is there definitive proof that ted pellas are walgreen's GEMS?

[drandall]

so, i need to stock up on single edge blades and ted pella's PTFE coated single-edge blades would seem to be a logical choice...

but have we ever come to a conclusion about what exactly they are? are they the same as the basic walgreen's "GEM by personna" blades?

I've heard yes. I've heard no. I've heard ted pella's are but not the ones that amazon sells.

what do we know gents?

thanks!

david r

 

[Mike'sWorld]

This is probably impossible to tell with certainty. I worked in manufacturing for decades and it is not at all unusual for one customer, if dealing in enough volume or with an important enough market niche, to have different quality control standards, different manufacturing techniques and even different raw materials. All with the same product, same packaging, same marketing name.

 

[Im_leary]

I have been searching for definitive evidence as to the difference, but I have found only subjective inference. Clearly, what is needed here is some quality microphotography of the edges. From all the web-based literature I have found, I am left with the conclusion that the Walgreens blades are no different than all the other GEM Super Stainless Steel blades, which have been on the market since the 1970's (when I first used them). According to the information I have found, these blades have a rather unremarkable double-bevel grind.

The Ted Pella PTFE stainless blades, on the other hand, are made specifically for industrial use. They are purported to be thicker and have a triple-bevel grind. I have verified, however, that the thickness is the same (.009") for all of the GEM stainless blades, and virtually all of the other over-the-counter SE blades available to me. The definitive differentiation can be made only with a microscopic view of the edge.

If anyone would like to undertake this study, I will be happy to donate several current-production Ted Pella Part #121-3 (GEM Part #62-0165) PTFE coated industrial blades, along with any other blades I may have lying about.

 

[MrGuy]

Here is a pic I took quite some time ago with a simple Sony camera set to macro mode. One blade from Ted Pella, one from Walgreens. You tell me if they are the same

BTW... Performance wise, they are nearly identical, IMO.

 

[drandall]

thanks for the photo. interesting....

out of curiosity, which blade is which?

 

[MrGuy]

thanks for the photo. interesting....

out of curiosity, which blade is which?

Pella on the left, Walgreens on the right.

 

[Darjeeling Express]

Dave, you have raised perhaps the single most important question of our time. I look forward to the discussion.

 

[jgkeegan]

Dave, you have raised perhaps the single most important question of our time. I look forward to the discussion.

I wonder, if the answer were a definitive "yes," would that not kill the Pella market?

 

[TheBigL]

While I haven't used either the Pellas or walgreens blades, I have seen the Pella's item number in the ASR catalog. There are also other single edge blades in the catalog that may or may not be the walgreens or CVS or any other private label model. However, has anyone tried contacting ASR and ask them which is which?

 

[Im_leary]

While I haven't used either the Pellas or walgreens blades, I have seen the Pella's item number in the ASR catalog. There are also other single edge blades in the catalog that may or may not be the walgreens or CVS or any other private label model. However, has anyone tried contacting ASR and ask them which is which?

Yes I have, as well as several other members of the forum. The "company line" is straightforward. To quote the nice lady I spoke with (as accurately as I can recall), "Items listed in the industrial catalog (see Personna Specialty Blade catalog) are not suitable for personal care or shaving. These blades have been cleaned with only a solvent bath and are not sterile. They are not manufactured, packaged, nor marketed to the consumer for personal care use." The Ted Pella "company line" is, essentially, a paraphrase of the policy related to me by ASR customer service ((877) 277-4679). You may wish to check other (older) threads. Their company policy has remained precisely the same since 2006 (that I am personally aware of). The bottom line: If the blade is not specifically listed as a "Personal Care" item, they do not (and will not) discuss the relative shaving qualities of that blade at all. I can understand their position completely. If someone were to contract a blood-born pathogen from a shaving cut... and it could be proven that the blade was an unsterile "industrial" blade, ASR could face legal action.

 

[TheBigL]

Yes I have, as well as several other members of the forum. The "company line" is straightforward. To quote the nice lady I spoke with (as accurately as I can recall), "Items listed in the industrial catalog (see Personna Specialty Blade catalog) are not suitable for personal care or shaving. These blades have been cleaned with only a solvent bath and are not sterile. They are not manufactured, packaged, nor marketed to the consumer for personal care use." The Ted Pella "company line" is, essentially, a paraphrase of the policy related to me by ASR customer service ((877) 277-4679). You may wish to check other (older) threads. Their company policy has remained precisely the same since 2006 (that I am personally aware of). The bottom line: If the blade is not specifically listed as a "Personal Care" item, they do not (and will not) discuss the relative shaving qualities of that blade at all. I can understand their position completely. If someone were to contract a blood-born pathogen from a shaving cut... and it could be proven that the blade was an unsterile "industrial" blade, ASR could face legal action.

Thank you. I had read threads where people had contacted Ted Pella about shaving blades, but not one where someone had contacted ASR.