If you had to speculate on which blade would be on the Gillette chopping block, which would it be and why??
Best guess: Which is the next Gillette DE blade to "disappear"??
- Thread starter Borotva Penge
- Start date
Perma-Sharp Super.
Why? Another short-lived revival of old famous brand, pretty scarce even now, and too good to be true.
Why? Another short-lived revival of old famous brand, pretty scarce even now, and too good to be true.
It seems that P&G is consolidating the Gillette brand name in the PPI-sourced 7 o'clock blades, so I fear for the future of the other PPI blades carrying the Gillette name, like the Rubies. And if the Guard catches on in Inda, perhaps the Indian 7 o'clocks (the black super plats and green permasharps) and 365s may be doomed too.
Gillette blades like the Rubies, Sputniks, and Silver Blues will endure. They are Russian Market blades (RUDM? for you car guys). They are marketed not to us Americans but to the locals. They compete locally with Rapira offerings. They are certainly not going anywhere. Indian Greens and Blacks are more in danger
I agree with Gamad, PermaSharps. You will be able to get those made in Turkey, but not the good ones made in Russia.
Aren't the Silver Blues already discontinued??
I think the black 7 o'clocks are next. From all reports, the Guard is selling like hotcakes in India.......
I think the black 7 o'clocks are next. From all reports, the Guard is selling like hotcakes in India.......
That is my understanding as well.
I sure don't have any inside information, but I suspect the demise of the Indian Black is a looong way off. You will notice blues are easier to get here in the States? I suspect that is because almost all of the Gillette Black production is consumed in India, leaving little for export. The Indian market is still going strong, it will take a while for the carts to take over there.
I don't understand P&G agenda, why eliminate DE blades when there is a demand ? Even if they eliminate their brands, there is planty of other one that we can purchase. Isn't a small amount of profit better in your pockets instead of your competitor pockets ?
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The Turkish factory is long gone, every parma-sharp disponible are from Russia. Bestshave.com have a little stock of Turkish with the notice
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This product is for collection only.
Not recommended for a good shave.''
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Because it takes more money and logistics to maintain many different brands than a few brands. Most people in the countries where these 'boutique' brands are sold don't know the difference between a Permasharp, a Super Iridium or a Gillete Blue/Black/Yellow/Red orange. They buy what's available at their local bodega. If I were P&G, I'd probably do what it looks like they're doing--getting rid of the smaller brand, and selling DE blades only under the Gillette brand. If their goal is ultimately to get people in the developing world to move from DE blades to cartridges, it starts with building brand loyalty. Someone whose only choices for DE blades are those that are Gillette branded are far more likely to move on to Gillette's cartridge razors than someone who has been using Gillete-manufactured blades going under different names.
You could be right, but my sense is that P&G's strategy may be slightly different. I think the company wants to associate the premium Gillette name with the more profitable cartridge razors and compete in DE blades using sub-brands like Astra or Perma-Sharp. In that way, with time, someone who wants the luxury of shaving with a prestige Gillette product needs to shift over to cartridge razors. It is interesting that P&G has been phasing out various Gillette-branded plades (for example, the Swedes and Silver Blues) while acquiring other brand names, and also interesting that, while AoS is a P&G subsidiary, it does not carry Gillette DE shaving products.
///"If I were P&G, I'd probably do what it looks like they're doing--getting rid of the smaller brand, and selling DE blades only under the Gillette brand."///
-- Yes, but what they are doing is different - they are constantly inventing new brands, and then discontinuing them.
-- Yes, but what they are doing is different - they are constantly inventing new brands, and then discontinuing them.
PM Vladimir Putin, he's probably got the inside scoop since they are made in Russia.
and since he is an Ex-KGB agent, there is no way he will give us the information.
Does Gillette invent new DE brands, or do they simply buy existing brands (and the companies that own these brands and manufacture the blades) and phase them out over time or replace them with Gillette-branded products? It would also make sense that Gillette phased out Swedes, Bleues and Rubies if it felt that these particular brands weren't delivering ample sales and profits and could be replaced with the black/blue/yellow brands. Trust me, a company like Gillette doesn't make these decisions lightly. It examines the profitability of the markets where these brands are sold, the costs of production and distribution, and the potential ramifications for buying up other brands or ending those they have created or acquired. It has nothing to do with whether we here in the U.S. think a Swede is better than a Permasharp--it's all based on current sales and future sales.
But what is the idea behind stopping the produce of best selling blades like SI and Polsilver?
The blades you mention: Rubies, Sputniks, and silver blues are actually already discontinued by Gillette. Same as the Polsilvers. The reason they are still in market is because of remaining stock.
To my idea, the ones that will endure for sure are the Gillette 7 o'clock blades. That is unless the Gillette Guards start taking over the blades, then is doom for those as well.
If they stop making the 7 O'clock blacks, I will lose my mind.
Tally,
I totally agree! Those are some great some great blades!
David
I totally agree! Those are some great some great blades!
David
When did Gillette discontinue the Rubies? I had viewed these (along with the Indian Blacks) as a good back up to the Silver Blues when those finally disappear. Sad news if the Rubies are disappearing too.
