Injector blade ratings poll

[siouxsie]

I've concluded that the injector is a superior shaving system to the DE. They're not as fun to collect due to materials and craftsmanship but they are better shavers and have a much easier learning curve.

I'm going to put up a poll of new and NOS blades and would love it if people could pick their favorites. There isn't much info as far as blade reviews so I thought this might help a little and I'm too lazy to post reviews for all the different blades I have hoarded.

The first three Schick variants China/Germany/USA refers to where they were manufactured, not sold.

 

[siouxsie]

There could be a maximum number in the poll so I've added some more here in text form. Just indicate your preference for these in comment form.

1 - NOS Personna 74 Super Platinum Chrome Tungsten (these are different from the plain tungsten, comes in black plastic dispenser.)

2 - NOS PAL carbon

3 - NOS Schick Custom Gold Steel

4 - NOS Schick Ultra Platinum Swedish

5 - NOS Schick Platinum Dutch

Twin blades

6 - NOS Gillette Twinjector

7 - NOS Schick Injector II US

8 - NOS Personna II

 

[LinuxMintyFresh]

Thanks for setting this up. I too would like to see which people like best.

 

[siouxsie]

No problem. I've been wanting opinions for a long time and any info on injector blades is so scattered, scarce and hard to find/compare.

 

[Rufust445]

You could have listed the Meijer injector blade, which I have, but they may be discontinued.

In any case, they come under the "or equivalent" after the CVS, as do the EMS and Ted Pellas.

The injector with its compact head is a fun change of pace, even with a blade like the Personna. I'll use up what Meijer/ASR blades I have, but the Schick alternatives cost at least twice as much, and four times the Treet DuraSharp Classic that I got such a nice shave with today in a Gillette adjustable.

 

[REALTORE!!!]

Im very fond of the new chinese schicks.

 

[Rufust445]

There could be a maximum number in the poll so I've added some more here in text form. Just indicate your preference for these in comment form.
...

6 - NOS Gillette Twinjector

7 - NOS Schick Injector II US

8 - NOS Personna II

The injector razor that I use is a Hydromagic.

I have some Gillette Twinjector blades that I bought to try, but the packaging card comes with a warning not to use them in a razor with a rinsing lever. Do you know why?

My razor came loaded with a twinjector-type blade, not sure which brand. I was able to coax it out of the razor with some effort before cleaning the razor and buying a 15-pack of Meijer/ASR blades.

 

[bald1]

CVS I assume are the American Safety Razor (ASR) Company Personna blades sold under so many rebranded labels.

I'm awaiting delivery of some NOS Schick Platinum Plus and will re-experience them before voting.

I've been using an injector since the late '50s - early '60s and the Personnas for well over a decade simply because decent Schicks were impossible to obtain. The Platinum Plus, if memory serves, were outstanding.... the best Schick ever made. My experience with the newer Schicks from Amazon is almost 2 years old (probably the German made flavor) and was not satisfactory. May have been a bad lot but I didn't go back to try again when I could get 11 blade packs of AAFES Personna Platinum Chrome blades for $1.79. They've gone up now to $2.59 but still a lot cheaper than the Schick 7 pack from Amazon. And they're really not all that bad. Nothing like the stuff on the market during the heyday of the injector, but still....

 

[siouxsie]

You could have listed the Meijer injector blade, which I have, but they may be discontinued.

In any case, they come under the "or equivalent" after the CVS, as do the EMS and Ted Pellas.

The injector with its compact head is a fun change of pace, even with a blade like the Personna. I'll use up what Meijer/ASR blades I have, but the Schick alternatives cost at least twice as much, and four times the Treet DuraSharp Classic that I got such a nice shave with today in a Gillette adjustable.

IMO, the cost comparison between injector blades and DE blades is not appropriate, as injector blades (the good ones) tend to last longer. And EMS/Ted Pella are not the same as the Personna blades as far as I know. But I find out every day I don't know that much ! EDIT: A member says they are they same. I assumed they were made by the same company (ASR) to different specs and coatings but with the same dispenser. If not, why do people get them from EMS/Reddragon/Ted Pella and not just at whatever local drugstore carries the store branded blades?

 

[siouxsie]

The injector razor that I use is a Hydromagic.

I have some Gillette Twinjector blades that I bought to try, but the packaging card comes with a warning not to use them in a razor with a rinsing lever. Do you know why?

My razor came loaded with a twinjector-type blade, not sure which brand. I was able to coax it out of the razor with some effort before cleaning the razor and buying a 15-pack of Meijer/ASR blades.

