not only does it depend upon the type of beard (Coarse, medium, fine) and the type of skin (tough, normal, sensitive), but also upon the specific razor in which the blade is being used. It also depends upon the skill of the shaver and the quality of the lather being used for the shave. Thus, you cannot just look at the blades.

As an example of the YMMV aspects of the razor blade, I have seen many tables that list Astra Superior Platinum (green) blades as being among the sharper blades. Having tried Astra SP blades from several sources, I find them to be quite dull for my beard. Thus, I would list them as mild. According to a number of sources, these blades are the most popular purchase, so they work well for many people who presumably do not have a beard like mine.

The best information I have found on DE razor blades comes from the Refined Shave web site. Several years ago, the author tested about 50 different blades using a blade sharpness tester and also used the blades for two consecutive face and head shaves with qualitative comments. While some people have questioned his methodology, I have found that the results do tend to mirror my own experience. I have a tough, old-man, white beard and very sensitive skin due to Rosacea. Unfortunately, there are many blades he did not test and no new results have been added in recent years.

If what TheBurgh is suggesting is possible, it would be an amazing table. For those of us who are new to Wet Shaving, that very thing is what can be overwhelming. Lots of nice razors, from cheap to very expensive.... then the dozens of razor blades available to match to each razor one might buy. So those with years of experience could note their final choices. The person could also mention their type of beard and skin concerns.

So, I think it's a brilliant idea if it could be done... maybe an excel spread sheet or an equivalent. I have no idea how that would work in this format. But I'll bet someone does.

All of what RayClem wrote is true. Thank you for your valuable observations There are an overwhelming number of individual variables to accomplish a statistically valid study.  That's not the goal. This is intended to be a starting point for beginners (and others who have fun in experimenting with matching razors to blades).

In your case, you began a response:"I have seen many tables that list Astra Superior Platinum (green) blades as being among the sharper blades. Having tried Astra SP blades from several sources, I find them to be quite dull for my beard. Thus, I would list them as mild.".   MILD - ASP (green) with ______ razor.  No, not for all, but a valuable experience nonetheless.

Given the responses this far, this thread will suffer a quick death.  Nothing ventured...

That is why I mentioned the Refined Shave web site. Once I figured out that my experience with several blades listed at the lower end of the sharpness scale (Derby Extra, Shark Super Chrome, Astra SP, Merkur) was quite poor, I began testing blades that were significantly higher in sharpness. I love blades like BIC Chrome Platinum, Permasharp Super, Gillette Nacet, and 7 O'Clock Super Platinum (black) as they are super sharp. However, if I tried putting these blades in an aggressive Muhle R41 razor, the result would be painful.

My suggestion to new wet shavers is to purchase a sampler pack containing a dozen tucks of blades ranging from less sharp all the way up to the very sharpest with various blades in the middle as well. Try each of the blades in every razor you own. That way you will learn what works best for you in your razors. If I am using my R41, I will use a mid-sharp blade like the 7 O'Clock Sharpedge (yellow). If I am using a very mild razor like my Van der Hagen TTO, I use a super sharp blade like BIC or Nacet; a Sharpedge won't be nearly sharp enough in that razor for my coarse beard. However, for people who have beards of normal toughness and skin of normal sensitivity, mid-range blades like Sharpedge, Gillette Platinum, Gillette Silver Blue, Gillette Branded Wilkinson Sword, etc. usually work quite well. For those will finer beards, even the less sharp blades may work.

There is a reason that many starter razor kits come with blades like Derby Extra, Astra SP and Merkur. The manufacturers are anticipating that those who purchase these kits are often lacking in their shaving skills. Thus, by including less sharp blades, they lessen the chances that the new shaver will cut himself and give up altogether.

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How many have read this....?
https://www.refinedshave.com/razor-blade...s-testing/

How many have read this....?
https://www.refinedshave.com/razor-blade...s-testing/

Read it many times.  Find great variation in the subjective ratings to my own.  It’s helpful but misses a few blades I would love to see (Personna Med Preps, etc…)

I’ve offered to send blades to the website owner without response.

Sadly, there is no list I can reference happily other than my mind.

Feather is my favourite blade 

The subject is totally subjective.


Unfortunatelly, the objective info are not shared by makers.
The DE blades are very cheap, being a low technology.
The more or the less, are all the same thing.
Only (little) difference is:
• grinding angle (few)
• coating (most)

I suggest a different way of thinking about DE blades.

• Mild - with better coatings togheter (platinum, titanium, silver, ceramics, ...)
  If I need a daily shave, I need a well lubrificated edge with more catings.
  
• Moderate - with just one coating (normally platinum)
  If I need to shave few times a month, I need just a little of lubrification.
  
• Aggressive - with no coating (exept PTFE, originally on metal sheet)
  If I need to cut a big beard, I need pure SS edge to grab the hair.
  

BTW, hard lubrificants of the edge will never fix a bad lather or (even worse) a bad technique.
As always ... "Technique trumps tools".