BBS-1 (LASSC) Blade Exploration

Hello everyone,

I've been lucky enough that years ago I acquired a BBS-1 head in a trade and I have used it more than any other razor in my 7 years wet shaving. If I could su up what makes this so suitable for me is that is has just about as much efficiency as I could ask for while maintaining a high amount of comfort and smoothness to my skin. I guess i have a medium/coarse beard and I can get most of the beard off, even up to a week or more, with 1 against the grain first pass. This razor is almost perfect but it doesn't have quite the same aggressiveness as other razors I've used like an r41 (2011 and 2013) so the BBS-1 is more for comfort but still is efficient enough for my shaves.

Anyways, the last year I have changed up my preferences in blades as I found early on that I didn't like many blades in the BBS-1. I found a brand new Voskhod was what I liked the most and I would say I would rate those now in 2nd or 3rd place. I also used to use Crystal Personna Platinums as a preferred second blade but things have changed. I think I found that I really enjoy the increased sharpness and retained smoothness using the Red Pack Israeli Personna's (Platinum Chrome) as my best blades in the BBS-1.

I recently ran out of my Red Pack Personna and started experimenting with some of the Gillette blades. I know many like Gillette Silver Blues in the various Wolfmans as well as Feathers being popular. I don't care for many Gillette blades as they previously didn't work great in my shaves using them in other razors. I just did an order with IB and stocked up on some blades. I am wanting to do some more serious testing using Gillette Yellow 7 O'Clock SharpEdge and Gillette Nacet blades and I also have a couple vintage blades such as Personna 74 and Gillette "Super Blue" black blades to try out as well.

Is there anyone else that would care to share their findings in variety or what the best blade(s) is for them in the BBS-1?

#1 pick - Israeli Red Pack Personnna (Platinum Chrome)
#2 (most used in my shaves with this razor)- Voskhod (Teflon)
#3 (a handful of impressive feeling shaves) - Gillette Yellow 7 O'Clock SharpEdge

#4 Pol Silver Super Iridiums

I don't think I would ever used Kai's or Crystals anymore in them as the smoothness is not where I need it to be for my skin.

Any suggestions of blades that I haven't made mention of my friends? Thank you and happy holidays my friends

I'm sure it won't be long before the other six people on Earth who have one chime in.

I've tried various blades in mine. Then I read a review by Sharpologist on the BBS-1 that said it was designed with the Feather in mind. Not that it matters that much, any standard blade will fit it, but I tend to go with that and use a Feather on the infrequent occasions I take it out for a spin. 

I'm sure it won't be long before the other six people on Earth who have one chime in.

I am no longer one of the six people who have one as I sold mine quite a few years ago, but I used to use Wizamet Iridium Supers (blue package) in mine as I find them to be excellent blades. 

These are my favorite blades: Feather New Hi-Stainless, PolSilver Super Iridium, Personna Platinum Chrome.

I concur on the Feather being the best option, but I have also found success with the Wizamet/Polsilver Super Iridiums and the Personna Reds.  When using the Feather, my BBS-1 is on par in efficiency with my WR2 1.15 SB, which for me is just about the ideal daily razor.

Super sensative skin and only own duFour DEs including bbs1. Have experimented a lot re blades. Without question Timors corked regularly have worked best.

DanLaw On Friday I gave the Timor a shot in the BBS-1 and corked it once loading it in the razor. I did a very rare 3 pass shave and was able to avoid razor burn. The shave was very ice and other than that, all I can say is I will give it more testing and more details after more shaves. Dan, in regards to corking, I have two questions, you said to cork twice on each side of the blade, correct? And should I cork the blade after the shave as well? Anyways, thanks for the recommendation and will keep you in the loop as to how the next shave goes. I think I'll use the Timor again for the next shave later this week.

I cork prior to first use and in between all subsequent uses. Hope it works for you!

I cork prior to first use and in between all subsequent uses. Hope it works for you!

Which is the worst possible thing you can do to a razor blade aside from a propane torch. It's the blade coatings that impart the smoothness and not the sharpness. That is why Gillette imprints on their wrappers not to wipe the blades after usage also why they use wax and an inner liner to protect the edge. If the blade is rough then you are doing something else wrong with all due respect, e.g., poor prep, technique or using a razor too "aggressive" for your face. Bank on it.