Iridium Replacement

[Ski-Patroller]

I'm still looking for blade to replace the Super Iridiums.

My go-to blades are the Feather and Super Iridium, so I am looking for a second blade to replace the SI. I think my first criteria is sharpness. So far I have not found anything except a Feather which seemed to be as sharp as the SI. These two are the ones that feel like there is no blade in the razor when I shave. I generally do 3 passes and use a Futur @3, Progress @3 or Feather AS razor. I very seldom get nicks or weepers and I come out with a BBS result (DFS in the Feather AS).

I went through a large sampler a while ago, and settled on these two blades. Now looking for a SI replacement, I am re-visiting some of those sampler blades again, as well as others that have been highly recommended recently. So far in my quest, I have tried Blue Birds, Timors and Astras. While all of these are good, they are not the equal of a Super Iridium or Feather.

Other than a Feather, what blade do you think is the sharpest? Do you like it? Is it as smooth as a Feather or SI?

I might do a poll if I can narrow it down to twelve blades.

 

[pelotonjon]

It's hard for me to discern a difference between the Super Iridium and Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharpedge (yellow pack).

 

[Gophred]

It's hard for me to discern a difference between the Super Iridium and Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharpedge (yellow pack).

+1
-Fritz

 

[JeffM]

7 O'clock yellow receives lots of love and I agree!

 

[Ski-Patroller]

7 O'clock yellow receives lots of love and I agree!

I was not impressed the first time I tried them, but I'll go back and try them again.

Thanks

 

[BladeDE40]

SI are my go to's....I found Gillette Blacks to be close, not as sharp, but pretty smooth. I just stocked up on enough SI's to last a couple years so hopefully I won't have to switch anytime soon.

 

[Chester]

Two suggestions:

1) Gillette Bleue Extra
2) Souplex

... and after those, you might want to try Bolzanos and Perma-Sharps.

I just love the Treet classic silver edge blades, too. Got two of those in the traveling blade box, and they were fantastic. Opened my mind to Treet blades, for sure, but I'm having a hard time finding the ones I tried.

Sharks, imho, are under-rated as a sharp blade. They're cheap, so there's little cost to try them.

Hope it helps,
-- Chet

 

[Obi Wan]

1. NOS Gillette Bleue Extra
2. Gillette 7 o'clock SharpEdge 'Yellows'
3. Gillette Super Thin Platinum

Chester try having a look for 'Trig Silver Edge blades' ? they are made by Treet.

 

[Xman74]

To be honest, IMHO there is no equal in terms of the sharpness / smoothness of the SI. It just doesn't exist.

Gillette Yellows and Astras are both manufactured in the same plant in St. Petersburg where the SIs were (are?) and come closest to in terms of smoothness, but for whatever reason do not match the SI's sharpness.

I too, am a (saddened) member of the Legion of SI lovers and have resigned myself to a rotation between Feathers (for sharpness) and Astras )for that Russian smoothness).

Who knows, maybe Santa will answer my letters and bring back the SI for Christmas?

 

[Ski-Patroller]

Two suggestions:

1) Gillette Bleue Extra
2) Souplex

... and after those, you might want to try Bolzanos and Perma-Sharps.

I just love the Treet classic silver edge blades, too. Got two of those in the traveling blade box, and they were fantastic. Opened my mind to Treet blades, for sure, but I'm having a hard time finding the ones I tried.

Sharks, imho, are under-rated as a sharp blade. They're cheap, so there's little cost to try them.

Hope it helps,
-- Chet

Do you think Souplex are sharper than Timor??
I'll revisit Sharks. Not too impressed the first time.

 

[wulfgar1976]

1. NOS Gillette Bleue Extra
2. Gillette 7 o'clock SharpEdge 'Yellows'
3. Gillette Super Thin Platinum

I agree and would also add Gillette Platinums to the list.

 

[raisindot]

Gillette Bleues are my "second" blade after SIs. They're the only ones that even come close to approximating the SI's ideal "shape/non-lacerating" qualities.

Fortunately, I still have around 300 SIs left, which will last me for awhile...

