RayClem's Blade Evaluations

Dorco Platinum Prime STP301 are just an amazing value - the more I use them the more I’m impressed.   I truly can’t understand why someone would buy AstraSP’s in North America today over these blades for any value shopper.

That is an accurate description of the Dorco Prime Platinum blades. They are not the sharpest, but they are sharp enough for most beards. They are not the smoothest, but they are smooth enough for most faces. They are not the cheapest, but they are quite reasonably priced. When you put that all together in a single product, you have an amazing value. They are among my favorite blades.

For younger shavers who do not have a tough beard or sensitive skin, Astra SP blades are a good value as well. For more experienced shavers, skip the Astra SPs and go for a sharper, smoother blade. The Dorco Primes area good option, but there are others as well.

Don't know anything about Dorco DE blades but the disposable Dorco twin blade razors they supply at my gym are the worst razors I have ever shaved with in my life.

The only Dorco product I have tried is the Dorco Prime Platinum STP301 blades made in Vietnam. The plant was built a few years ago using state of the art technology. The Prime blades are excellent. There are Dorco ST300 and ST301 blades available that are slightly less expensive than the Primes. I would recommend the Prime STP301 blades.

I do not know where the Dorco twin blade disposables are made. They cost 12 cents each when purchased in bulk, so I would not expect much from them.

The only Dorco product I have tried is the Dorco Prime Platinum STP301 blades made in Vietnam. The plant was built a few years ago using state of the art technology. The Prime blades are excellent. There are Dorco ST300 and ST301 blades available that are slightly less expensive than the Primes. I would recommend the Prime STP301 blades.

I do not know where the Dorco twin blade disposables are made. They cost 12 cents each when purchased in bulk, so I would not expect much from them.

You would not be disappointed.

In general, platinum-coated blades are superior relative to the stainless steel alone. My choice is Polsilver (the most versatile) and Feather (the sharpest). Overall, you cannot be wrong with Polish and Japanese blades. By the way, Poland is the top producer of safety razor blades, rather than Russia. Chinese blades are grossly inconsistent, stay away is a rule of a thumb.

Some of your comments are at least somewhat misleading.

While some platinum-coated blades are superior to some stainless steel PTFE coated blades, that is not always the case. I much prefer the Astra Superior Stainless blade to the Astra Superior Platinum blades counterpart. The stainless blade is both sharper and smoother. The Superior Platinum blades do not deserve the Superior designation. In general, your statement is correct, but is not universal. The Nacet Stainless blades are quite good, but not quite as good as the non-discontinued Gillette Nacet Platinum blades. Also Feather Hi-stainless blades are platinum coated, so you have to be careful with brand names.  

When you say Polsilver blades are the most versatile, which Polsilver blades do you mean? Vintage Polsilver blades were made in Poland, but many Polsilver blades were made by the PPI facility in Russia. I found that Wizamet blades made in Russia are superior to the Polsilver blades. While you say Polsilver blades are versatile, I say they are master of none. They are good blades, but do not excel. Perhaps versatile is a good descriptor after all. 

Poland is a very large exporter of razor blades, especially now that Russian blades are not imported into Western Countries. Polish blades are distributed through SUPER RAZOR Company in Morocco. Most are sold in the Middle East. It is difficult to obtain Polish made blades here in the States. 

While Chinese blades have a long history of being inconsistent, that reputation is changing. There are now some excellent blades produced in China, including many brands being made in the Gillette factory in Shanghai. Gillette is currently making their flagship King C Gillette blades there after moving them out of St. Petersburg, Russia. However, is is interesting to note that the Gillette Super Thin sold in Vietnam were both sharp and smooth, while the Gillette Super Thins sold in Thailand were the worst blade I evaluated. Both blades come from the same Chinese plant but are vastly different in quality. While I would have avoided Chinese blades a few years ago, I now have some excellent Chinese blades in my stash

....Well, the last four days I've been using a PPI Polsilver.  I'd a tuck or two and hadn't used one for a long long time. I can't even remember the last time.  In any event, four fabulous shaves (at least in my H&S N075, which is my daily workhorse).  Comfortable, close and easy.  I came here to see what fearless tester RayClemad to say and happened on this recent post.  I guess I'll change over to a Wizamet next and see how my mileage compares to this useful discussion.

