Glue on Astra SP

[steven1979]

So I'm trying to go through the Astras in my sample pack from Fendrihan, and have not been having a good time of it. They don't feel as smooth as other blades I've tried. I have also noticed that on some of the blades the dot of glue is more like a blotch and I've had to discard a few blades after opening them because the glue dot goes right to the blade edge.

Has anyone else had this experience with Astra SPs?

 

[HoosierTrooper]

If you search the Safety Razor Blades forum you will find numerous discussions about glue spots on Astras and other brands.

 

[Saltchuck]

So I'm trying to go through the Astras in my sample pack from Fendrihan, and have not been having a good time of it. They don't feel as smooth as other blades I've tried. I have also noticed that on some of the blades the dot of glue is more like a blotch and I've had to discard a few blades after opening them because the glue dot goes right to the blade edge.

Has anyone else had this experience with Astra SPs?

Others have pointed out that it's not glue; it's wax. Holding the blade under hot running water seems to get rid of most of it.

Astras feel smoother to me than most other blades. Another case of YMMV.

 

[Pkrankow]

I loaded a Lord today, and was surprised by the glue. There were 2 BB sized blobs. Is wiping the blade after the hot water required? Is wiping the blade a good or bad idea? Some of the glue washed off, but not the heavy globs.

Phil

 

[RichGem]

It seems that most, if not all, of the Russian-made blades have this "feature." It doesn't bother me one way or the other. But, as others have pointed out, it's wax and not glue, and some hot water usually does the trick. Alternatively, you can be brave, live dangerously and use an SE or injector blade to scrape it off.

 

[Charles Darwin]

You threw out a blade because of a little spot of glue/wax? Seems like kind of a waste.

I've gone through a five-pack of Astras from Fenrihan as part of a sample pack (still have 5 left to use). Every single blade had that same couiple of blobs of yellow whatever on it.

Bothered me for about three seconds, tried to scrape it off with a fingernail, and then put the thing in my razor and had a great shave. Didn't even notice them. I wouldn't worry so much.

 

[canuckerr]

^ do you have to scrape off the wax?
or can you just shave with it.

i just got my sample pack from Jeremy and astra's came with it.

 

[seabs]

I never bother scraping the wax off. It doesn't seem to affect the shave at all.

 

[Saltchuck]

I never bother scraping the wax off. It doesn't seem to affect the shave at all.

I've had blades from St. Petersburg stick to the top plate of a Tech when I was changing out the blade. I scrubbed the razor with a toothbrush and hot water. No big deal. I started rinsing the blades under hot water before using, and haven't had any more trouble with the wax.

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

I never bother scraping the wax off. It doesn't seem to affect the shave at all.

Same here

 

[Drewser]

When just starting out I used to try to remove the wax- mostly for aesthetic reasons, but decided that fiddling with an exposed DE blade was a bad idea. Now I don't do anything with the wax (I use Feathers, which also have the wax) and don't notice any difference in the shave. In fact, on the razors I have (Merkur slant and straight bar, '55 Tech, '49 SS), the wax is not located where the head contacts the blade to enforce the proper curve, so it shouldn't make a difference anyway.

 

[Pebcak]

Same here

Likewise. And seeing as it's just wax and if it's really bothering you all you have to do is carefully hold the blade under some running hot water and the problem will disappear.

 

[james7604]

If I'm sticking a blade with the wax/glue blobs into a three piece razor like the Tech it just goes straight in. If I'm putting it into a TTO, then I wash the stuff off under hot running water. I only do this as I once had it stick pretty strongly to the TTO doors on a slim and make it difficult to open. Thought it probably best not to put to much undue strain on them. Of course I could always put the blade in so the blobs were facing down.

 

[Patrik]

I never bother scraping the wax off. It doesn't seem to affect the shave at all.

+3

I was a bit skeptical the first time I encountered excessive wax that seemed to be running over the edge, but it really makes no difference.

I wasn't fond of Astra SPs until recently - probably because my prep and technique improved dramatically during the months I wasn't using them. Now they rank among my top five blades.

 

[Charles Darwin]

I have not tried scraping the wax off since my first shave with them.

Never noticed a difference, and got a pretty decent shave with them.

 

[BladeDE40]

i never bother scraping the wax off. It doesn't seem to affect the shave at all.

+1....

 

[Saltchuck]

Never noticed a difference, and got a pretty decent shave with them.

I don't know about you, but your avatar needs a shave!

 

[kwsher]

+3

I was a bit skeptical the first time I encountered excessive wax that seemed to be running over the edge, but it really makes no difference.

+4 here... I did develop the habit of putting wax side down in the razor for some reason. Just a habit that stuck but the wax has never impacted a shave and Astra is my current favorite blade.

 

[tpoof]

those are some of my favorite blades..
and when I seen the glue/wax/whatever I wondered about it for a second
then chucked it in the razor and had a great shave..
I no longer wonder about the glue/wax/whatever..
doesn't seem to affect the shave at all IMO..
of course as always.. YMMV.

 

[Charles Darwin]

I don't know about you, but your avatar needs a shave!

WHAT avatar?