RayClem's Blade Evaluations

Picked up a Wahl and Philips ear,nose trimmer a month back…well they both lasted about 2 weeks,them CCS blades are dull and now unusable…didn’t quite last as long as my used 2x a week 17 year old Wahl peanut made in the USA,with German steel blades that I oil up in the winter when I grow a moostash and goaty,sideburn coiffure,and still functions as the day I purchased.

After reviewing your ratings I was surprised to see your Polsilver rating so low. I have a two tucks of 2016 Pols and they have been fantastic. They were so good that I picked up an entire sleeve of Wizamets (2022). Unfortunately, that have been very middling for me. According to folks on B&B something changed with Wizamets in June 2020 and they haven't been the same since.

Hmm, maybe I need to do a face to face showdown. The 2022 Wizamets for me have been shaving at the $8/100 level, not a premium blade at all. I don't foresee picking up anymore Pols, as they are $1+ per blade, too premium for this face!

After reviewing your ratings I was surprised to see your Polsilver rating so low.  I have a two tucks of 2016 Pols and they have been fantastic.  They were so good that I picked up an entire sleeve of Wizamets (2022).  Unfortunately, that have been very middling for me.  According to folks on B&B something changed with Wizamets in June 2020 and they haven't  been the same since. 

Hmm, maybe I need to do a face to face showdown.  The 2022 Wizamets for me have been shaving at the $8/100 level, not a premium blade at all.  I don't foresee picking up anymore Pols, as they are $1+ per blade, too premium for this face!

The Polsilvers I had were purchased om around 2017, but I do not know when they were manufactured. Every time I have tried to use them, I have found them to be sharper than Astra SP, but not as sharp as Gillette Silver Blue and Gillette Platinum. They are similar in sharpness to 7 O'Clock SharpEdge yellows, but the SharpEdge blades are much smoother.  

The Wizamets I tested were purchased in the fall of 2023. I found them to be significantly sharper and smoother than the older Polsilver blades. That did surprise me as I expected them to be more similar. I am not a fan of Polsilver for my beard and skin, but I liked the Wizamets enough to add more blades to my collection.  

BTW: The Refined Shave website is no longer online, but the testing they did on Polsilver blades several years ago was similar to my results.

Many people love Polsilver blades. I am not one of them, but if they work for you, that is great.

My Ebay seller now selling Filosos in lots of 5. I have 5 on the way.

I just took delivery of two boxes of Gillette London Bridge for the Indonesian Market. It seems the orange box made in China ones are in the 9+ range, but the ones I got are made in India. If I feel they are up to snuff, I'll send some over. If they are middling like Wilkinson Sword, well, I'll save everyone some time.

The Indian made ones used to be in a blue box for the MIddle East market, but now there are Orange Box Indian made ones for Indonesian market. It was a bait and switch! Will the story have a happy ending or will the $13 for 2 boxes shipped go to waste?

I just took delivery of two boxes of Gillette London Bridge for the Indonesian Market.  It seems the orange box made in China ones are in the 9+ range, but the ones I got are made in India.  If I feel they are up to snuff, I'll send some over.  If they are middling like Wilkinson Sword, well, I'll save everyone some time.

The Indian made ones used to be in a blue box for the Middle East market, but now there are Orange Box Indian made ones for Indonesian market.  It was a bait and switch!  Will the story have a happy ending or will the $13 for 2 boxes shipped go to waste?

It seems that all the London Bridge blades advertised in the States are the ones in the orange box, at least that is how they are advertised.. Vendors state they are made in China, do the ones made in India might be new. 

I suspect that the exit from the PPI facility had Gillette scrambling  to figure out where to make various blades to optimize production and also distribution costs.

I have never tried the London Bridge blades. I will be happy to evaluate them should you decide they are worthy of evaluation. If they are like the Super Thins for the Thailand market, don't bother.

The orange box made in China ones were from the Shanghai plant and were widely reported to be very excellent. The made in India ones are from Vertice factory (not Gillette factory). Such blades used to be in a blue box for the Middle East market and there is less information on them. Now the Vertice blades are in an orange box. Perhaps the China London Bridges are another gone for good blade.

I'll let you know how the shave goes tomorrow. I shaved with a Bic today, so a large drop off will be quite clear. If it is smooth sailing then that would be great!

TRC has Filoso blades. A 5 pk. for $1.79. 

The non-Gillette factory Gillette brand made in India London Bridge blades are at best middling so I will not send them on to you. Would yo be interested in Made in USA Personna Platinum Chromes of unknown vintage?

The non-Gillette factory Gillette brand made in India London Bridge blades are at best middling so I will not send them on to you.  Would yo be interested in Made in USA Personna Platinum Chromes of unknown vintage?

It is too bad that the London Bridge blades from India are lacking.  I guess Gillette outsourced their production as they were trying to bring in PPI blades into their India facility.

I know that the SuperMax company in India has gone out of business. That means there will be a factory, production equipment, and trained workers available for someone else to purchase or expand.

Save your postage. I have far more blades than I will ever use. Since the Personnas are of unknown vintage, the evaluation would not be helpful to others.