Yeah, twin blades won't fit and if you do manage to jam one in it will take quite an effort to get it out. So please do yourself a favor not to ruin the hydro as you know they are lovely shavers. If you want to try out twin blades you need an injector razor made post 1963. L-types will work just fine. And adjustables M types. I also got one in my short box handle I type no problem.

 

[siouxsie]

CVS I assume are the American Safety Razor (ASR) Company Personna blades sold under so many rebranded labels.

I'm awaiting delivery of some NOS Schick Platinum Plus and will re-experience them before voting.

I've been using an injector since the late '50s - early '60s and the Personnas for well over a decade simply because decent Schicks were impossible to obtain. The Platinum Plus, if memory serves, were outstanding.... the best Schick ever made. My experience with the newer Schicks from Amazon is almost 2 years old (probably the German made flavor) and was not satisfactory. May have been a bad lot but I didn't go back to try again when I could get 11 blade packs of AAFES Personna Platinum Chrome blades for $1.79. They've gone up now to $2.59 but still a lot cheaper than the Schick 7 pack from Amazon. And they're really not all that bad. Nothing like the stuff on the market during the heyday of the injector, but still....

Your experiences are in line with what alot of posters say and I thank you for the input. I always wondered why the Platinum plus get bid so high on ebay and now I know why. I have some but they're months away in the rotation so I'll be waiting to spend the high dollars until I'm sure I like them. People do seem to find the German Schicks unsatisfactory compared to prior US made ones and the current stock of Chinese Schicks. I am really curious about people's opinion about the old NOS Schick Krona blades.

 

[bald1]

Your experiences are in line with what alot of posters say and I thank you for the input. I always wondered why the Platinum plus get bid so high on ebay and now I know why. I have some but they're months away in the rotation so I'll be waiting to spend the high dollars until I'm sure I like them. People do seem to find the German Schicks unsatisfactory compared to prior US made ones and the current stock of Chinese Schicks. I am really curious about people's opinion about the old NOS Schick Krona blades.

The old Krona predated the Chrome and Platinum series with each upping the ante in performance and edge holding. Unfortunately there is only an on line reference time line for Schick injector razors but none for injector blades. The pinnacle would argueably be represented by the Schick Platinum Plus, Personna 74s, and possibly the Gillette Platinum Plus "Spoilers." There may another one or two as well, specifically European only brands. I always preferred the Schicks but I'm sure others might have queued up for one of the other brand's best of the breed blades.

EMS/Ted Pella are not the same as the Personna blades as far as I know.

I think you're going to find that these are indeed all made by ASR and are in fact the same.

 

[siouxsie]

Has anybody ever used the Schick Platinum Dutch and/or the Swedish Ultra Platinum? I've got loads but haven't tried them out yet. How were they?

 

[Stubblefield]

I really hesitate to post this, because as Cooncat Bob said: "every time someone farts here prices go up." Or something to that effect.

The best blade in the list is the Schick Plus Platinum NOS. It is the smoothest for sure--far better than the Gillette, and lasts about the same. And, you can still find them on eBay. The Chromiums are not a smooth.

Technically, the Personna 74 will last longer, but they are a rip-off right now.

 

[mmack66]

The injector razor that I use is a Hydromagic.

I have some Gillette Twinjector blades that I bought to try, but the packaging card comes with a warning not to use them in a razor with a rinsing lever. Do you know why?

There is something that keeps a regular injector blade secured in the razor while the lever is open for rinsing. Perhaps that feature doesn't work with the twin injector blades and they wanted to avoid folks having to mess around with loose blades.

 

[bald1]

Ah yesssssssssss. I've re-experienced the Schick Platinum Plus Teflon coated and indeed it is everything I remember. Accordingly my vote has now been cast

 

[siouxsie]

Ah yesssssssssss. I've re-experienced the Schick Platinum Plus Teflon coated and indeed it is everything I remember. Accordingly my vote has now been cast

I'm glad you're happy. I picked some up from the same seller. Should be in my hands early next week. The seller is good guy, I had dealt with him before this.

Best~

 

[bald1]

I'm glad you're happy. I picked some up from the same seller. Should be in my hands early next week. The seller is good guy, I had dealt with him before this.

Best~

Scott,

Indeed, Dave is one of the good guys to deal with

 

[hypo_style]

Has anyone tried NOS PAL SS blades? Or older NOS blades from Schick?

I'm reluctant to try anything made prior to the advent of stainless blades, but I'm curious if any of these have their adherents on B&B!

 

[Sledgehammer39]

I really like the Schick II Twin Blades myself. Loaded in a L injector I get a really great shave. However, for current production I enjoy the CVS blade (I use the Rite-Aid Blade) samething. I load this blade into an E type and I can get 6-7 shaves out of it.