Blind Test #12 - Iridium Super vs Polsiver Super Iridium

[Oscroft]

Thanks to Emilio for kindly supplying some Polsilvers, I'm all set to test the famous original Iridium Super against the Polsilver Super Iridium.

For a lot of people, and I'm one of them, the original IS is just about the best DE blade there is - for me it offers a close-to-perfect combination of sharpness and smoothness. But is the Polsilver version the same? A lot of people seem to think it is.

The first thing I noticed when I unwrapped the blades is that they are marked identically - I've marked one with a Sharpie so I can tell them apart when the test is over.

For a change this time, I'll be using my two Merkur Bakelite razors, which I think are excellent - there's something about the head geometry that makes them work great. And I was fortunate to find one in an unusual colour scheme, with the red and black swapped (but otherwise identical in every way). So, a friend loaded these two razors with the blades for me, and I have no idea which blade is in which...



Full details of the thinking behind these tests can be found in the thread here.

The first shave will be tomorrow.

 

[mastershake]

just ordered some polsilver si's from emilio but def want to see how this turns out i love si's and have the newer ones coming i hope they are as good as the older ones.

 

[Oscroft]

Shave #1

Iridium Super vs Polsilver Super Iridium, in two Merkur Bakelite razors - one red, one black

Test set up as described in the thread here.

Black = Left side of face
Red = Right side of face

Brush = Semogue SOC 2012 SE, mixed-hair
Soap = DR Harris Arlington
AS = Pinaud Lilac Vegetal

Pass 1, WTG: Pass 2, XTG: Pass 3, ATG: All three passes were excellent - very sharp and very smooth, with identical-feeling performance from each blade.

Closeness: Pretty much BBS on both sides.

Comfort: Very comfortable, with no irritation.

AS: Mild sting from The Veg, very relaxing.

Pretty short report, but there's little to say at this early stage.

 

[coachschaller]

Thanks for doing these I will be interested to find out...

 

[RedRocks]

I like both blades. I have my thoughts on which is better, but I will wait to see what Alan comes up with.

~Frank

 

[Useless shaver]

Longing to see the results of this test and how they compare to my general (and no scientific whatsoever) impression about these blades!

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/337988-Super-Iridium-Polsilver-SI-and-Feathers

Subscribed! And thank you again for these fantastic blind tests!

 

[JCturboT]

Alan,
Thank You for your unbiased blade tests. I enjoyed all of them.

I will be following this one closely as the original Super Iridiums are my favorite blade.

Jeff

 

[Oscroft]

Shave #2

Iridium Super vs Polsilver Super Iridium, in two Merkur Bakelite razors - one red, one black

Test set up as described in the thread here.

Black = Right side of face
Red = Left side of face

Brush = Semogue Italian Barber LE (this one)
Soap = Cella
AS = Blue Stratos

Pass 1, WTG: Pass 2, XTG: Pass 3, ATG: Really just the same as shave #1. Both blades very sharp and cutting really well, and both feeling very smooth.

Closeness: Again, nice BBS on both sides.

Comfort: Another comfortable shave, with no irritation.

AS: Nice feel from the AS splash, with skin smooth and tight.

It's boring, this bit, isn't it?

 

[Useless shaver]

Wait, wait....

 

[RedRocks]

Boring, no. Predictable, well ....

 

[Maxime D.]

All this effort to discover that you have a Chevrolet Silverado and a GMC Sierra. XD

 

[jwilock]

Just out of curiosity, how do you like those razors. You've used quite a few in the course of these blade tests so I'm wondering how these bakelites compare to the more traditional razors.

 

[Oscroft]

Just out of curiosity, how do you like those razors. You've used quite a few in the course of these blade tests so I'm wondering how these bakelites compare to the more traditional razors.

I like the Merkur Bakelite a lot. I think it's the head geometry - it's more curved than some. I generally tend to prefer a shallower blade angle, and I think the head makes that more intuitive for me. Some people might find the extreme light weight a problem, and I was wary of that at first. But it hasn't been a problem at all, and the Bakelite works just as well as heavier razors for me - perhaps because I only use very sharp blades in them and they don't need the weight? Maybe one day I'll try a heavy metal handle with a Bakelite head!

 

[jwilock]

Thanks. I was interested in them exactly because of the big curve they put into the blade. Lightweight with a really sharp blade seems like a nice combo to me.

 

[Early Morning]

Maybe there will be some difference in longevity?

It would be interesting to see someone compare these to some of the old English made Wilkinson Sword blades. I almost couldn't tell the difference when I switched between the two a couple of months ago. The swords were a bit smoother and more efficient, but they felt remarkably similar.

 

[Oscroft]

Shave #3

Iridium Super vs Polsilver Super Iridium, in two Merkur Bakelite razors - one red, one black.

Test set up as described in the thread here.

Black = Left side of face
Red = Right side of face

Brush = Vie-Long 65/35 horsehair
Soap = Shulton Old Spice Cream (India)
AS = P&G Old Spice

Pass 1, WTG: Pass 2, XTG: And the same again - nothing to choose between two very sharp and smooth blades.

Pass 3, ATG: Two small weepers from Red, one on the upper lip and one at the end of my mouth, which needed a bit of styptic. But I didn't notice them until afterwards, and I'd hesitate to blame them on the blade.

Closeness: Another good BBS all over. It struck me at the start of the shave just how close these blades are getting - after 48 hours, I had less than my usual amount of stubble.

Comfort: Very comfortable too.

AS: Bit of sting from the OS - left my skin feeling nicely tight and smooth.

 

[Oscroft]

Shave #4

Iridium Super vs Polsilver Super Iridium, in two Merkur Bakelite razors - one red, one black.

Test set up as described in the thread here.

Black = Right side of face
Red = Left side of face

Brush = Semogue SOC 2-band
Soap = Col Conk Amber
AS = DR Harris Marlborough

Pass 1, WTG: Pass 2, XTG: Pass 3, ATG: Back to being really predictable, and very sharp and smooth on both sides. It's still impossible to tell any difference between the two blades.

Closeness: Same again, and another BBS.

Comfort: Yep, lovely. If anything, the blades felt a little smoother today and this was possibly my most comfortable shave so far.

AS: I love the feel of DR Harris aftershaves - my skin was left tight, smooth and soothed again.

That's the equivalent of 2 full-face shaves on each blade, and I can usually easily get between 4 and 6 shaves from an IS - so I think it's going to be another few shaves yet before there'll be any noticeable change.

As an aside, I received two razors in the post today - a nice G-series Schick injector with a dark blue handle, and a new "2013 style" Mühle R41 with a rosegold handle. I really really wanted to try the R41 today - but no, my blade test audience must come first! I hope you appreciate my self-sacrifice

 

[Useless shaver]

I received two razors in the post today - a nice G-series Schick injector with a dark blue handle, and a new "2013 style" Mühle R41 with a rosegold handle. I really really wanted to try the R41 today - but no, my blade test audience must come first! I hope you appreciate my self-sacrifice

Yes, of course.

 

[alphapunk2]

i have a feeling that the results for both blades are gonna be exactly the same in terms of performance

 

[ateace]

As an aside, I received two razors in the post today - a nice G-series Schick injector with a dark blue handle, and a new "2013 style" Mühle R41 with a rosegold handle. I really really wanted to try the R41 today - but no, my blade test audience must come first! I hope you appreciate my self-sacrifice

It sounds like you have a Schick "66" model injector. I believe these were only made in 1949. Very nice!
What color is the head? Gold or silver?