About to try the Blue Bird blade on my next shave. Just wondering if anyone out there had any feedback on these blades? Pros/Cons
Thanks!
Thanks!
Blue Bird Razor Blades!
- Thread starter Nando723
- Start date
I like them a lot. I've read that they are made in the Derby plant - but built to a bit higher standard. The shave for me has been both sharp and very smooth.
I like the name!
Birds of a "Feather" flock together?
Birds of a "Feather" flock together?
- Thread starter
- #4
Used the Blue Bird today for the first time with my new Merkur 43c and got the best shave since I've started wet shaving. Not sure if it was the blade or the razor or the combination of the two but either way it was BBS shave. I would put the Blue Bird in my top 2 blades but not sure if it beats the Astra. I will have to try the Astra in the 34c to compare. And I still have yet to try the Feather so the jury is still out on the top 3 blades.
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Here comes the bandwagon.
Bluebird was a great blade all along and the same exact one Derby is.
Can you tell me why a company would make a product better than it's own name branded one.
Bluebird was a private label that Derby made for someone and no one knows who this is. Bluebird is not on the Derby website last I checked a ways back so it is not an owned brand by them I would assume like Lord has Racer etc.
Bluebird was a great blade all along and the same exact one Derby is.
Can you tell me why a company would make a product better than it's own name branded one.
Bluebird was a private label that Derby made for someone and no one knows who this is. Bluebird is not on the Derby website last I checked a ways back so it is not an owned brand by them I would assume like Lord has Racer etc.
Joe! You know perfectly well that the Bluebird is much better than a Derby...it's made to higher standards, extreme tolerances, passes all kinds of quality control, sharpened by dwarves, etc...please say something like that. The idea that my much liked Bluebirds are simply a rebranded Derby...well, I will never look at them in the same way again. 
In all sincerity, I am surprised to hear that - I had read posts by a few guys who "swore" they were a much improved Derby and highly recommended - as it turns out, the only thing better must be the packaging - provided you like blue better than green. Just goes to show that a Derby can give you a pretty good shave...as long as you think it's something else!
In all sincerity, I am surprised to hear that - I had read posts by a few guys who "swore" they were a much improved Derby and highly recommended - as it turns out, the only thing better must be the packaging - provided you like blue better than green. Just goes to show that a Derby can give you a pretty good shave...as long as you think it's something else!
I was once told that Bluebirds were originally made for the UAE market.
It has another very close brother the Concord.
To me they both behave very similarly.
I have both of those blades and how they performed for me on the link in this thread. Note that all blades perform differently in different razors and this is based on a Slim as the constant.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/287286-DE-Blade-Challenge-II?highlight=
It has another very close brother the Concord.
To me they both behave very similarly.
I have both of those blades and how they performed for me on the link in this thread. Note that all blades perform differently in different razors and this is based on a Slim as the constant.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/287286-DE-Blade-Challenge-II?highlight=
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Another new blade for me to try. Interesting
Hey Gary - you have the average point total for the Derby as 18.8 and the Bluebird at 16.67 (the highest was 22 and the lowest 10). That's a fair amount of difference.
If indeed they are the same blade - I would think they would be a bit closer than that. What's your thoughts? I know that there may be variations between blade lots for all manufacturers...but if that is an acceptable amount of variation - then it pretty much wipes out every blade test I've seen, including yours, Squires and another done here on B&B a year or two ago...his name escapes me at the moment.
It is possible (and in my industry a reality - medical product sales) - that a manufacturer can indeed build different items that are very similar, yet very different in regards to final use.
In any event, I like the Bluebirds...
If indeed they are the same blade - I would think they would be a bit closer than that. What's your thoughts? I know that there may be variations between blade lots for all manufacturers...but if that is an acceptable amount of variation - then it pretty much wipes out every blade test I've seen, including yours, Squires and another done here on B&B a year or two ago...his name escapes me at the moment.
It is possible (and in my industry a reality - medical product sales) - that a manufacturer can indeed build different items that are very similar, yet very different in regards to final use.
In any event, I like the Bluebirds...
As much as Derbys suck and Bluebirds rock, I find it hard to believe they're made in the same plant.
- Thread starter
- #12
All I know is that my experience with the Blue Bird was much better than the one with a Derby. Now I did use the Derby in the Merkur 23c and the Blue Bird in the 34c so I guess I can't really compare them just yet but just from my initial observation, the Blue Bird cut much better with little irritation where the Derby was much rougher on my face. The Derby did improve with my second and third shaves but the Blue Bird was great with the first shave and I'll keep you posted on my next shave. Still working through my sampler and so far these are my rankings.
