Elios, Astra SP, Shark SC, Rapira (any), Bic.
The lowest of that middle tier is probably the Personna Platinum.
I have a similar experience with Feather blades. They won't make it through three shaves for me. Thus, I have eliminated them from my rotation.
When I shave with a new BIC, they are sharp, nearly as sharp as a Feather. But the second and subsequent shaves are extremely smooth. I finally binned one yesterday after 14 shaves because I felt a couple of tugs. I normally get 4 shaves from a Feather.
Blades have to be one of the most hilariously YMMV thing I've encountered. I've tried some Voskhod I got in a sampler (in two different razors) and both times after the second shave I said 'no way I'm going to do this to myself on purpose." Into the Nope drawer.
Today I tried a Rapira Lux which I imagined might be similar but it was much better. Better than what I don't know, other than for me better than a Voskhod
Razor blades are a YMMV thing so what work for some folks may not work for others. The question I have is that since razor blades are relatively inexpensive, why would anyone have a blade in their rotation that they consider to be bottom tier?
I haven’t had so much as a weaker in the past dozen shaves. Today I loaded a new BIC and had one on my upper lip after the second pass. But it was my fault. I got a little careless because the previous blade had been so forgiving.Huh. OK I must admit that sounds pretty good
I'll give them more of a chance!
Big J .....You are absolutely right....In my case it was the ZAZA PLATINUM.Even with good prep and preshave that blade couldn't cut my beard.I even tried 3 different razors....no go!ZaZa, without doubt the lowest of the low in my den: dull, rough, uncomfortable and short-lasting!
(On the good side: wonderful name, great graphics and terrific packaging.)
Same thing for me....no longevity.I have a similar experience with Feather blades. They won't make it through three shaves for me. Thus, I have eliminated them from my rotation.
I had the same experience with the Treet black beauties. Dull but very smooth. I rarely used them.Trying some low-budget, lower-end blades the most success I've had was with the ridiculously cheap Treet DuraSharp carbon blades. They rate very low in the sharpness department, but they are the smoothest blades I've used. It's like shaving with a butter knife. A perfect match for an aggressive razor.
I haven’t had so much as a weaker in the past dozen shaves. Today I loaded a new BIC and had one on my upper lip after the second pass. But it was my fault. I got a little careless because the previous blade had been so forgiving.
It is one of my favorite blades.
I tried shaving with Feather but couldn't even complete the shave. I think that it is too sharp for it's own good. There is absolutely no need for a blade to be sharp to such an extreme extent. No call for it. It misses the point. And in addition to being ridiculously sharp it is also so unforgiving that it is simply dangerous. I see no reason to use such blades, unless you like to live on the edge.
I love BIC blades that are just as sharp as Feather blades, but hold their edge longer.
ZaZa, without doubt the lowest of the low in my den: dull, rough, uncomfortable and short-lasting!
(On the good side: wonderful name, great graphics and terrific packaging.)
Which Zaza blades did you try?