Blade Biter's Tasting Notes
- Thread starter lasta
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #62
No tasting notes today, other than to say I shaved with a tried and true blade.
Old Type, Super Silver (4th shave), Mondial Badger, RazoRock SMdF, MG5.
8.5/10
The blade was fine, but I polished up and silver plated the Old Type yesterday. During the sanding cycles, I might have removed too much material because it felt significantly harsher than when I got it!
No significant irritation per se, but blade feel went up two notches!
BTW, I only have a few more untried blades in my inventory, mostly vintage eastern European varieties, or lesser known carbon steel ones.
Honestly, I'm not expecting too much from them. Maybe I should wait for @mgweatherly feel the pain first?
Old Type, Super Silver (4th shave), Mondial Badger, RazoRock SMdF, MG5.
8.5/10
The blade was fine, but I polished up and silver plated the Old Type yesterday. During the sanding cycles, I might have removed too much material because it felt significantly harsher than when I got it!
No significant irritation per se, but blade feel went up two notches!
BTW, I only have a few more untried blades in my inventory, mostly vintage eastern European varieties, or lesser known carbon steel ones.
Honestly, I'm not expecting too much from them. Maybe I should wait for @mgweatherly feel the pain first?
Still a nice job and great handle!! As for the shave - my Old Type has some minor alignment checks & balances to be performed before I get my shave on. So maybe the blade exposure was more on one side than the other?
Cheers,
Guido.
Cheers,
Guido.
- Thread starter
- #64
Thanks Guido!
It was actually a half-assed job haha. Went a little crazy with the sanding and probably removed 1/2 mm of thickness from the top cap. Even flat sanded the edges, so I'm guessing blade exposure has gone up quite a bit.
A bit rough, but still shaves fine! I needed another slightly more aggressive razor anyways. Excessive Tech'ing has made me complacent.
- Thread starter
- #65
As suggested by @Guido75 , I finally got around to trying a vintage Astra Superior Stainless today.
I didn't hold much expectations as these came from a lot I purchased from Hungary, the majority of which where loose blades or opened tucks that probably spent decades in questionable storage conditions. I sifted through the pile to find a particularly clean one got down to business.
Wow, These are some fine underdogs! First few swipes and I knew these are top notch. Not the sharpest thing around, but very smooth. The blades cut with adequate efficiency, but what stood out was an almost rounded edge or self-lubricating like sensation that made me feel like I couldn't nick myself even if I tried. At no point did these blades feel prickly.
Compared to modern Astra SP, I would say perceived sharpness is just a hair below, but smoothness and comfort is higher. Modern Astras are equally good blades, but by no means are these eastern block produce second rate plebs!
I'm giving these 3.5/5 for sharpness and 4.5/5 for smoothness. Great blades territory!
I don't know what's the story behind Czech Blades SRO, but before Gillette, they were great, during Gillette they were great. But now, they make Tigers with missing teeth.
PS, pre-shave prep was more extensive today than usual, might have been a contributing factor to shave quality. Best shave all week!
I didn't hold much expectations as these came from a lot I purchased from Hungary, the majority of which where loose blades or opened tucks that probably spent decades in questionable storage conditions. I sifted through the pile to find a particularly clean one got down to business.
Wow, These are some fine underdogs! First few swipes and I knew these are top notch. Not the sharpest thing around, but very smooth. The blades cut with adequate efficiency, but what stood out was an almost rounded edge or self-lubricating like sensation that made me feel like I couldn't nick myself even if I tried. At no point did these blades feel prickly.
Compared to modern Astra SP, I would say perceived sharpness is just a hair below, but smoothness and comfort is higher. Modern Astras are equally good blades, but by no means are these eastern block produce second rate plebs!
I'm giving these 3.5/5 for sharpness and 4.5/5 for smoothness. Great blades territory!
I don't know what's the story behind Czech Blades SRO, but before Gillette, they were great, during Gillette they were great. But now, they make Tigers with missing teeth.
PS, pre-shave prep was more extensive today than usual, might have been a contributing factor to shave quality. Best shave all week!
Are you going to use the blade again tomorrow? Would be investing to see if performance maintains after the first run.
Thanks for the extended notes.
Guido
Thanks for the extended notes.
Guido
- Thread starter
- #67
Sure why not, first impression was very good. I might have to get a few Tigers and give them another chance!
- Thread starter
- #68
Shave 2 with the former Czechoslovak blade, still very good!
English Tech, Astra (2), Mondial, RR SMdF, MG5.
A bit of a primer: I chased BBS yesterday, while I didn't notice anything immediately post shave, there was a hint of residual irritation that popped up in the afternoon. Downgrading perceived smoothness/comfort to 4 (still very good, but not noticeably ahead of modern Astra).
Yesterday's BBS induced mild irritation meant my face was not in the best of shape today. But the blade still delivered a fuss free shave. No tugging, while I felt a bit of prickliness on some strokes, they weren't rough by any means. I achieved another BBS- shave with a bit of aftershave sting, but no major irritation.