1. Astra
2. Blue Bird
3. Derby (Both blades improved with second and third shaves)
3. Gillette 7 O'Clocks (Both blades improved with second and third shaves)
Left to try:
Shark
Feather
1. Astra
2. Blue Bird
3. Derby (Both blades improved with second and third shaves)
3. Gillette 7 O'Clocks (Both blades improved with second and third shaves)
Left to try:
Shark
Feather
Tom, sadly enough there are the issues with any blade test.
1. The skin of each tester is different so that is a big variability factor to try to overcome.
2. The razor used and all the other software used (brush, lather, etc.) are different for the tester versus the user of the data.
3. Timing of manufacturing. A manufacturer may change a stropping or even more critically a honing method that can radically effect and earlier lot of blades versus later lots. Steel compositions may change, or coating may change.
4. Testing one blade is an extreme limitation. Considering that a normal statistical sample is usually equal to, or greater than 30 units, would make testing on one person extremely time consuming to the point that it becomes irrelevant because decades could pass by before the testing is complete.
What did I do on my testing.
1. Considered Price, Longevity and Properties in more or less equal proportions. I wanted to provide that aggregate view so that it would be more in line with real world use.
2. Counted every shave which can really harm a blade that can actually last a while. This test somewhat punishes the longer lasting blade even with an attempt to balance the scale in averaging.
3. Dated the test so that if major changes occur, the test is still valid against product of that time. There is not much that can be done as to the manufacturer changing processes.
As to these particular blades I decided to isolate just the performance based characteristics of each blade against the first two shaves. That should eliminate whether a outlier or "lucky" blade in terms of lifetime comes in to stack up points. So now the comparison is more equalized between the blades. Here is that equalization.
My testing was a first generated as my cheat sheet to know when to get rid of a blade and to serve as a tool for answering questions without relying on memory, but when I compiled the results I went ahead and submitted it to various forums based on the reference materials.
I guess what this proves to me is that in the two shave test, I liked all three equally and see a high degree of similarity between them.As to my preference. If I really have one to choose it would go slightly to the Concord. If anything though, it is really that these blades for me are two shaves and done. I don't know whether this helps or hinders the various debate of, "are they the same blade?" This is my additional attempt to refine the data.
That's a close race for sure. Can't argue with your results - I do seem to get better shaves with the Blue Birds - but I will test further in a couple of different razors. Hard to double blind something like this and to be honest; it's probably not worth the time as blade choices can be almost as emotional of a choice as it can a logical one. Of course there's always the "what's on sale this week" approach as well. I've been guilty of all three more than once.
I've been guilty of all three more than once.
It's a decent blade!
Bluebird is not the best, but a good blade with the right razor. Merkur 38C -forget it. Muhle R89 is OK.
I only tried one Bluebird sample blade package. Nice blade. So are the Derby's that I ended up buying several hundred of. Both blades performed beautifully in my Merkur 38C, and Stahley live blade razors. I couldn't really tell which blade was in which razor by the shave. I think I like hats better than birds, so I went with Derby brand for bulk purchase.
I honestly think that name and packaging influences even the most sincere tester unless it's a disaster of a test. My recent 100 pack of Shark blades are meat grinders, and I'll never buy them again, even though my past experience was good, and I really liked the packaging. Was it a bad batch? A bad production change? Beats me, but my money is lost, and Shark is out of contention.
I have 50 or so Feathers, just because everyone says they are the sharpest. Well, I like them, but I like Astras just as much, and Astras are 4 to 1 cheaper. So, I pop in a Feather now and then, but they just don't rock my world. Astra is a brand that has never let me down to date. Always sharp, always comfortable. I now have hundreds of them. I like the name Iridium more than I like the name Astra. Made in the same plant, on the same machines, the Iridium brand is off the market now.... Many say that it was the best blade in the world. Others claim that it is exactly the same as the Astra blade with different packaging. I don't know, as P&G Russia won't tell, but I wouldn't be surprised!
Id like to see a serious blind shaving blade test using many participants, and batch blended blade samples used in at least two razor types for each test. Of course, that won't happen any time soon, but I'd bet that it would serve up eye opening results.
I honestly think that name and packaging influences even the most sincere tester unless it's a disaster of a test. My recent 100 pack of Shark blades are meat grinders, and I'll never buy them again, even though my past experience was good, and I really liked the packaging. Was it a bad batch? A bad production change? Beats me, but my money is lost, and Shark is out of contention.
