RayClem's Blade Evaluations

I also didn’t care for the PolSilver I tried last month. I’ve been testing out a lot of blades here lately in my .84p and was surprised by the PolSilver after all the positive reviews. They are real and not fakes.

They were fairly sharp for me but not what I’d call smooth. Very bottom tier for smoothness out of about 50 blades I’ve tried. I imagine there is some variation from batch to batch like every other blade. I’ve noticed a large variation with certain blades like Astra SP and very little variation with others like GSB.

I'm really enjoying the Wizamet blade right now. Some say they are the same as PolSilver, some say otherwise. I haven't used a PolSilver in ages, but I do want to compare them side by side for my own amusement and comparison. The .84-P is a great razor, also.

The Rubies are just special for me. They work amazingly well in every razor and some razors that were mediocre really produced some good shaves with the blade change to a Rubie. But I don’t think they are that much better then many other blades, they’re just my favorite.

I’ve ordered a few single blades/tucks here lately from RBC and elsewhere trying to test most blades out and was eyeing the Super Thins but wasn’t sure which version to get. It looks like RBC offers Super Thins from China, Thailand, and Vietnam. I’m assuming the Chinese ones are probably the right ones?

Strangely the Russian Perma-Sharp, & Minora didn’t make my top 20 list but the Nacet is top 3. The couple batches of Perma-Sharps I’ve tried weren’t close to as sharp as Nacet/Rubies and I’d classify them as mid level sharpness at best but they were still great shaving blades.

I’ve only tried 1 Minora blade and it was so rough I haven’t tried another for the last couple years. I still have the same tuck and plan to try them again next week. I find it hard to believe they can be that bad with all the praise so either way I plan on ordering 100 in a new batch and hope they work out.

I think I have more fun testing new blades then I do testing new razors. Both are fun but 9 times out of 10 a blade is good but when testing razors my odds aren’t as high.

I recall reading that some folks claimed the Rubies have an extra step of processing (stropping?) as they were for the local Russian market rather than exporting to "inferior" countries. Maybe that is a factor in their feeling extra special?

Durasharps are worth picking up a 100 from RBC. They have a unique feel. Carbon steel plated with Chromium and PTFE. Old and new school tag team. Really nice in a vintage Gillette.

Send me your address and I will mail you some of the Super Thins I feel are so good (it might take a bit though, just ask Ray). They have a picture of the Japanese Flag on them. I do not know if the other Super Thins are of the same quality. I expect they use Chinese steel rather than Japanese steel.

Also finally, does anyone take issue with the below linked blog post? It is from 2019 and goes into great detail about the regionality of steel affecting razor blades. This company is a supplier of many razors, so I expect they have much knowledge in the field. Your thoughts?

https://globalshave.club/blog/f/everythi...s+%26+Info

I too have Wizaments that didn't knock my socks off.  They are from 2022.  Apparently, June 2020 is the cutoff for magic Wizamet blades.

Sounds about right to me.

Same with PolSilver. Those used to be great but the last batch I got a few years ago was nowhere near as good.

Same thing with the newer Gillette Platinum... used to be great for 4 shaves, now they are good for one shave then they are done.

When you say "newer Gillette Platinum" are you talking about the blades that come in the bold blue packaging and made in China?

https://www.amazon.com/Gillette-Platinum...0B5FSHYP7/

I much preferred these blades over the ones made in Russia, but I have not used enough of them to evaluate the longevity.

Erk, that was a great read, thanks for the link. I also found a vendor that has the Japanese flag Super Thins so I assume they would ship what’s pictured- it’s Connaughts. RBC has 3 different versions but none have the Japanese flag. On Connaughts site it says they are Chinese. The ones on RBC are Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese.

I appreciate the offer to send some my way but I imagine it would cost you a bit if your not from the states? I’ll probably just try to pick up a tuck from Connaughts on my next order.

As to the discussion on Platinums I just used an old Russian Platinum yesterday to compare with a Minora side by side and this time the Minora wasn’t too bad but the Platinum was much better for me. Might just be the batches. The Plat is what I believe “Dark”? The ones that aren’t Swedes.

