DE blade QC?

[El Judio Bravo]

As I use one blade at a time and then go on to the next sample in my pack I wonder.

The blades from Gillette and ASR of which I have used more than one example were of uniform high quality. Whether manufactured in Asia, Europe, or the States, I see that their standards are rigidly enforced; if it has the Gillette name on the packaging, it is a good blade be it the Indian black or Russian yellow.

Other manufacturers enjoy good reputations but I do see enough negative comments that I must ask the question: How reliable are these brands? This issue becomes even hairier in the case of Lord. They make a bunch of products; different grades of blades under several names. Is a Super Platinum always what one expects?

And I especially would like to hear about the Derby brand. There is the hubbub over "horizontal" vs "vertical"; I understand many disapprove of the newer "vertical" printing packages; there's grumbling over a perceived change for the worse in the manufacturing process.

Derby, Lord, and the Bangladeshi 7 A.M. have the allure of being dirt cheap even at retail. But do they deliver the goods blade after blade after blade like the "big boys'" products?

As time goes by I'm going to want to buy a bulk package of something. (I'll always have some variety in my medicine cabinet.) Oddly enough, I've so far found the U.S.-made Personnas to be very comfortable and consistent, even in all three of my razors. (I bought mine at a Rite Aid, and I see them at my local supermarket chain under their brand.) I just don't want to "cheat" myself out of an equally good product that might be an even better buy.

Comments, friends?

 

[W_B_K]

I did not have a good experience with the Derbys. If you like the US brand Personnas (I do), you may like the Israeli ones too. I bought a box of 100 ($14.99 shipped) and they have been consistent... all excellent!

 

[El Judio Bravo]

I did not have a good experience with the Derbys. If you like the US brand Personnas (I do), you may like the Israeli ones too. I bought a box of 100 ($14.99 shipped) and they have been consistent... all excellent!

Ah, but were the Derby blades uniformly unsatisfactory?

I converted my 800-lb computer gorilla in the next bedroom to mine with a Weishi and some sample blades. He went ape and immediately expressed a preference for the Red Israelis. So I ordered 50 for him! He also liked the Blue ones; but got hooked on the Reds.

 

[W_B_K]

Good question... I had a bad enough experience with it to only try 2. Both had the same result. Of course, Derbys may be great for someone else! That whole YMMV thing.

I have the blue Israelis and at about 20 blades into the 100 (picked randomly from the box) all have been the same.

 

[Rocketeer]

How reliable are these brands? This issue becomes even hairier in the case of Lord. ...

Lord makes some good blades, and some interesting cheap razors too. The Lord (aluminum) Tech can be had for around $8 and makes a good travel razor; and a super lightweight razor for backpacking!

However, Lord is also the victim of a lot of counterfeiting. (WHY someone would go to the trouble of counterfeiting blades is beyond me. I guess you've got to start somewhere before graduating to bogus Rolex watches.) Read the description for this imported razor where the vendor warns the buyer that the blade included with the razor is a COUNTERFEIT Lord blade.

That said, if you get them from a reliable source, you can get some good blades ... and some great bargains. Like 100 Platinum blades for $10!

This is why I stick with known, reputable vendors. If in doubt, buy one or two packs as a test from the same vendor prior to placing a bulk order.

And as your mother told you ... Caveat Emptor

 

[El Judio Bravo]

Good question... I had a bad enough experience with it to only try 2. Both had the same result. Of course, Derbys may be great for someone else! That whole YMMV thing.

I have the blue Israelis and at about 20 blades into the 100 (picked randomly from the box) all have been the same.

Thanks! The signs indicate consistency! And that's what I'm looking to find out here.

The blue and red IPs are popular and consistent. Which is what I'd expect from ASR. And still, I'm favoring the U.S. (I read somewhere they are generically called "Barber") Personnas. Go figure. I was figuring I'd get hung up on some "exotic" razzmatazz. Not that the jury's out ...

 

[El Judio Bravo]

However, Lord is also the victim of a lot of counterfeiting. (WHY someone would go to the trouble of counterfeiting blades is beyond me. I guess you've got to start somewhere before graduating to bogus Rolex watches.) Read the description for this imported razor where the vendor warns the buyer that the blade included with the razor is a COUNTERFEIT Lord blade.
... And as your mother told you ... Caveat Emptor

Warren, thank you! I bought my Treet Delrin from Jeeves at Shoebox. It's great that he's an honest man, I feel. Oh, and my bookmarks folder marked "Shaving" has a list long as your arm and no foolin'! These are all honest merchants, whether by my personal experience or by reputation.

This shaving geekdom is filled with interesting people and products. I am gratified to find warmth and frankness in this milieu; most helpful and it re-instills some of the faith I've lost in my my fellow human beings. This fellowship transcends national boundaries and politics. Bravo!

 

[WinstonSmith]

I'm only twenty or so blades into my vertical Derby brick, but I think the problem is definitely consistency. Some of the blades are fantastic and will go 4-5 shaves with ease. Most are decent and go about 3, and a few so far have gotten tossed after the first pass.

I bought a trial pack some months back that had the old style Derby blades and I don't remember them being nearly this variable. I won't buy more, but the ones I have will be used. Out of 50-60 Israeli reds, I've had one or two bad blades, but the consistency is still far better than Derby.

Next time I get close to running out of blades, I'm going to try a sampler of some higher tier brands.

 

[Confilo]

I don't care for the Derbys but the Bangladesh 7AM works for me albeit for 3 shaves.
Blades are an important part of the shave but a matter of personal preferences.

 

[El Judio Bravo]

I'm only twenty or so blades into my vertical Derby brick, but I think the problem is definitely consistency.

That's what I'm hearing often. And where there's smoke ... no? The sampler I got from Shoebox has a horizontal Derby 5-pack. When they eventually come up in my rotation I will pay close attention. I suspect that they may have downgraded their product and plan to live off their reputation till people finally get the word and switch in droves to a more reliable brand.

Ain't nothing wrong with spending more if you get value for your money. Even the pricey Feathers and Merkurs are cheap compared to the dough you lay out for the fancy-shmancy cartridges or even disposable shavers.

 

[El Judio Bravo]

I don't care for the Derbys but the Bangladesh 7AM works for me albeit for 3 shaves.
Blades are an important part of the shave but a matter of personal preferences.

I only got one apiece of the Bangladeshi 7 AM and the Vidyut Zorrik and Super Max from India as a lagniappe from Shoebox but I was favorably impressed by the first two. I will almost surely buy 5-packs of them when re-order time comes.

The journey continues ...