King C. Gillette Russia vs China Comparison

[ivan_101]

Here is another comparison of these ultra expensive blades. King C. Gillette PPI (Russia) vs. China (Gillette Shanghai). On the left is the Russian pack manufactured 02/21. On the right - the Chinese, manufactured 03/23. The Russian blades are laser etched, the Chinese have black printing on the blade.

Same methodology of comparison as always. Both (brand new) blades with the same razor, brush, cream, aftershave. One shave each. I even try to have the same water temperature for maxium objectivity. 3-pass shaves with (in this case) Ming Shi 2000S @6.

Even though these blade don't have big differences, they still shave differently. Many users will not probably find them different. The Russian blade has some ever so small degree of roughness both WTG and ATG. I also think it is a hair sharper than the Chinese blade. My afternoon checks show the shave with the Chinese blade wasn't exactly as close, as half of my face has some stubble that could be easily felt with my fingers. Which confirms the Russian is sharper. The aftershave response was stronger with the Russian blade. The Shanghai blade feels smoother on the skin. Even though I will not buy any more King C. Gillette blades, my nod is towards the Chinese one.

P.S. As this has happenned more than once already, please stay on topic. Let us not discuss other blades here or interject "Blade X is better than both KCG, etc." Thank You!

 

[BigJ]

Great comparison!

May I suggest two other factors to consider:
1. Blade longevity, and
2. Blade-to-blade variability (you should try a few, preferably from different tucks).

Just my $0.02!

 

[ivan_101]

Great comparison!

May I suggest two other factors to consider:
1. Blade longevity, and
2. Blade-to-blade variability (you should try a few, preferably from different tucks).

Just my $0.02!

Sorry. No offence but... Not gonna happen.

I have been using Gillette made blades for decades, and never felt blade variability in any model.
It only happens when Gillette intentionally change the blade. (See the comparisons of Astra SS PPI old vs new, 7 o'clock Sharpedge and Iridium -Super)

I also do not include longevity, because that is strictly individual. It depends on number of passes, razor and cream used, hardness of whiskers, brush etc. For me the characteristics of the blade on shave #1 are most important because if a blade gives unsatisfactory results on shave #1, even if it changes / gets better on shave #2, it is not worth buying.

There are rare cases when a blade will change significantly on shave #2. Then I will report it in a subsequent post in the thread here. This was the case with Chinese light blue Platinum, which got sharper on shave #2, unlike the Russian light blue.

 

[geneaut]

I grabbed some of the 100 packs of KCG that were on Amazon. I've always assumed they were made in China, but I've yet to even open them.

The one Russian made one I've used was very nice, but not one of my favorite Gillette blades.

Thanks for the comparison. You have a good way of presenting data in an unbiased fashion that I enjoy.

 

[Juanmosey]

I grabbed some of the 100 packs of KCG that were on Amazon. I've always assumed they were made in China, but I've yet to even open them.

The one Russian made one I've used was very nice, but not one of my favorite Gillette blades.

Thanks for the comparison. You have a good way of presenting data in an unbiased fashion that I enjoy.

You need to try the Chinese King C. I think I prefer it over the Feather. Did a 3 pass with it today with my 1967 Super Speed.

 

[Hairy Callahan]

I remember being the first kid on my block to get this KCG razor and it's complimentary 5 blade tuck back when this was first introduced. It was a Walgreens exclusive and I had to call the store and get it reserved. Went to town and picked it up, the whole production. But I instinctively knew the blades would be crapola so naturally they're lost to history. All these years later, I have the DE razor and handle (which I've retired the handle in favor of a WCS brass handle). The blades are long gone. Now I wish I'd have at least tried the blades. Sheesh, who'd have thought Gillette would have included a decent blade with the KCG? I figured they were second thought garbage, and acted accordingly. It's like when you buy a Merkur razor. The newly produced Czheck-made blades go into the trash along with the packaging. It;s like a muscle reflex.