I recently tried a Russian light-Swede platinum and it was also a great blade. They seem to come in boxes of 50 like Ray posted above and are now made in China. I have a single blade from China I got at RBC but haven’t tried it yet.

Just my .02¢ on comaprisons/similarities between guitars and some things about blades I have seen discussed here:

1. Coatings. I have seen some discussion on blades changing with the wearing off of the coatings used. I have seen RayClem mention some blades may get sharper as the coating wears off. A lot of guitarists believe the sound/tone of guitar strings can change as the coating wears off. No one wants old, dirty strings, but some will change strings before a gig or recording to make sure the strings are "broken in". That meaning they are stretched a bit so they hold better tune, and some believe it takes the edge or bite off the strings when they are new. Some believe they sound harsher or at least the highs do.

2. Production year. I just happened to see this mentioned on Wizamet blades as well as others. And some razors also like the Muhle R41. Owning many guitars, having sold them for close to 17 years, and having many friend enthusiast/collector/players, I have heard the talk/debate over production years. Don't buy this year, buy this one. Specifically Gibson guitars because I own a few and know many collectors. They seem to have had periods of production that collectors and some players prefer to avoid. I do remember one production year as I was selling that was particularly not the best and I wouldn't buy one. A lot of people were bringing in new guitars for basic work that should never have been needed buy a guitar at that price point. Workmanship and finishes were poor and it was well known.

     So, those is just my thoughts on some separate hobby similarities. And yes. Just as you need that razor in copper, stainless, and aluminum, you need that same guitar in blue, red, and black.

I too have Wizaments that didn't knock my socks off.  They are from 2022.  Apparently, June 2020 is the cutoff for magic Wizamet blades.

Sounds about right to me.

Same with PolSilver. Those used to be great but the last batch I got a few years ago was nowhere near as good.

Same thing with the newer Gillette Platinum... used to be great for 4 shaves, now they are good for one shave then they are done.

When you say "newer Gillette Platinum" are you talking about the blades that come in the bold blue packaging and made in China?

https://www.amazon.com/Gillette-Platinum...0B5FSHYP7/

I much preferred these blades over the ones made in Russia, but I have not used enough of them to evaluate the longevity.

No, I'm referring to the ones on the right.

Erk, that was a great read, thanks for the link. I also found a vendor that has the Japanese flag Super Thins so I assume they would ship what’s pictured- it’s Connaughts. RBC has 3 different versions but none have the Japanese flag. On Connaughts site it says they are Chinese. The ones on RBC are Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese.

I appreciate the offer to send some my way but I imagine it would cost you a bit if your not from the states? I’ll probably just try to pick up a tuck from Connaughts on my next order.

As to the discussion on Platinums I just used an old Russian Platinum yesterday to compare with a Minora side by side and this time the Minora wasn’t too bad but the Platinum was much better for me. Might just be the batches. The Plat is what I believe “Dark”? The ones that aren’t Swedes.

I recently tried a Russian light-Swede platinum and it was also a great blade. They seem to come in boxes of 50 like Ray posted above and are now made in China. I have a single blade from China I got at RBC but haven’t tried it yet.

The Super Thins on Connaughts are indeed the ones I am talking about . May as well get 100. While you are at it get 2x50 or 4x50 of the Russian Platinum Swedes (all blue, white lettering). They are now pretty much gone and that is the only place that has a good price and supply.

Erk, that was a great read, thanks for the link. I also found a vendor that has the Japanese flag Super Thins so I assume they would ship what’s pictured- it’s Connaughts. RBC has 3 different versions but none have the Japanese flag. On Connaughts site it says they are Chinese. The ones on RBC are Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese.

I appreciate the offer to send some my way but I imagine it would cost you a bit if your not from the states? I’ll probably just try to pick up a tuck from Connaughts on my next order.