I have 50 or so Feathers, just because everyone says they are the sharpest. Well, I like them, but I like Astras just as much, and Astras are 4 to 1 cheaper. So, I pop in a Feather now and then, but they just don't rock my world. Astra is a brand that has never let me down to date. Always sharp, always comfortable. I now have hundreds of them. I like the name Iridium more than I like the name Astra. Made in the same plant, on the same machines, the Iridium brand is off the market now.... Many say that it was the best blade in the world. Others claim that it is exactly the same as the Astra blade with different packaging. I don't know, as P&G Russia won't tell, but I wouldn't be surprised!
Id like to see a serious blind shaving blade test using many participants, and batch blended blade samples used in at least two razor types for each test. Of course, that won't happen any time soon, but I'd bet that it would serve up eye opening results.
- Thread starter
- #19
I just had my second shave with the Blue Bird razor and still had a good experience. The blade was still sharp and gave good feed back which helped me get that BBS shave once again. My technique still needs work so had some weepers here and there but for the most part had a comfortable shave. Went back to the Speick for after shave splash which complemented the La Toja scent perfectly. Today was my first of many shaves with La Toja. The scent is absolutely amazing, liked it so much that I will be picking up the aftershave balm on my next trip to Pasteur's Pharmacy. It lathered up easily with and provided a slick smooth cushion for the blade to get in close with little irritation. La Toja will definitely be in my cream rotation and I suggest you add it to yours if you haven't already.
Happy Shaving!!
Happy Shaving!!
My mileage varied.
I've revisited Bluebirds a few times, and it was always the same song and dance:
"Jeepers, creepers, where'd you get those weepers..."
I have no doubt that they work well for other shavers, but for me, they are in the same group as Derby blades...the group I don't get along with.
It's just the capricious nature of blade/face interface, along with the gravitational pull the moon exerts on every earthly shave den, along with other forces too dark and arcane for mere mortals to comprehend. I dinna care how many tests, charts, electron microscope photos, reviews, sales, testimonials, blind comparisons, graphs, photos, tribute threads, B&B celebrity endorsements and frosty adult beverages are involved, I likes what I likes and you'all can takes hikes.
Every shaver should be willing to say that.
Despite the way they are pummeled in prose on these boards, the lowly Dorco, a blade with a name that screams you are a loooooser for even admitting that you thought about trying them, works for me, and that's that. Just don't go spreadin' that around, OK?
The exalted Feather, blade of every cool kid to ever "+1000 " another post about how all the cool kids use Feathers, didn't exactly wow me,
even though it's common knowledge that they are so sharp that they will even cut through the thick, sticky layer of loooooserism that hangs over every unhip Dorco shaver like, well, a hot Feather through room temperature buttah.
So fly your flag, you Bluebird lovers, tell those of us who've been spurned by your blade of choice, Derby clone or not, to teach our grandmothers to suck eggs, even if it's in the time honored, gentlemanly way of hallowed B&B tradition:
"YMMV".
I've revisited Bluebirds a few times, and it was always the same song and dance:
"Jeepers, creepers, where'd you get those weepers..."
I have no doubt that they work well for other shavers, but for me, they are in the same group as Derby blades...the group I don't get along with.
It's just the capricious nature of blade/face interface, along with the gravitational pull the moon exerts on every earthly shave den, along with other forces too dark and arcane for mere mortals to comprehend. I dinna care how many tests, charts, electron microscope photos, reviews, sales, testimonials, blind comparisons, graphs, photos, tribute threads, B&B celebrity endorsements and frosty adult beverages are involved, I likes what I likes and you'all can takes hikes.
Every shaver should be willing to say that.
Despite the way they are pummeled in prose on these boards, the lowly Dorco, a blade with a name that screams you are a loooooser for even admitting that you thought about trying them, works for me, and that's that. Just don't go spreadin' that around, OK?
The exalted Feather, blade of every cool kid to ever "+1000
" another post about how all the cool kids use Feathers, didn't exactly wow me, even though it's common knowledge that they are so sharp that they will even cut through the thick, sticky layer of loooooserism that hangs over every unhip Dorco shaver like, well, a hot Feather through room temperature buttah.So fly your flag, you Bluebird lovers, tell those of us who've been spurned by your blade of choice, Derby clone or not, to teach our grandmothers to suck eggs, even if it's in the time honored, gentlemanly way of hallowed B&B tradition:
"YMMV".
