A YMMV experience resulted in Astra SP > Personna Super

[Darkbulb]

I kept reading a lot about Personna and that they are really sharp and smooth - but as with so many things it's not black and white and the result you get can change due to skintype, technique, razor head used, water, lather, phase of the moon and how many pounds of cabbage you got in your fridge.

MY experience with blades so far has been with Derby, Astra SP and Personna Super.
Since there apparently are heaps of different Personna bladed...I included a photo below. I assume it's simply called "Personna Super"?

In recap:

Derby: Gave no irritation/burns, loved how audible the blade was. It did 'tug' and felt a bit draggy across my face. Not super smooth.
Tested: 5 shaves in total.

Astra SP: First shave gave me razor burns. Maybe I got careless after having used a more mild blade like Derby. After switching to Mysic Water's fabulous lather the Astra slid across my face like brownies down a fat kid's throat. Loved it.
Tested: 5 shaves total.

Personna Super: It felt as if I was using a Derby blade again. 'Tuggy' and draggy across my face. Left quite a bit of stubble. Not a very smooth shave at all. Surprised as I've heard a lot of good things about Personna - or maybe it's a different Personna blade people like so much?
Tested: 1 shave

Update:
Razor used: EJ DE89L


The search for the Holy Grail of Blades (HGB) goes on....

 

[Christian_V]

Interesting. Definitely a YMMV. I've tried out two Personna Super blades (Lab Blue) - which was 4 shaves - and they were smooth as silk. You ran them thru the same razor no (your EJ DE89)?

 

[aihpcfl]

I haven't used any Personna yet. But always interesting to read these comments. I found both Derby Extra and Astra SP to be satisfactory, with the Astra a tad better. But like you say, there are a lot of known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns when it comes to blades and personal preferences.

 

[Mick]

I can use any blade made in any razor and get a perfect BBS shave every time.

I've tried tens of thousands of combinations over the years and all provide me with a perfect shave time after time.

I should say I have been shaving for the better part of half a century so I sort of have it together when it comes to shaving

 

[The Dean]

I can use any blade made in any razor and get a perfect BBS shave every time.

I've tried tens of thousands of combinations over the years and all provide me with a perfect shave time after time.

I should say I have been shaving for the better part of half a century so I sort of have it together when it comes to shaving

I've seen pictures of your collection (well at least some of it) and I think you'd need half a century just to try out all the combinations.

I suppose this is the perfect place to suggest to the OP that with just about a month of DE shaving under his belt, there is probably a lot going on right now when it comes to perfecting technique and discovering what works and doesn't work. I'm only 6 months or so into DE shaving and I'm finding out new stuff all the time. That doesn't make the early experience any less valid or important---I think you should use what is comfortable and gives you great shaves. But just know these opinions are very subject to change.

 

[TacticalPanda]

Maybe it was a bad blade, Personna Supers always feel sharper to me than Astra's and just as smooth. I like how they feel kind of stiff, or thick, almost like a "diet" version of an SE blade in some way.

 

[Darkbulb]

Maybe it was a bad blade, Personna Supers always feel sharper to me than Astra's and just as smooth. I like how they feel kind of stiff, or thick, almost like a "diet" version of an SE blade in some way.

Interesting. I may try a brand new one next time to see if that's maybe what it was.

 

[kingfisher]

I don't like those Personna blades either. I've tried several of them on several different occasions separated by months and the result was always the same: disappointment. I thought I was the only one.

 

[Darkbulb]

I don't like those Personna blades either. I've tried several of them on several different occasions separated by months and the result was always the same: disappointment. I thought I was the only one.

My brother! ;-)

 

[Howl1nWolf]

I used to use the Personna blades but as my lather and technique improved I switched to Feathers. Now the Personnas feel a bit tuggy in comparison when I use them. Although I did have two heads of purple cabbage in the fridge at that time.

Haven't tried the Astras yet but they are next on my list.