I purchased a 9 pack sampler pack and also added in a 5 blade sampler of Feather blades, making for a total of 10 different blades. I began my safety razor journey back in May of 2020 and have shaved with each blade 5 times each since then for a total of 50 shaves from the sampler pack. I shaved with each of the following in this order: Astra Superior Platinum, Shark Super Stainless, Astra Superior Stainless, Voskhod, Bolzano Superinox, Shark Super Chrome, Derby Extra, Derby Premium, Treet Falcon, Feather. I use a Muhle R89 as my safety razor. Although the length of time from shaves have been as little as 1 day to as long as 8 weeks, I typically shaved about once every 4 days on average if I had to make my best estimate.
Below are where I rank each blade after 5 uses from 1 blade from each brand.
#1. Derby Premium
#2. Voskhod
#3. Shark Super Stainless
#4. Bolzano
#5. Feather
#6.Derby Extra
#7. Shark Super Chrome
#8. Falcon
#9. Astra Superior Stainless
#10. Astra Superior Platinum
I had a difficult time deciding between the top two, but I gave the edge to Derby Premium. Derby Premium was the blade I used to shave off my 8 week beard. Although I got some cuts from the first shave, mainly because of how much hair there was, the rest of the four shaves I had absolutely no nicks, cuts, or irritation at all and had a very smooth and amazing shave with each shave. Voskhod blades were also very enjoyable as well, and I found it interesting that with each pass it seemed to do a better job of taking off the facial hair. I also thought Shark Super Stainless blades were nice as well and I would consider buying these in the future.
Outside of the top 3, it got a lot more difficult to rank the rest of the blades. I have to say that I was most disapointed with the Feather blade, as I have heard so much about the blade and I even went out of my way to purchase the 5 blade pack seperately to add to the sampler pack just because of how it is usually praised as the sharpest and arguably the best blade out there. While the shaves were not necessarily bad, I didn't have that amazing sensation like a lot of people claim to have had with it. I was nicked on almost every shave I had, and it did not feel very smooth on my face at all.
By far the worst blades were the Astra brands. For the Superior Platinum in general, I broke out in acne every time I used it. I am wondering why this is. While I was on an 8 week beard growth, I used it a few times to trim the neck and cheek line, and once again I broke out in acne using it. I don't know what material is used on the blade, but something about the blade in general does not cooperate well with my face at all.
These rankings are not set in stone, and I will continue to use the blades until I am all out. But as of now, Derby Premium, Voskhod, and Shark Super Stainless have been my 3 favorites so far and might buy the 100 packs of them once I am all out of blades from my sampler.
These results may be surprising, but I think this goes to show that every face is different, and while one blade may work well for someone, it can be the worst blade for someone else.
Below are where I rank each blade after 5 uses from 1 blade from each brand.
#1. Derby Premium
#2. Voskhod
#3. Shark Super Stainless
#4. Bolzano
#5. Feather
#6.Derby Extra
#7. Shark Super Chrome
#8. Falcon
#9. Astra Superior Stainless
#10. Astra Superior Platinum
I had a difficult time deciding between the top two, but I gave the edge to Derby Premium. Derby Premium was the blade I used to shave off my 8 week beard. Although I got some cuts from the first shave, mainly because of how much hair there was, the rest of the four shaves I had absolutely no nicks, cuts, or irritation at all and had a very smooth and amazing shave with each shave. Voskhod blades were also very enjoyable as well, and I found it interesting that with each pass it seemed to do a better job of taking off the facial hair. I also thought Shark Super Stainless blades were nice as well and I would consider buying these in the future.
Outside of the top 3, it got a lot more difficult to rank the rest of the blades. I have to say that I was most disapointed with the Feather blade, as I have heard so much about the blade and I even went out of my way to purchase the 5 blade pack seperately to add to the sampler pack just because of how it is usually praised as the sharpest and arguably the best blade out there. While the shaves were not necessarily bad, I didn't have that amazing sensation like a lot of people claim to have had with it. I was nicked on almost every shave I had, and it did not feel very smooth on my face at all.
By far the worst blades were the Astra brands. For the Superior Platinum in general, I broke out in acne every time I used it. I am wondering why this is. While I was on an 8 week beard growth, I used it a few times to trim the neck and cheek line, and once again I broke out in acne using it. I don't know what material is used on the blade, but something about the blade in general does not cooperate well with my face at all.
These rankings are not set in stone, and I will continue to use the blades until I am all out. But as of now, Derby Premium, Voskhod, and Shark Super Stainless have been my 3 favorites so far and might buy the 100 packs of them once I am all out of blades from my sampler.
These results may be surprising, but I think this goes to show that every face is different, and while one blade may work well for someone, it can be the worst blade for someone else.