In March I want to begin my research project on Chinese blades. For each brand, I will test sharpness on a BESS-certified edge-on-up PT50A, take microscopic photos after each shave of the blade edges, and test each blade in a mild, medium, aggressive, and slant razor (except no slant for the AC blades).
I need the following help:
Take a look at the picture and the list below and let me know if there are other Chinese-manufactured blades that I need to add to the research.
My own experience and the public AIs (Bard/Gemini, You, CoPilot) have suggested the following razor options to test which were most likely to be familiar with the wet shaving community. I want the results to be useful, so someone may not have the specific test razor but should be generally aware of its shaving characteristics:
Mild: EJ DE89. Merkur 34C, Rockwell 6S plate 1, Karve CB AA or A or B plates. Henson AL13
Medium: Karve CB B or C plates, Merkur 23C, Parker 26C, Muhle R89, Rockwell 6S plates 3 or 4
Aggressive: Karve CB D or E or F plates, Muhle R41, Rockwell 6S plate 6
Slant: Merkur 37C, iKon X3, ATT S1
Are there any other DEs that should fit into the category of commonly understood mild, medium, aggressive, slant razors such that if you found an evaluation of a blade in that razor you could map the results to your razors?
For the AC blades, I am looking for input. I have at my disposal:
Once I have gotten your feedback on what razors should be used in the evaluation, I will put out a poll to help select which razors I will use.
Finally, I am looking for volunteers to help as the project is too big for just one person, plus I cannot replicate all the beard, razor, and skin conditions out there. I will send each selected volunteer 5 blades or one brand. I am asking the volunteers to use four of their razors and shave four times with a blade in that razor. You can volunteer for more than one brand evaluation. Selection will be optimized around the broadest selection of razors, the least number of volunteers to track, and my supply of blades (I generally have 30 to 50 of each brand).
You can use your regimen. I will be doing two 3-pass full monty shaves (shower, hot water, oil, full lather, etc.) and two 2-pass quick shaves (cold water, pre-shave gel, non-lather cream like Lucky Tiger, Grooming Lounge, Razor MD) with each of the 4 razors.
I will provide an evaluation template so you can report consistently and I can load my database.
If you are interested, please comment here and list the 4 razors you would be using (DEs only, I just have the two packs of the AC blades in the picture).
Thanks so much in advance for your help.
Current Test Blades:
I need the following help:
Take a look at the picture and the list below and let me know if there are other Chinese-manufactured blades that I need to add to the research.
My own experience and the public AIs (Bard/Gemini, You, CoPilot) have suggested the following razor options to test which were most likely to be familiar with the wet shaving community. I want the results to be useful, so someone may not have the specific test razor but should be generally aware of its shaving characteristics:
Mild: EJ DE89. Merkur 34C, Rockwell 6S plate 1, Karve CB AA or A or B plates. Henson AL13
Medium: Karve CB B or C plates, Merkur 23C, Parker 26C, Muhle R89, Rockwell 6S plates 3 or 4
Aggressive: Karve CB D or E or F plates, Muhle R41, Rockwell 6S plate 6
Slant: Merkur 37C, iKon X3, ATT S1
Are there any other DEs that should fit into the category of commonly understood mild, medium, aggressive, slant razors such that if you found an evaluation of a blade in that razor you could map the results to your razors?
For the AC blades, I am looking for input. I have at my disposal:
- Alpha Claymore
- Asylum Rx-V2
- Blackland Vector
- Mongoose
- RR Hawk V2
- Shield Avenger
- Shield AC SE
- Stando Jaga
- Stando Rod
- Yaqi Remus
- Yaqi Romulus
- Yaqi Excaliber
- DSCosmetic Legend
Once I have gotten your feedback on what razors should be used in the evaluation, I will put out a poll to help select which razors I will use.
Finally, I am looking for volunteers to help as the project is too big for just one person, plus I cannot replicate all the beard, razor, and skin conditions out there. I will send each selected volunteer 5 blades or one brand. I am asking the volunteers to use four of their razors and shave four times with a blade in that razor. You can volunteer for more than one brand evaluation. Selection will be optimized around the broadest selection of razors, the least number of volunteers to track, and my supply of blades (I generally have 30 to 50 of each brand).
You can use your regimen. I will be doing two 3-pass full monty shaves (shower, hot water, oil, full lather, etc.) and two 2-pass quick shaves (cold water, pre-shave gel, non-lather cream like Lucky Tiger, Grooming Lounge, Razor MD) with each of the 4 razors.
I will provide an evaluation template so you can report consistently and I can load my database.
If you are interested, please comment here and list the 4 razors you would be using (DEs only, I just have the two packs of the AC blades in the picture).
Thanks so much in advance for your help.
Current Test Blades:
Manufacturer | Name |
New Gain Industrial LTD | WMARK Stainless Steel |
Jiangxi Huyidao Industrial Co., Ltd | PearlMax Platinum Stainless Steel |
Jiangxi Xirui Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | FlyDear Super Platinum |
Yi Wu Baolai Razor Co., Ltd | Jifuli Platinum Edge |
Ming Shi | Ming Shi |
Yi Wu Baolai Razor Co., Ltd | RZR Iguetta Blue/Jifliio |
Ningbo Haward Razor Co., Ltd. | Haward Stainless |
Yi Wu Baolai Razor Co., Ltd | RZR Iguetta Platinum Edge |
Unknown | RhinoSwiss Stainless |
Xirui Manufacturing, Jiangxi Xirui Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Matgicol Super Stainless |
Xirui Manufacturing, Jiangxi Xirui Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Matgicol Swedish Quality |
Zhangjiagang Zhongbao Blade Manufacture Co., Ltd | Suneko / Suneco “My Way” Double Edge Razor Blade |
Bailli Shaving Products Co., Ltd. | Baili Super Blue |
Weishi | Yintal Stock Blades |
Weishi | Weishi Extra Stainless |
Vikings Blade (brand, mfg unknown) | Viking Hot |
Gillette (brand, mfg unknown) | King C. Gillette |
Shanghai Cloud Blade Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Cloud Stainless Steel Red |
Guangdong Jinda Hardware Products CO., LTD. | Rimei Super Stainless |
Unknown | Colorlamb |
Foshan Yingjili Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd. | YingJili Stainless Blue |
Foshan Yingjili Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd. | YingJili Stainless Red |
Shanghai Cloud Blade Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Cloud Stainless Steel Blue |
Bailli Shaving Products Co., Ltd. | Baili Super Stainless Gree |
Bailli Shaving Products Co., Ltd. | Baili Blue Platinum |
Bailli Shaving Products Co., Ltd. | Baili Green Platinum |
Bailli Shaving Products Co., Ltd. | Baili Super Blue Platinum |
Bailli Shaving Products Co., Ltd. | Baili Super Orange |
Carlife-Razor (both USA & China) | Apache Double Edge Safety Razor Blade |