Jeff in Boston

 

[SUNA]

Gillette Bleue Extra NOS. They are second to Feather...but way ahead of everything else.

 

[Chester]

Do you think Souplex are sharper than Timor?? I'll revisit Sharks. Not too impressed the first time.

Hmmm. Sharks didn't work for you, eh? Oh well.
In my experience, Souplex is sharper than Timor.
I can PIF you a few of 'em, if you want. PM me if you're interested.
-- Chet

 

[Ski-Patroller]

As an experiment today, I shaved 1/2 my face with a Timor (3rd use) and the other 1/2 with a Super Iridium (6th use). SI was in a Futur and Timor in a Progress. No Contest!! The SI was noticeably sharper. Timor was OK but definetly not as sharp. 3 passes, BBS with both razors.

Previously they were in the opposite razors and I had the same impression, but I had not done both at the same time. So this was a real side by side test. FWIW I think the Futur and Progress shave about the same near the #3 setting, using the same blade in each.

 

[john parker]

To be honest, IMHO there is no equal in terms of the sharpness / smoothness of the SI. It just doesn't exist.

Gillette Yellows and Astras are both manufactured in the same plant in St. Petersburg where the SIs were (are?) and come closest to in terms of smoothness, but for whatever reason do not match the SI's sharpness.

I too, am a (saddened) member of the Legion of SI lovers and have resigned myself to a rotation between Feathers (for sharpness) and Astras )for that Russian smoothness).

Who knows, maybe Santa will answer my letters and bring back the SI for Christmas?

Agree! The Super Iridium shaves smoother longer than the Gillette Yellows. I pm'ed a member in Russia and one in Helsinki to see if they knew anything about what is happening with Super Iridiums. Haven't heard a thing from either. I really feel it is strange that none of us, apparently including the vendors here, have heard anything about the status of the Iridiums.

 

[SkipH]

Although I have only used a small sampling of SI's, I like the Med Prep Personna as well or better.

 

[California Cajun]

I'm still looking for blade to replace the Super Iridiums.

My go-to blades are the Feather and Super Iridium, so I am looking for a second blade to replace the SI. I think my first criteria is sharpness. So far I have not found anything except a Feather which seemed to be as sharp as the SI. These two are the ones that feel like there is no blade in the razor when I shave. I generally do 3 passes and use a Futur @3, Progress @3 or Feather AS razor. I very seldom get nicks or weepers and I come out with a BBS result (DFS in the Feather AS).

I went through a large sampler a while ago, and settled on these two blades. Now looking for a SI replacement, I am re-visiting some of those sampler blades again, as well as others that have been highly recommended recently. So far in my quest, I have tried Blue Birds, Timors and Astras. While all of these are good, they are not the equal of a Super Iridium or Feather.

Other than a Feather, what blade do you think is the sharpest? Do you like it? Is it as smooth as a Feather or SI?

I might do a poll if I can narrow it down to twelve blades.

I have never used a Feather or Iridium, but I just can't say enough about Personna Prep (medical grade) Blades used in hospitals. Never had a bad one. One of our members, Pelicano, enclosed a few of these with a razor I purchased from him and I've never looked back. I have faith in the fact that each and every blade is going to be like the last one. Over the past several months I've read posts complaining about consistency with their brand.

 

[TiberiuR]

SI are great! I have stocked heavily on them half a year ago!
I have tried many blades, and I would point out the Permasharps as a SI replacement. Not Gillette Permasharps, but the Turkish Permasharps!!
They are great and very similar to SI!
Gillette Yellow were horrible for me. I tried 4 blades in different razors but they were too harsh! The blacks are mediocre. Good but a bit rough. Gillette Bleue are good, but not quite like the SI.
Feathers are great in their own way. They are very sharp, but not as pleasant to use as the SI. You need to be extra careful with them.
I have also tried Souplex. They are very sharp! I got some fantastic close shaves with them.
To summarize: Turkish Permasharps(made in Russia) and Souplex are my recommandations as a SI replacement.
Checkout shaving.ie for Permasharps and google for the dutch barbershop (for Souplex)

 

[MoJoe]

Try a Kai. They're not Feather sharp but they are sharp.