GEM blades from dispenser not good?

[Lucidor]

During my latest sejour to the US I got a 10 pack of what I believe to be PTFE coated stainless GEM blades. It was at a Wahlgreens pharmacy store. The dispenser is a really nice spring loaded job, but the blades are only so-so. Compared to my only SE blade before that, brown paper wrapped GEMs that the seller of my Pushbutton called Ted Pellas, I find the dispenser GEMs rough, not sharp and of very short longevity lasting 2-4 shaves. I think I read somewhere they are supposed to be the same blade, but that can't be it, can it?

Are these blades equal and I've just gotten unlucky or should I go hunt for Ted Pellas?

 

[ackvil]

I don't believe the GEM blades from Walgreens are PTFE coated. For me the PTFE blades from Ted Pellas or EMS differ from the Walgreens variety and are smoother.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I can't tell any difference between the GEM/Personna blades from Walgreens and the GEM/Personna blades from the medical supply sites. Lucidor, due to your location you might look at ordering some from www.connaughtshaving.com

 

[Lucidor]

Thanks, ackvil and Hoosier Trooper, for the input. I will get SE blades and some Personna Labs for Christmas.

 

[Disburden]

I picked these up at shoprite and used them, I like them better than the Pella blades that still kill my neck.

 

[Mick]

I believe that the blades at walgreens are carbon not stainless PTFE coated. The ones I got were marked with a TREET brand cardboard hanger.

 

[Lucidor]

No, mine looked like this:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c150/farrarfan1/Gems.jpg

 

[Mick]

No, mine looked like this:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c150/farrarfan1/Gems.jpg

those are non coated stainless.

The link to connaught shaving (UK) is where you will find the PTFE coated blades closest to you.

http://connaughtshaving.com/gemss.html

 

[simon1]

You may be right about bad blades. The first injector pack I got it wasn't only one blade that tugged and pulled, it was every one.

Next pack I got were just fine... but it almost put me off on injector shaving. Thank goodness I tried another pack. The Walgreen's SE blades I have gotten for my Gems were always good, but you never know.

 

[Disburden]

No, mine looked like this:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c150/farrarfan1/Gems.jpg

These are the same blades I mentioned.

 

[SafetyRZRBgnr78]

I have the same blades as pictured above and most of them are dull. To the point where in some spots their actually rounded over. I like stainless steel but I might try some carbon ones from CVS next.

 

[razorx]

those are non coated stainless.The link to connaught shaving (UK) is where you will find the PTFE coated blades closest to you.http://connaughtshaving.com/gemss.html

To be accurate that isn't correct.The GEM Personna Blades sold at Walgreens and elsewhere with a dispenser in that packaging definitely are coated and are fine blades. http://www.westcoastshaving.com/GEM...l-Single-Edge-Razor-Blades-10-pak_p_1171.html

However I agree completely re:Connaught Shaving being an outstanding source for SE blades.I ordered 200 GEM PTFE Coated Stainless Steel blades from Connaught recently.Great blades shipped to my home at a competitive price plus outstanding service.

 

[SafetyRZRBgnr78]

My GEM personna's must have been a bad batch or something because most of them are kinda dull.

 

[cpool222]

Those Walgreens blades from my Walgreens are coated and have been great. Shave exactly like the Ted Pellas to me, and I get a bunch of shaves from each one. Maybe there was a bad batch?

 

[cryhavoc]

Those Walgreens blades from my Walgreens are coated and have been great. Shave exactly like the Ted Pellas to me, and I get a bunch of shaves from each one. Maybe there was a bad batch?

+1

 

[bvance554]

I have the same blades as pictured above and most of them are dull. To the point where in some spots their actually rounded over. I like stainless steel but I might try some carbon ones from CVS next.

+1 for the CVS blades...

 

[OkieStubble]

Those Walgreens blades from my Walgreens are coated and have been great. Shave exactly like the Ted Pellas to me, and I get a bunch of shaves from each one. Maybe there was a bad batch?

From my experience, the Walgreen blades are coated. However, people who find these dull, might not realize that stainless steel just might not work for their skin. It is more of a ymmv thing than anything. I prefer the carbon blades to stainless. The stainless, even coated feel dull and rough to my face. And their longevity is only about 3 terrible shaves for me. I also am finding out this exact same thing with straights. I much prefer the edge on a straight with carbon steel as opposed to a stainless steel one, even though the stainless blade has been honed to a very sharp edge, it just isn't as smooth and enjoyable for me.

 

[auk1124]

A case of ymmv for sure. I can get 12-14 great shaves out of the Walgreens Gem blades.

 

[SafetyRZRBgnr78]

I don't see how people get 12-14 shave's from these blades. I got 2 terrible shave on the first 3 blades.

I'm gonna still use them and maybe 1 or 2 will be sharp enough to have a good shave but after that no more SS.

 

[razorx]

A case of ymmv for sure. I can get 12-14 great shaves out of the Walgreens Gem blades.

I don't see how people get 12-14 shave's from these blades. I got 2 terrible shave on the first 3 blades.

I'm gonna still use them and maybe 1 or 2 will be sharp enough to have a good shave but after that no more SS.

I get 14 shaves from GEM coated stainless steel blades,the 14th shave's not as optimal as the 1st but still quite good.I believe it's mostly about having an efficient razor.

If your razor's not efficient I wouldn't expect to get many shaves out of a blade.