ASTRA SP

I didn't go through every 'thread', but I felt Astra SP were under represented here. So, I thought I'd help.

Blades I've used:
Gillette 7 O'Clock
Derby
Personna SS Comfort Coated
*Astra Super Platinum
*Best Current Blade


I've mentioned my 'Scandinavian, Scots-Irish' heritage before. Which means, I have a 'biological imperative' to be frugal (a.k.a., cheap)

I like to get multiple shaves from a single blade. And, I don't like to pay an arm and leg for razor blades. 

Astra SP gets good reviews on the InterWeb. They are my current favorite. 

With my skin, face contours and beard type, I'm a 3-Pass shaver. WTG/XTG/ATG. I get DFS/CCS/BBS results with the Astra SP and my RR GC 84-P and Lupo .95. After 5 uses, the blade goes in the blade bank regardless. 

I have gotten a 'dud', or two from a 100ct pack, but only rarely. Frankly, I've gotten 'duds' from every brand I've listed.

Well, there it is. My modest 'testimonial.

b/r

RB

You don’t have to read every post, you could just search “Astra”. There is a fair amount of discussion on the blade.

Very nice. Have you tried Wizamets? Worth a try, those have worked well for me.

Astra SP blades are one of the biggest sellers on Amazon and also on many web sites. They work quite well for many shavers. They may work quite well for you today, but as you age, your beard is likely to become tougher and you skin is likely to become even more sensitive, especially with your Scandinavian/Scots-Irish heritage. Thus, a few decades from now, the blades might not be sharp enough nor smooth enough for your face. Enjoy them while you can. When the time comes, there are sharper blades available.

RayClem...I appreciate what you're saying. And yes, my beard and my face has changed over the years. At 69 years old, with one stroke under my belt, I don't know how much longer I have left? But, I try to KISS. We'll see how it goes. I've got about 160 blades left.

Oh. And thank you for correcting my 'Scots-Irish' spelling.

b/r

RB

RayClem...I appreciate what you're saying. And yes, my beard and my face has changed over the years. At 69 years old, with one stroke under my belt, I don't know how much longer I have left? But, I try to KISS. We'll see how it goes. I've got about 160 blades left.

Oh. And thank you for correcting my 'Scots-Irish' spelling.

b/r

RB

If you have already made it to 69 and can still use Astra SP, that is wonderful. I am a few years older than that now, but even at 69, they were too dull for my beard and to rough for my skin. I hope you will live long enough to use every one of your 160 remaining blades.

RayClem...thank you, sir. I appreciate it. I thought my beard was very stiff, pure white. Apparently, its not that tough? I plan to outlive my razors and blades. LOL! But, you know what they say about 'plans'.

b/r

RB

RayClem...I appreciate what you're saying. And yes, my beard and my face has changed over the years. At 69 years old, with one stroke under my belt, I don't know how much longer I have left? But, I try to KISS. We'll see how it goes. I've got about 160 blades left.

Oh. And thank you for correcting my 'Scots-Irish' spelling.

b/r

RB

If you have already made it to 69 and can still use Astra SP, that is wonderful. I am a few years older than that now, but even at 69, they were too dull for my beard and to rough for my skin. I hope you will live long enough to use every one of your 160 remaining blades.

I'm 78 and the Astra SP is my primary blade.  I use blades four times then discard.

Oregon...the one 'constant' throughout DE shaving and I guess shaving in general is, there are no absolutes. As we all say, every beard and face are different. What works for some, doesn't work for all.

Let's not forget, besides the blades, the razor factors into the equation, too. I'm very pleased with the 'system' I've got right now. 

I swap back and forth between my RR GC 84 SB and RR Lupo .95 SB. I've been doing that since the beginning of the year. Both are CNC machined from 316L stainless steel. And, are extremely well-made. Between the precision of the razor, a sharp blade, along with good 'prep', I continually get DFS/CCS/BBS.

For my face and beard combo it seems to work. I just proved it again with a boringly excellent shave this morning (4th shave with Astra SP).

b/r

RB