Hi Ray, and everyone.
I've been away for a while. spending time on my car. But my shaves have mainly been DE.A few Straight shaves for special days.

I just wanted to point out to some of the newer guys to be sure to test different blades with the razors you might not get along with.
I have always had a bit of trouble with the Original Gillette "Olds" razors. The ones with the bullets pointing down. I went through about 5 different blades trying to find a blade that was smooth but less keen as I always got weepers from these razors.This drove me nuts! I have 5 of them. I gave up and figured I'd go more keen and just try to go easy. Yep! That was what worked. I put a Wisamet in the Gillette Old and got a great shave. I've tested all my Olds and went though 3 Wisamet blades and after 5 shaves the blade is done. But I get smooth comfortable shaves from a Razor I never did get along with.

So be sure you test different blades. Don't get hung up on one blade or think one blade fits all. OK, it will fit all but... If you only own one razor I guess don't worry about it. But wheres the fun in that?
Thanks again Ray for making this list. I still go by it and just ordered the 100 pack of Kings. I just had to with my name and all. LOL.

In general, platinum-coated blades are superior relative to the stainless steel alone. My choice is Polsilver (the most versatile) and Feather (the sharpest). Overall, you cannot be wrong with Polish and Japanese blades. By the way, Poland is the top producer of safety razor blades, rather than Russia. Chinese blades are grossly inconsistent, stay away is a rule of a thumb.

Some of your comments are at least somewhat misleading.

While some platinum-coated blades are superior to some stainless steel PTFE coated blades, that is not always the case. I much prefer the Astra Superior Stainless blade to the Astra Superior Platinum blades counterpart. The stainless blade is both sharper and smoother. The Superior Platinum blades do not deserve the Superior designation. In general, your statement is correct, but is not universal. The Nacet Stainless blades are quite good, but not quite as good as the non-discontinued Gillette Nacet Platinum blades. Also Feather Hi-stainless blades are platinum coated, so you have to be careful with brand names.  

When you say Polsilver blades are the most versatile, which Polsilver blades do you mean? Vintage Polsilver blades were made in Poland, but many Polsilver blades were made by the PPI facility in Russia. I found that Wizamet blades made in Russia are superior to the Polsilver blades. While you say Polsilver blades are versatile, I say they are master of none. They are good blades, but do not excel. Perhaps versatile is a good descriptor after all. 

Poland is a very large exporter of razor blades, especially now that Russian blades are not imported into Western Countries. Polish blades are distributed through SUPER RAZOR Company in Morocco. Most are sold in the Middle East. It is difficult to obtain Polish made blades here in the States. 

While Chinese blades have a long history of being inconsistent, that reputation is changing. There are now some excellent blades produced in China, including many brands being made in the Gillette factory in Shanghai. Gillette is currently making their flagship King C Gillette blades there after moving them out of St. Petersburg, Russia. However, is is interesting to note that the Gillette Super Thin sold in Vietnam were both sharp and smooth, while the Gillette Super Thins sold in Thailand were the worst blade I evaluated. Both blades come from the same Chinese plant but are vastly different in quality. While I would have avoided Chinese blades a few years ago, I now have some excellent Chinese blades in my stash

....Well, the last four days I've been using a PPI Polsilver.  I'd a tuck or two and hadn't used one for a long long time. I can't even remember the last time.  In any event, four fabulous shaves (at least in my H&S N075, which is my daily workhorse).  Comfortable, close and easy.  I came here to see what fearless tester RayClemad to say and happened on this recent post.  I guess I'll change over to a Wizamet next and see how my mileage compares to this useful discussion.

...following up.  Did go with a Wizamet and it did perform superbly for me.  A veritable wow.  Will keep using Wizamets and see if they displace my usual GSBs as my favorite combo in the H&S.