 

[awk_m4]

I’ve only tried the latest KCG blades from China and they are one of my favourites.
I purchased a tuck when I was out of town. I liked them so much that when I got home I bought 100 on Amazon for just a little more than it cost me for 10.

 

[cranewarrior]

I bought a lot of 40 Russian KCGs...Now I am afraid to try one and have it "ruin" the Chinese one for me. Lol.

 

[AndyPanda]

I bought a lot of 40 Russian KCGs...Now I am afraid to try one and have it "ruin" the Chinese one for me. Lol.

I will help you out by taking them off your hands so you don't have to have your Chinese blades spoiled.

The first 3 or 4 shaves will be similar - Russian slightly less sharp on the first shave - but then the Russian blade will stay the same sharpness for a dozen shaves while the Chinese blade is losing sharpness by shave 4. I felt like the Russian blade was smoother too -- but it was slight difference.

 

[IBieberhoff]

I have really enjoyed the Chinese KCG blades. I bought the overpriced 10-pack twice when Walgreen’s had a $3 off coupon so it was 10/$3.99. I was happy to pay that price to get a good feel for them.

Still testing for preference vs. Gillette platinum and GSB but pretty good deals to be had on Amazon for 100.

 

[musicman1951]

I only have one 10 pack, and have only used 5 to date. I'll have to check to see from whence they come.

I found incredible variety in the first 5, with a couple being less than satisfying and a couple being outstanding. The packaging is stupidly over the top. I can't imagine I will ever purchase more.

 

[AndyPanda]

I'll have to check to see from whence they come.

Laser etched logo on blade is Russian. Black Ink is China

 

[Juanmosey]

Laser etched logo on blade is Russian. Black Ink is China

Seems I've been using the Russian thinking it was Chinese.

 

[IBieberhoff]

I only have one 10 pack, and have only used 5 to date. I'll have to check to see from whence they come.

I found incredible variety in the first 5, with a couple being less than satisfying and a couple being outstanding. The packaging is stupidly over the top. I can't imagine I will ever purchase more.

Over the few that I have used, they have been very consistent. I was worried with the Chinese blades that they might struggle from QC issues but have been pleasantly surprised.

100% agreed on the over the top packaging. So silly.

 

[cranewarrior]

I've only used blades from 2 tucks but I couldn't detect any variation. The Chinese KCGs are one of my favorites and are 2 days away from my door via AMZ.

 

[IBieberhoff]

Does anyone know if there is a list of other blades made in the same factory as the Chinese KCG? I would love to try a few others if so…

 

[ivan_101]

Does anyone know if there is a list of other blades made in the same factory as the Chinese KCG? I would love to try a few others if so…

Gillette Shanghai make many blades. Not only Gillette, but a couple of other P&G brands. Mostly for Asia.
This is not the place to dicuss them though.

 

[IBieberhoff]

Gillette Shanghai make many blades. Not only Gillette, but a couple of other P&G brands. Mostly for Asia.
This is not the place to dicuss them though.

Thanks, @ivan_101 . Could you direct me to another thread if there is already one? Otherwise I can start a new one, didn’t mean to hijack this thread.

Looking forward to loading a new Chinese KCG next week!

 

[ivan_101]

Thanks, @ivan_101 . Could you direct me to another thread if there is already one? Otherwise I can start a new one, didn’t mean to hijack this thread.

Looking forward to loading a new Chinese KCG next week!

I am afraid I cannot help you here. Not even sure there is such a thread with a list.

 

[BradWorld]

Here is another comparison of these ultra expensive blades. King C. Gillette PPI (Russia) vs. China (Gillette Shanghai).

Great review. And sorry I’m late to this thread. Are there two versions of the newer Chinese KCG? Or are they the same blade in different tuck box? I love the original Russian KCG. So when the new bulk pack of KCG China came out for a very reasonable price on Amazon, I picked up a 100 pack for around $17 usd. I think they are the same blades as the very expensive Chinese 5 and 10 packs in a plain white box pictured below. Anyone try both?