Blades similar to Astra SP

[ysbg]

I've been DE shaving for about one month now. Used two Derby blades and then moved on to Astra SP. I think I got the technique while using the Astra SP and I was able to have the last 4 shaves with no irritations. I was also able to shave three days in a row, which was unheard of for me previously. Now I have two Astra SP blades left in my sampler pack, so I was thinking about trying something else. What would you recommend given that I liked the Astra SP? I wasn't too happy about the Derby's, but at the time my technique was most likely wrong. Anyway, here is what I have:

• supermax stainless
• shark ss
• shark sc
• astra superior
• derby
• dorco
• merkur
• feathers

Also, are there some of those blades (i.e. merkur and dorco) that I should simply not try?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Daiku]

Persona Reds and Labs are similar to an Astra SP; I use them interchangeably. I suppose the Personnas are a bit more forgiving, but very much in the same (excellent) ballpark.

If the Dorcos you have are 301s, and not 300s, you may like them. I find the 301 to be like a better Derby. Ok for daily use, but not the best.

I don't know much about Sharks and Supermax, but I'm sure someone will offer their wise advice soon...

 

[ysbg]

Thanks Daiku. I checked and the Dorcos are 301.

 

[DrAwkward]

I have never tried SuperMax Stainless, but in my experience Supermax Super Platinum are amazingly similar to Astra SP. The Dorco 301 feels odd during the shave, but it is a good blade that gives a good shave.

 

[JimK]

You might find that Astra blades are one of the top performing blades available, despite their dirt cheap price
To answer your question though, my experience has been that most all brand names of blades manufactured at that same Gillette plant in St Petersburg, Russia have the same smooth and drama free shave characteristics.. That includes Astra, Perma Sharp, Iridium, and the various Gillette branded color wrappers. Go through your sampler, and note where each blade is made. Let me know if St Pete blades stand out in a positive manner for you as well.

At $9/100 blades, including shipping, and a fine shaving experience to boot, Astra blades are tough to beat...

 

[Stol3n]

Hate to start a new topic but since the OP asked what blades are compared to the Astra SP blades,how are they compared to the Personna Lab Blues?

 

[Miesterio]

You might find that Astra blades are one of the top performing blades available, despite their dirt cheap price
To answer your question though, my experience has been that most all brand names of blades manufactured at that same Gillette plant in St Petersburg, Russia have the same smooth and drama free shave characteristics.. That includes Astra, Perma Sharp, Iridium, and the various Gillette branded color wrappers. Go through your sampler, and note where each blade is made. Let me know if St Pete blades stand out in a positive manner for you as well.

At $9/100 blades, including shipping, and a fine shaving experience to boot, Astra blades are tough to beat...

Where are you getting that price?

 

[ArNav]

I don't like Astra at all. There are dozens of blades that are so much better.

 

[BRITD]

Since you have found a blade that works well for you and especially a irritation free shave, I would recommend you stick with the Astra's for now. You will find it easier to honed and perfect your shaving skills when you keep some of the variables (Prep, Razor, Blade, Soap, Brush) constant.

 

[Daiku]

Hate to start a new topic but since the OP asked what blades are compared to the Astra SP blades,how are they compared to the Personna Lab Blues?

As I said in my post, I think the two are very similar. The Labs are just a tiny bit milder and more forgiving, but still give a great shave. I only use Labs, Reds, and Astras now, and I don't have to adjust my technique at all when I switch between them.

 

[ysbg]

Since you have found a blade that works well for you and especially a irritation free shave, I would recommend you stick with the Astra's for now. You will find it easier to honed and perfect your shaving skills when you keep some of the variables (Prep, Razor, Blade, Soap, Brush) constant.

I agree, and now I wish I had gotten 100 Astra SP rather than the sampler pack.. But yeah, most likely I should order some, it seems like it's always good to have them around.

 

[ysbg]

Just as an update, I tried the Dorco 301 this morning. All went well, still no irritations or redness. Perhaps a tiny bit less smooth shave but that's to be determined after a few other tries.

