Horrible Astra SS

[Mark1977]

Hi Guys

Recently purchased a tuck of Astra SS (Blue). The Superior Platinum is one of my favorite blades. But this stainless one feels just horrible. Lots of tugging, very rough on the skin etc. It barely cuts any hairs on my face. 3-4 strokes and I swapped it out for an Astra SP and it was like comparing day from night.
Now this one is made in Czech Republic and comes in a plastic. I thought all Astra blades are from Russia and packed in cardboard. So I was interested in trying these out. I must say, it's one of the worst blades I've ever used , along with Tiger which also comes from Czech Republic.
Does anyone else have any experience with these? Could it be that I ended up with a bad batch? I can't imagine a bad batch being as horrific as this. I'm afraid of loading another of these to be honest.

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[Chard52142]

Hmmmm...none of my Astra SS have that "Made in the Czech Republic" The blade wrapper is strange too...

 

[Mark1977]

Hmmmm...none of my Astra SS have that "Made in the Czech Republic" The blade wrapper is strange too...

Yeah. Bought it out of curiosity. As I've never come across these blades before.

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[Atlantic59]

Astra was an old Czech brand at one time, before production went to Russia. I wonder if the blades you got are just really old stock?

 

[FarmerTan]

Man! That really stinks! I LOVE Astra SS, prefer them to the SP, by a wide margin. You must have an extremely bad batch, or they are misleading on purpose. Russian made ones are top teir blades, for MANY people, not just me. So sorry my friend!

 

[Mark1977]

Astra blades are recommend especially for those starting out. Imagine them starting out with this blade. They would go back to cartridges immediately. I know I would.

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[FarmerTan]

Astra was an old Czech brand at one time, before production went to Russia. I wonder if the blades you got are just really old stock?

Very good explanation!

 

[Mark1977]

Astra was an old Czech brand at one time, before production went to Russia. I wonder if the blades you got are just really old stock?

Its possible that they're really old.

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[Mark1977]

Man! That really stinks! I LOVE Astra SS, prefer them to the SP, by a wide margin. You must have an extremely bad batch, or they are misleading on purpose. Russian made ones are top teir blades, for MANY people, not just me. So sorry my friend!

I agree, the Russian ones are fantastic. These could be a knock off or just really old blades.

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[Invicta]

Does anyone else have any experience with these?

The Astra SS are made in St Petersburg are are very similar to the Superior Platinum. What you have are very old stock.

 

[Mark1977]

The Astra SS are made in St Petersburg are are very similar to the Superior Platinum. What you have are very old stock.

I believe so mate

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[Slanterino]

Those are fake astra. Very common in asia. I can buy it here but no thanks.

 

[ivan_101]

Hi Guys

Recently purchased a tuck of Astra SS (Blue). The Superior Platinum is one of my favorite blades. But this stainless one feels just horrible. Lots of tugging, very rough on the skin etc. It barely cuts any hairs on my face. 3-4 strokes and I swapped it out for an Astra SP and it was like comparing day from night.
Now this one is made in Czech Republic and comes in a plastic. I thought all Astra blades are from Russia and packed in cardboard. So I was interested in trying these out. I must say, it's one of the worst blades I've ever used , along with Tiger which also comes from Czech Republic.
Does anyone else have any experience with these? Could it be that I ended up with a bad batch? I can't imagine a bad batch being as horrific as this. I'm afraid of loading another of these to be honest.

Sent from my CPH1969 using Tapatalk

They could indeed be fakes. I have Czech Astra SS in the plastic dispenser and they are decent blades. Your dispenser looks different. Mine is yellowish plastic. Also the wrapper doesn't look like the original paper and printing.

 

[TheBigL]

I also have vintage Czechoslovakian made Astra SS which are really good. My plastic dispensers are yellowed but also the card in your tuck looks modern compared to what I have.

 

[ouchyfoot]

I also have vintage Czechoslovakian made Astra SS which are really good. My plastic dispensers are yellowed but also the card in your tuck looks modern compared to what I have.

Yours say made in Czechoslovakia, whereas the blades @Mark1977 has say “Made in Czech Republic”.

 

[TheBigL]

Yours say made in Czechoslovakia, whereas the blades Mark1977 has say “Made in Czech Republic”.

I've never seen @Mark1977 Astra "Czech" blades with what looks like a modern Astra label.

 

[BigJ]

Those are fake astra. Very common in asia. I can buy it here but no thanks.

Good explanation!! For me Astras are great, although I prefer the SP to the SS.

 

[fast shaver]

They could be really old stock or possibly Fake blades IMO.

 

[Lather and Razors]

Astra's was originally made in Czech Rep in the past.

 

[Timeclo]

Same experience here. Astra SP is one of my favorite blades. Very smooth and comfortable.

When I went for a BBS shave with a Astra SS, I got one of the worst irritations. Not sure why but I'm not a fan of the SS.