Do you find that different batches of blades differ?

[tomcj2]

When I used cartridges I felt that the blades were best when the new razor model was first introduced. It was often possible to buy the newest razor handle with two blades for far less than just the 2 blades for "last years" model, and the blades were far better in my opinion; the handles could just be thrown out.

My question is:
I really like BrandX. Should I buy several hundred today in case they change tomorrow?
My concern is:
Will blades deteriorate over time because of storage in not perfect (Smithsonian Museum grade) conditions?

Your comments will be appreciated.

 

[mblakele]

The default answer is to buy them now. Folks still buy and use blades that were made decades ago. As long as they are stainless steel and kept in a reasonably dry environment they should be fine.

But may one ask if you have enough experience to know that BrandX is the best for you? I can use several different brands of blade with acceptable results, so I do not worry much about finding the perfect blade. You might have more exacting standards, but if you have only been using DE blades for three months it might be too early to decide on a brand for the next several years.

Past that, buying several hundred today might turn out to be a good idea, or maybe not. Blade makers do their best to ensure a consistent, standard product but even so they make changes all the time, both between batches and within batches. The odds of getting similar blades should be better if you buy them together or in close proximity, but there are no guarantees. The steel, coatings, sharpening, processing, QC, etc all contribute to small variations.

 

[smalltank]

thats a bit complicated of a question...millions of straight razors were made..almost EVERY company used different steel and from different countries in some areas of the world..then it comes down to grind types...I read a really old article..cant find it anywhere...a few pages of it were scanned in...the article was made in the 1800's and talked about the proper ground type of straight razor for your beard type...

 

[talibeard]

In theory no two things are exactly the same so even blades from the same batch have differences. Most differences will be too small to notice but it happens to everybody using the same blade long enough; you are used to getting 3 shaves out of a blade and then you load one that lasts 5 or more. Or just 2 for that matter.

I am a fan of Lord SS blades and bought a lot of them from at least 4 different batches; the differences are noticeable and I have my preferences but they are not very far apart as the basic characteristics of the blade remained the same in the different batches.

If you want to play safe and you can afford it there is no reason to stock up big if you want; when stored dry enough even carbon steel blades will survive for decades. It could be though that you discover BrandY two months from now and you find out you like it better (and that happened to me after 23 years of DE shaving and trying out probably 100 different blades...) so...It is up to you!