Bottom Tier of Modern DE Blades

Yes, you read that correctly.

After reading thousands of threads extolling the virtues of XYZ blades, it's about time (it's been years) we get to gripe about lousy edges. No, not merely mediocre and middling or just okay.  Downright bottom half of all blades. Blades you'll never use again.

Of course, stipulated that YMMV, opinions and experiences will differ. That's why we're here on this forum.

Not sharp? Not smooth? Don't last long? Inconsistent? Dull? Terrible in my favorite razor?  Prior editions were degraded by changes?

What say you?

Thank you!

I have had terrible experience with Rockwell blades and bottom tier blades from China. In those blades the quality was poor and many of the blades were not sharp enough to shave. In all uses on the first shave, they typically tugged and/or caused a bleeding weeper. I could visually see that the some of the blade edges had imperfections, but chose to see what they felt like (in many razors, including the Henson, which can take nearly all blades). I have a course beard, and maybe those blades are not compatible with that hair type. Some people love those blades, which proves that with every product YMMV. I will never use those blades again.

This topic rolls through about every quarter but it’s still fun to throw shade at Merkur.  Great razors.  Crummy Blades.  So very crummy.  Rockwell?  Great razor.  Crummy blade.  I swear Merkur must make them.  Or perhaps Merkur and Rockwell are buying on the used market?  ?

Anything Derby.


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This topic rolls through about every quarter but it’s still fun to throw shade at Merkur.  Great razors.  Crummy Blades.  So very crummy.  Rockwell?  Great razor.  Crummy blade.  I swear Merkur must make them.  Or perhaps Merkur and Rockwell are buying on the used market?  ?

Lol. I've seen many a thread come up with those two, as well as the derby mentioned by Domenic. Also, there was a recent thread about the new Henson blades - made by RK in China. Apparently, those are just as bad as these other razor manufacturer blades. Finally, I believe a lot bad has been said about Parker blades? Another I've never dared try.

As this list builds, I'll be curious to see where production happens for the lot of them. Obviously, not everyone will agree on what is the best blade... But in general, Israel and St Petersburg seem to be manufacturing locales that spit out some well regarded stuff.

Kai. They just don't work for me at all. I've tried them in multiple razors and in every one it's been tug city.

Thing is, when it comes to a disappointing blade, we're gonna use it once and toss it. Never giving it a chance to perform in another razor or setting (if using an adjustable). We just toss the blade and publish the horror story on the inter webs. Well, I'm advocating for change. I think if you have a subpar or negative experience with a blade, it's your responsibility to work your way, somehow, thru the rest of that tuck. Different razor. Different setting on the adjustable razor that you just used. Something. Change it up. Don't just declare a whole brand "junk" because you got razor burn. Very recently I've been trying Treet carbon (black beauty) blades and haven't been getting very good results. Halfway thru a tuck and I'm wanting to toss these things into the Pacific Ocean. But there's the off chance I'll load one into my Rockwell T2 and set it on 5, then come up with the smoothest shave this side of a greek barber shop. Who knows? I can certainly state that I don't ever want to shave with one in my Lupo 95, but what about my DE89? What about my Sledgehammer? Who knows? Give some of these blades a chance.

Parker injector blades-yuck.

And the corresponding razor with the dial on it. I tried twice, highest and lowest settings, but couldn't get it to shave.

I left the whole thing (razor, blades, box-everything) behind at the bathroom of the hotel I was staying at.

Apologies to Hairy Callahan

(I know, I know........injector blades are not DE blades but hey, give me a break!)

Thing is, when it comes to a disappointing blade, we're gonna use it once and toss it. Never giving it a chance to perform in another razor or setting (if using an adjustable). We just toss the blade and publish the horror story on the inter webs. Well, I'm advocating for change. I think if you have a subpar or negative experience with a blade, it's your responsibility to work your way, somehow, thru the rest of that tuck. Different razor. Different setting on the adjustable razor that you just used. Something. Change it up. Don't just declare a whole brand "junk" because you got razor burn. Very recently I've been trying Treet carbon (black beauty) blades and haven't been getting very good results. Halfway thru a tuck and I'm wanting to toss these things into the Pacific Ocean. But there's the off chance I'll load one into my Rockwell T2 and set it on 5, then come up with the smoothest shave this side of a greek barber shop. Who knows? I can certainly state that I don't ever want to shave with one in my Lupo 95, but what about my DE89? What about my Sledgehammer? Who knows? Give some of these blades a chance.

No. Disagree.  Life is too short for bad shaves. I know what works for me in what  razor and I’m going to stick to it. I don’t owe any brand anything and certainly not my blood or even an unsatisfactory shave.

Bolzano.