I wonder, has anyone tried any of the other old PPI brands in their new "Made in India" guise yet? Is a consensus emerging about any changes? It seems improbable but worth asking!
Just bought a 100 pack of Astra's and it says made in India
- Thread starter NorthernBoy
- Start date
What makes you think the blades at PPI are made of Russian steel, and the blades at Gillette India are made of Indian steel?
There is a post here about the steel ribbons used in different plants. I can't find it now. And it says for the 7 o'clock super platinum they use Japanese steel in India.
Also there is a batch of Gillette Super Thin Platinum made in Shanghai in a box (not the older one in a sleeve) that has the Japanese flag and claims in Vietnamese "Made from the best steel".
It is not about consensus.
Once they move a model to another Gillette plant it does not shave the same. Always!
I remember a certain Russian mole from the distant past claimed they sourced steel from four different suppliers.
And that was for the St. Petersburg factory.
lasta
Blade Biter
Was it 4 or 3? Who knows, maybe 7 now!I remember a certain Russian mole from the distant past claimed they sourced steel from four different suppliers.
And that was for the St. Petersburg factory.
But the idea does have merit. Newer production Rubies and Platinums develop water stains, older GSBs do not, or at least not as easily!
The last time I checked, there were only 2 plants in the entire world producing razor blade steel. It isn't just the steel, it is the final heat treat process at the plant making the blades that is the deciding factor.I remember a certain Russian mole from the distant past claimed they sourced steel from four different suppliers.
And that was for the St. Petersburg factory.
~doug~
More proof that the credibility of a Russian mole's testimony is questionable at best.
Wow, that wrapper looks more like something you'd see on Fuji film than on a razor blade.
Well, here's an article "Razor-Blade Model: Polaroid and Kodak Never Existed to Sell Cameras" but rather film, using what business schools professors term the "razor-blade model".
And I guess one of their students took this idea to its "logical conclusion" here:
That is very interesting. Do you have a source for this?
Great post pointing our some outliers. I was curious why the Ninjas are so much more expensive than all the other Indian Gillette blades. Could it be because the steel and thus input costs are different?
Also those Super Thins Platinums with the Japanese flag are indeed quite good, very sharp and very smooth. In my experience, tippy top blades. Again, they are pointing out their specialness with the flag (but their price is very reasonable). Also, Vientamese have a difficult relationship with China, but a good one with Japan. Google translate says the statement on the front is "Do the best you can." I will check the back for more wording.
Going back to the Global Shave Clubs post, he states that Dorco uses Korean steel. He says Korean steel is similar to Japanese steel, which is quite hard to sharpen, but can be "fantastic" when the best equipment is used. I can confirm the Dorco Prime from Vietnam using the new equipment are indeed quite excellent and sharp, but maybe they cost down on the stropping as they are a touch rough for me. It has been awhile since I have used one, I might need to put one in the rotation.
I am curious about the steel ribbon post!
Don't know how you use Google translate. The Google translate app on my phone recognises the characters from the picture and trnaslates them as "Made from the best steel". Which is confirmed if I write the English words "made from" it gives me Làm từ. If I write 'steel' it gives me 'Thép'.
Weird, I ran it again and now it says "Made from Japanese Steel." I can confirm they are right up there with the very best modern blades. I just ordered 200 (probably will be coming from Vientam directly). Sometimes you get bonus blades, so I may end up with 240
Give em a go.
I have more than 600 of those.
A once-great name, Kodak, chopped up and taped to every crap product someone thought would sell. Putting brand equity in the juicer until you've squeezed every last drop.Well, here's an article "Razor-Blade Model: Polaroid and Kodak Never Existed to Sell Cameras" but rather film, using what business schools professors term the "razor-blade model".
And I guess one of their students took this idea to its "logical conclusion" here:
View attachment 1717637
When they change countries, it is safe to assume that the steel they are using is now the steel produced in that country. The packaging may look the same but the machinery will also be different. Very doubtful it will be the "same" blade.
lasta
Blade Biter
I think @Rosseforp once mentioned that there are only a few manufacturers of razor blade steel sheets around.
Pakistani Treets use Sandvik steel, I'd assume the Gillette Indian plant sources the same?
I believe that there are quite a number of sources for razor blade steel.
