If you're the sort of shaver that pairs a mild razor with a super sharp stainless steel blade, this blade will probably not work for you. The Treet black carbon steel blade (sometimes referred to as the "black beauty") offers the same feel as vintage carbon steel DE blades during the shave but are of newer production (nation of origin: Pakistan), and are thinner than the original .006" thick carbon steel blades (same thickness as today's contemporary stainless blades at .004").
If you have never used a carbon steel blade before, it is important to note several things: for one, they will not match the surgical sharpness of a coated stainless steel blade. Second, they require a minimum amount of maintenance between shaves in order to prevent rusting of the blade. Normally this is nothing more than rinsing it after the shave, blotting it carefully (do not wipe) with tissue or similar absorbent material, then putting it away for the next shave.
I have used the Treet black carbon steel in several different razors with very good results, including the Gillette Adjustable 195, the Slim, the late 40's Aristocrat and the Schone open comb three piece razor. One razor I tried them in and do not recommend anyone else do so is in the Muhle R41. That was a very rough and uncomfortable shave. What carbon steel blades can do is offer a bit more forgiveness when used in some razors while reducing the tendency to irritate.
These blades commonly ship in a 10 pack tuck, with each blade individually wrapped in a wax inner liner which is held within the outer wrapper. This will aid in storage longevity when they are kept in a suitable, low humidity storage environment.
I am able to get several shaves per blade using a two-pass plus touch up routine, but have not pushed them further. Some users have reported they get upward of 5 to 7 shaves on this blade. That number of shaves given the cost per blade, make it an excellent value.
Whether a carbon steel blade is right for you can only be determined through a trial period, best done by grabbing some samplers. For me, they breathe new life into my vintage Gillette's and offer a nice post-shave feel reminiscent of the day when Gillette double edge razors and carbon steel blades dominated the shaving market.
If you have never used a carbon steel blade before, it is important to note several things: for one, they will not match the surgical sharpness of a coated stainless steel blade. Second, they require a minimum amount of maintenance between shaves in order to prevent rusting of the blade. Normally this is nothing more than rinsing it after the shave, blotting it carefully (do not wipe) with tissue or similar absorbent material, then putting it away for the next shave.
I have used the Treet black carbon steel in several different razors with very good results, including the Gillette Adjustable 195, the Slim, the late 40's Aristocrat and the Schone open comb three piece razor. One razor I tried them in and do not recommend anyone else do so is in the Muhle R41. That was a very rough and uncomfortable shave. What carbon steel blades can do is offer a bit more forgiveness when used in some razors while reducing the tendency to irritate.
These blades commonly ship in a 10 pack tuck, with each blade individually wrapped in a wax inner liner which is held within the outer wrapper. This will aid in storage longevity when they are kept in a suitable, low humidity storage environment.
I am able to get several shaves per blade using a two-pass plus touch up routine, but have not pushed them further. Some users have reported they get upward of 5 to 7 shaves on this blade. That number of shaves given the cost per blade, make it an excellent value.
Whether a carbon steel blade is right for you can only be determined through a trial period, best done by grabbing some samplers. For me, they breathe new life into my vintage Gillette's and offer a nice post-shave feel reminiscent of the day when Gillette double edge razors and carbon steel blades dominated the shaving market.