Item Description
First of all, I am a bit apprehensive about doing a review of a blade that is no longer in production, but I believe this blade deserves special consideration.
I enjoy shaving exclusively with new old stock (NOS) blades, finding them in most cases to be better than what is currently in production. Many a NOS user will echo my sentiments. And while it is fairly easy to toss up a review of a blade, it is in my opinion best reserved for current production blades.
I will make an exception for the Personna 74. The 74 derives its name from the element tungsten, which conveniently is numbered 74 on the periodic table of elements. Ergo, Personna 74. This blade has several things going for it. One, it is simply the longest lasting DE blade ever made, if user experience is to be believed. Shavers regularly report achieving 20 to 30 excellent shaves from this blade. Much of it has to do with the Tungsten steel and Platinum coatings, to be sure. Some of it was determined by the particular steel stock used, as well as the machines the blades were made on. In my opinion, ASR achieved the perfect storm when they manufactured this blade—all conditions and materials were perfectly aligned. They come in two flavors, the 74 and 74 plus. I have not been able to determine the differences yet.
This is one of the finest blades ever made. And not only does it yield a smooth, comfortable shave, results are extremely consistent from shave to shave. The only issue I experienced is that the first few shaves were a little rough. After that, the blade really came in to it’s own. There are a few blades that I feel are touch smoother, so smoothness is the one category (other than price) that I deducted points on.
Speaking of cost, the one negative of the 74 is price. Supplies of these are very rare, and as a result of increasing interest on the forums have trended upward. So for most this blade will become their special occasion blade and not an everyday shaver. Having said that, if you have an opportunity to pick a few up, it would be well worth your while.
If any blade deserved the title “King of Blades” it would be the Personna 74.
I enjoy shaving exclusively with new old stock (NOS) blades, finding them in most cases to be better than what is currently in production. Many a NOS user will echo my sentiments. And while it is fairly easy to toss up a review of a blade, it is in my opinion best reserved for current production blades.
I will make an exception for the Personna 74. The 74 derives its name from the element tungsten, which conveniently is numbered 74 on the periodic table of elements. Ergo, Personna 74. This blade has several things going for it. One, it is simply the longest lasting DE blade ever made, if user experience is to be believed. Shavers regularly report achieving 20 to 30 excellent shaves from this blade. Much of it has to do with the Tungsten steel and Platinum coatings, to be sure. Some of it was determined by the particular steel stock used, as well as the machines the blades were made on. In my opinion, ASR achieved the perfect storm when they manufactured this blade—all conditions and materials were perfectly aligned. They come in two flavors, the 74 and 74 plus. I have not been able to determine the differences yet.
This is one of the finest blades ever made. And not only does it yield a smooth, comfortable shave, results are extremely consistent from shave to shave. The only issue I experienced is that the first few shaves were a little rough. After that, the blade really came in to it’s own. There are a few blades that I feel are touch smoother, so smoothness is the one category (other than price) that I deducted points on.
Speaking of cost, the one negative of the 74 is price. Supplies of these are very rare, and as a result of increasing interest on the forums have trended upward. So for most this blade will become their special occasion blade and not an everyday shaver. Having said that, if you have an opportunity to pick a few up, it would be well worth your while.
If any blade deserved the title “King of Blades” it would be the Personna 74.