I think vintage Astras are still very good blades and worth trying out if you come across a sizeable lot. But not quite top shelf or worth actively tracking down.
- Thread starter
- #69
Tip top technique tames tuggy Tigers - thombrogan
Tamed, yes. But why do we do this to ourselves? Most people shave to look presentable. (Most) B&B members shave because it's an indulgence (a few are known masochists). Tigers are tools that you have to work to make it work.
Comparing Tigers to their predecessors, I can see that some hereditary traits have been passed on. The two bevel edge grind is more or less identical to pre-Gillette Astras, although grind quality has gone down significantly as these notably rougher under the loupe.
Copious amount of oil were sprayed on the edges and the 4 wax dots covering 1/3 of the blade puts Gillettes to shame.
On to the shave. They do feel a little bit sharper than the grey Tigers. Slightly ahead of Supermax Diamond Edge and the Supernova I tried recently. Yet still not sharp enough for my liking. WTG did fine, although a bit rough. But ATG needed some slanting/sawing to cut sufficiently.
At the end, I got a fairly close shave. Aftershave sting wasn't high either. But writing 4 hours after shaving, my entire face feels rough, numb, raw etc...classic signs of epidermal damage.
These blades are sharp enough to cut, but by no means smooth or enjoyable. I'm giving 3/5 for sharpness, 2/5 for smoothness. Cheap? Sure, but Gillette Wilkinsons are cheaper still, and much better cutters.
Tamed, yes. But why do we do this to ourselves? Most people shave to look presentable. (Most) B&B members shave because it's an indulgence (a few are known masochists). Tigers are tools that you have to work to make it work.
Comparing Tigers to their predecessors, I can see that some hereditary traits have been passed on. The two bevel edge grind is more or less identical to pre-Gillette Astras, although grind quality has gone down significantly as these notably rougher under the loupe.
Copious amount of oil were sprayed on the edges and the 4 wax dots covering 1/3 of the blade puts Gillettes to shame.
On to the shave. They do feel a little bit sharper than the grey Tigers. Slightly ahead of Supermax Diamond Edge and the Supernova I tried recently. Yet still not sharp enough for my liking. WTG did fine, although a bit rough. But ATG needed some slanting/sawing to cut sufficiently.
At the end, I got a fairly close shave. Aftershave sting wasn't high either. But writing 4 hours after shaving, my entire face feels rough, numb, raw etc...classic signs of epidermal damage.
These blades are sharp enough to cut, but by no means smooth or enjoyable. I'm giving 3/5 for sharpness, 2/5 for smoothness. Cheap? Sure, but Gillette Wilkinsons are cheaper still, and much better cutters.
On that fascinating note let us pause for a musical interlude.
I have chosen one of the greatest one-hit-wonders, the Kalin Twins.
Released in August 1958 (You Tube has the date wrong) it was a massive No 1 everywhere.
What a catchy optimistic tune! So late 50's America!
So everyone pull out your D-3 Red Tips, and shave along to 'When'!
I have chosen one of the greatest one-hit-wonders, the Kalin Twins.
Released in August 1958 (You Tube has the date wrong) it was a massive No 1 everywhere.
What a catchy optimistic tune! So late 50's America!
So everyone pull out your D-3 Red Tips, and shave along to 'When'!
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- Thread starter
- #71
I'll have to fire up the personal computer and ask the back alley operator to connect me to your song. Skynet doesn't like me watching YouTube.
Will decide on whether to Bacon or Barf after I get through.
- Thread starter
- #72
Man these Tigers are rough! 28 hours later and the corners of my mouth still hurt when I open up to bite. This is going to affect my evening sushi!
I'm opening up a Tiger disposal side business. Send me your Tigers and I'll feed them to my black ****-a-doodle.
I'm opening up a Tiger disposal side business. Send me your Tigers and I'll feed them to my black ****-a-doodle.
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Sorry they are not working out for you. Life is too short to mull over razor blades so I think it’s time to move on.
Cheers,
Guido
Cheers,
Guido
You can move on after a few more amusing posts about them
- Thread starter
- #75
Straight off the lathe:
Personally, I think these belong on a satin pillow rather than a piece of toilet paper!
Personally, I think these belong on a satin pillow rather than a piece of toilet paper!
These are amazing again. So is the regular ship back in business?
I used the one in the right yesterday. Very nicely balanced!
Enjoy!!
Guido
- Thread starter
- #77
Yes the guy is back in business!
I liked the first red one, but it felt a bit light. These are lead filled.
So that bulbous one might finally see the light of day as well then! Amazing handles. Enjoy mine very very much. And your previous batch with the metal ring in the middle too is also very eye candy!
Guido
Guido
- Thread starter
- #79
Bulbous had some design changes, but yes, next in line!
First off, those look amazing!
Secondly, that toilet paper is at least triple-ply and that makes it more luxurious than a mere satin satin pillow
Secondly, that toilet paper is at least triple-ply and that makes it more luxurious than a mere satin satin pillow
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