 

[Nomad1600]

I haven't tried a few on your list (derby, sharks) but of the ones I have tried I would say none are like the Astra SPs... none combine the sharpness and comfort of the Astra SP. Of the ones I have tried (not on your list) I would say the Personna Labs are close but a bit sharper), the Wilkinson Swords (black label, the ones you can buy at Walmart) are close but perhaps not quite as sharp, but closest are the SuperMax Platinums (yellow and green paper). But this probably doesn't help if the goal is to use what you have (of what you have, I'd avoid the Dorcos which are subpar, the Feathers are great but noticeably sharper than the Astras and less comfortable IMO, so I'd suggest trying one of the Sharks).

That said... why not stick with something that works for you? Order more Astra SPs!

 

[ysbg]

After having briefly tried the Drocos and Sharks, and coming back to one of my last two Astra SP I really like the Astra SP more. It leaves my face smoother. So I just ordered 100 of them on amazon for 8.10GBP. I think it's what is best to keep focusing on my pressure, blade angle, and trying to go against the grain eventually. I will return to my other blades in 6 months of so perhaps.

 

[Augustiner]

Where are you getting that price?

bestshave.net - $8.49/100 Astra SP with free shipping worldwide on orders > $50
Barber Depot - $100/1100 Astra SP with free shipping on orders > $80

I have ordered from Barber Depot twice with fast shipping and great customer service. They have no website and only take phone orders.
They are located in NJ so shipment in the U.S. is received in a matter of days. Here are two #s listed on old threads: 201-300-6500, 877-292-0100

I have never ordered from bestshave.net but I have read good things about them. They ship from Turkey so it takes 3-4 weeks to receive them from what I've seen.

 

[JimK]

Where are you getting that price?

Amazon.com... With free shipping. I have hundreds of them, so its been six months since I last ordered, but I expect them to still be in the dirt cheap price range...

 

[Rothman]

I don't like Astra at all. There are dozens of blades that are so much better.

I'm glad I'm not alone on this. Astra's destroy my face, even Derby's work better for me.

 

[Goden]

I'm glad I'm not alone on this. Astra's destroy my face, even Derby's work better for me.

+1

For a tiny bit more money I can get some Silver blues instead and get a vastly smoother shave. I have tried both Astra SS and SP and found both to be too rough.

 

[JimK]

+1

For a tiny bit more money I can get some Silver blues instead and get a vastly smoother shave. I have tried both Astra SS and SP and found both to be too rough.

Lol, I shaved off my goatee last week, and loaded a Silver Blue in my razor two days ago to help keep my temporarily naked chin smooth.... Today, I was done with the Silver Blue, and loaded up an Astra SP. The Astra is so much smoother and closer in my experience... Not that the Silver Blue was bad in any way, but the Astra SP felt like home. Smoother, more forgiving, and just plain satisfying..

There must really be something to ymmv, but of all the varying blades out there, Astra SP is my "run home blade". If the latest darling blade of the market doesn't please me, or is too expensive, I can always run home to hundreds of Astra SP blades that dont go bad, and cost less than a six month supply of the latest ez clog cartridges...

 

[Rothman]

Lol, I shaved off my goatee last week, and loaded a Silver Blue in my razor two days ago to help keep my temporarily naked chin smooth.... Today, I was done with the Silver Blue, and loaded up an Astra SP. The Astra is so much smoother and closer in my experience... Not that the Silver Blue was bad in any way, but the Astra SP felt like home. Smoother, more forgiving, and just plain satisfying..

There must really be something to ymmv, but of all the varying blades out there, Astra SP is my "run home blade". If the latest darling blade of the market doesn't please me, or is too expensive, I can always run home to hundreds of Astra SP blades that dont go bad, and cost less than a six month supply of the latest ez clog cartridges...

Truly a strange coincidence as I placed a silver blue in my slim after the last Astra SP I used and I thought it was leagues better. It really is amazing how much different blades work differently for various users.