BIC Chrome Platinum - bad batch?!?

[Andris83]

Not visible to my naked eye - but my eyes are nearly 70 years old so I can barely recognize my own face in the mirror when I'm shaving.

I didn't bother corking this blade - there is no way I want to shave with it. I have corked some of these blades from the same batch a couple of weeks ago and you can feel (and hear) the blade catching as you drag it thru the cork. They look much better after corking but still these really must be a defective lot and can't be the same BIC blades that get all the great reviews.

I wonder if corking would actually remove that thing from the edge.

 

[NorthernSoul]

...I read somewhere that employees might smuggle out a batch that failed inspection and sell on their own - that seems more likely than fake. Doesn't seem like enough profit margin to bother faking.

You might be surprised. If you could produce blades cheaper than BIC can and sell them at the same price as BIC does, you could make more profit that BIC per unit. When you consider the global razor blade market is estimated at over $2 billion annually, there's money to be made.

There are supposedly some shops in China that will print whatever you like on some cheap blades and provide clone packaging to match. Blades can be produced for a few dollars per 100 in quantity. From $2.50 to $15.00 would be a 600% markup throughout the sales chain!

 

[lasta]

You might be surprised. If you could produce blades cheaper than BIC can and sell them at the same price as BIC does, you could make more profit that BIC per unit. When you consider the global razor blade market is estimated at over $2 billion annually, there's money to be made.

There are supposedly some shops in China that will print whatever you like on some cheap blades and provide clone packaging to match. Blades can be produced for a few dollars per 100 in quantity. From $2.50 to $15.00 would be a 600% markup throughout the sales chain!

Yeah, this guy:



Notice the catalog of blade wrappers and fake Dorcos.

 

[koreysmith]

What was the other site you ordered from, besides Amazon?

I always read all of the Amazon reviews and while they are 70+% (5 Star) positive, I always look at the other reviews as well to get well rounded opinions from others. It was the combination of the reviews on Amazon that made me second guess purchasing the Bic Chrome Platinum from them.

Also, there are two listings (from different sellers) on Amazon. One sells for $15.90 and the other one sells for $16.45.

One listing has a 73% fully positive rating, whereas the other one has a 66% fully positive rating.

I've ordered mine from both Razorbladesclub as well as Bonanza. So far, I haven't had any issues from those I have used.

I have what appears to be a different packaging design compared to what is currently available on Amazon. Actually, I do have the same packaging that is on Amazon, but I have a partial pack in what I assume is the older packaging (fold out card).

It is frustrating when purchasing blades because I've read mixed reviews on blades purchased on Amazon.

I've used Bic Chrome Platinum blades daily for years (Rockwell 6S w/6-plate) and get 5 great shaves per blade before I discard them. I did buy package of 100 last year, sampled blades from six different tucks, and they were all unusable. Whether counterfeit or a QC issue, I decided to always buy them from Amazon (famously great return policy) in case it ever happens again.

 

[JCarr]

I ordered 50 from Amazon and finally shaved with a good Bic blade. The tuck I had gotten previously must have either been a knockoff or just come from a bad batch.

 

[know1special]

Wow, this thread may be the most 'YMMV' thing I've seen on B&B yet, lol. The range of experience here is staggering.

FWIW, I've been using Bic CP on my mug daily for years and never encountered a single problem. In any of my razors.

For me, they've been sharp, consistent and durable. I've even taken a couple well past 40 shaves just for fun.

BTW, I can definitely confirm that they sharpen appreciably after the first shave. Coating wearing off, perhaps?