As to the discussion on Platinums I just used an old Russian Platinum yesterday to compare with a Minora side by side and this time the Minora wasn’t too bad but the Platinum was much better for me. Might just be the batches. The Plat is what I believe “Dark”? The ones that aren’t Swedes.

I recently tried a Russian light-Swede platinum and it was also a great blade. They seem to come in boxes of 50 like Ray posted above and are now made in China. I have a single blade from China I got at RBC but haven’t tried it yet.

The Super Thins on Connaughts are indeed the ones I am talking about . May as well get 100. While you are at it get 2x50 or 4x50 of the Russian Platinum Swedes (all blue, white lettering). They are now pretty much gone and that is the only place that has a good price and supply.

There was only 50 left on the Swedes. I’ve actually had my eye on them hoping they’d restock them but the numbers stayed the same for over a week now.

I went ahead and placed an order since I wanted to stock up on some Personna Injector blades and more GEMs before they change to the new branding. And with all the praise on the Super Thins I went ahead and ordered 200 since it was only another $8 for the extra 100. Those types of deals always get me - order more and save more.

When I ordered last time I purchased all they had in stock of a couple blades and the next day they had replenished the numbers and I was able to add more to my cart. I guess it’s good they might have extra stock but kinda sucks when you want to place an order and don’t know if they’ll add more or not.

Just my .02¢ on comaprisons/similarities between guitars and some things about blades I have seen discussed here:

1. Coatings. I have seen some discussion on blades changing with the wearing off of the coatings used. I have seen RayClem mention some blades may get sharper as the coating wears off. A lot of guitarists believe the sound/tone of guitar strings can change as the coating wears off. No one wants old, dirty strings, but some will change strings before a gig or recording to make sure the strings are "broken in". That meaning they are stretched a bit so they hold better tune, and some believe it takes the edge or bite off the strings when they are new. Some believe they sound harsher or at least the highs do.

2. Production year. I just happened to see this mentioned on Wizamet blades as well as others. And some razors also like the Muhle R41. Owning many guitars, having sold them for close to 17 years, and having many friend enthusiast/collector/players, I have heard the talk/debate over production years. Don't buy this year, buy this one. Specifically Gibson guitars because I own a few and know many collectors. They seem to have had periods of production that collectors and some players prefer to avoid. I do remember one production year as I was selling that was particularly not the best and I wouldn't buy one. A lot of people were bringing in new guitars for basic work that should never have been needed buy a guitar at that price point. Workmanship and finishes were poor and it was well known.

     So, those is just my thoughts on some separate hobby similarities. And yes. Just as you need that razor in copper, stainless, and aluminum, you need that same guitar in blue, red, and black.

As someone who spent my entire career in the paper industry, I can tell you that quality changes over time for any manufacturing process. Sometimes quality improves as specifications are changed or tolerances are tightened. Sometimes quality deteriorates as production equipment wears. In the razor blade manufacturing process, the tolerances are extremely tight. Things occur that are too small to see with the naked eye. As tooling wears over time, the dimensions will change ever so slightly. As bearings wear, the blade quality will be affected. Sometimes there might be a major change such as moving a brand to a new production line as is now occurring with Gillette blades being moved from PPI to China or India. In some cases, that might improve quality as mush of the production machinery at PPI was older equipment. However, in other cases, a blade might be produced on more than one production line and quality differs slightly between the two lines.  Even if the machinery were made off the same set of blueprints, the results might differ slightly.

In the papers industry, we often made the same grade of paper on two different paper machines or even in two different paper mills. There were always slight differences between them. I spent the last half of my career in technical field service providing assistance to customers. We often found that specific customers sometimes got better results using paper from one mill or paper machine than another, so we tried to work with production planning to get paper from the preferred location whenever possible.

Most of us are only evaluating the performance of a few razor blades from a single tuck or perhaps a single lot. Because of tolerances in manufacturing specifications, we never know whether the blades we evaluate at one end of the tolerances or at the median. That is why I might try some blades and get entirely different results than someone else.

That gets a hell yeah from me! Make sure to give us a full report on the super thins!