Looking for opinions - Ranking the Russians!

[JerseyBoy]

Hi All...

I have had great experience with the Voskhod Teflons, and it really has piqued my interest in trying some more of the Russian blades (Rapira, Lada, Sputniks, etc)...these are the blades I am primarily interested in:

Voskhod
Sputnik
Ladas
Rapira Platinum Lux
Rapira Swedish
Rapira Stainless
Rapira Super Stainless

Would anyone care to offer their opinion on what worked for them if they happened upon a good sampler of the Russian blades? I realize that everyone's experience will be different, but wanted to see what other's experiences were before I did the 100 blade commit...I see some great sampler packs, but I am interested in B&B member opinions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[PGrevie]

I purchased a sampler with all of the blades listed above. I have only used the Voskhod and Sputnik so far. I need to use them more before I know for sure, but I think I like the Sputnik a little better than the Voskhod. Both are good blades if you ask me.

 

[razorhead63]

Rapira Swedish Super Steels are quite decent (I just used one tonight) a good value blade.

Perma Sharp Supers, also Russian made are tops for me, very sharp and very long lasting......
better than most others out there......

Hope this helps!!!

John H.

 

[KRpdx]

Yesterday had 5th great shave w/a Rapira Platinum Lux. For me a step up from Voshkod's, the only other one you mentioned that I have tried.

 

[RaiserLiebe]

I like the super stainless in the pink-black-blue package
http://www.amazon.com/Rapira-Double-Edge-Razor-Blades/dp/B009BQVOYU

Voshkods are very nice too. I have a sampler with Ladas, Sputnicks, and all the varieties of Rapiras, working through them now.

 

[Teppanyaki]

Ebay has a vendor with most of those blades (if not all) from Russia. $10ish plus very reasonable shipping and handling. I actually got mine in . . . 7-10 days? Some people reported 3 weeks.

 

[mastershake]

imo the voskhod are awesome blades for a really smooth medium sharpness blade. the plat lux i find much sharper but not as sharp. i prefer the rapira swede to the lux by a small amount they seem as sharp but smoother somehow. otherwise im not really fond of the rest on the list the regular super stainless are ehh okay but only are good for maybe one shave for me.

 

[5savages]

Of the ones I've tried, here's my order:

Voskhod
Sputnik
Ladas
Rapira Swedish
Rapira Platinum Lux
Rapira Super Stainless

Voskhod
Sputnik
Ladas
Rapira Platinum Lux
Rapira Swedish
Rapira Stainless
Rapira Super Stainless

 

[GUYGARR]

I am working my way through the Rapira line , trying only 2 so far , Swedes and Stainless . Swedes are far sharper than the Stainless . To me , after using 2 blades each , the stainless feel as bad as Dorcos , my face is still hurting from this mornings shave . The Swedes are sharp and smooth . Later this week the next up is the Super Stainless .

 

[Teddyboy]

I have found all of them excellent, except for the Sputniks. These seemed to be a bit rougher than the others. I find myself reaching for the Voskhods and Ladas more often, but I don't think that really indicates preference; just what is easier to reach for.

 

[TheLegalRazor]

This entire Voskhod/Rapira line of blades, including a sampler pack, is now available at www.shaveabuck.com. There is no longer a need to buy from the Russian vendors on eBay.

 

[rodmonster]

When you say "Russian Blades" is there any reason you are not including all of the Gillettes, the Polsilver, the Perma Sharps among many other blades that are manufactured in St. Petersburg, Russia? The list of blades made in Russia is quite long. Here is a link that talks about the Gillette factory.

http://www.bruceonshaving.com/tag/leninets/

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

JerseyBoy:

In a nut shell, I found Voskhod (my one & only 'go-to'), blades to be 'awesome', moderately sharp (almost as sharp as a KAI, but much smoother & cheaper), forgiving and perfect with no pulling or tugging, very, very smooth, (albeit a 'weeper' now & then..but zero 'nicks'), no irritation and/or razor burn that 99.9% of the time results in CCS's in 3 passes (WTG, CTG & ATG), with 2 great shaves per blade (I shave every-other day with Saturdays as my shaving 'day off'),...and are very compatible with both of my Merkur 23C & 38C razors.

NOTE: Same info posted in the Razor Blade Review Subforum.

Read More: http://badgerandblade.com/reviews/sh...product=211221

"Dа...Время от времени, лезвие может быть между фокусами и изумление". Aнонимный (Translation...“Yes...at times, a razor blade can be between gimmickry and amazement". Anonymous

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

This entire Voskhod/Rapira line of blades, including a sampler pack, is now available at www.shaveabuck.com. There is no longer a need to buy from the Russian vendors on eBay.

Ricardo:
Awesome! Thanx for your reply, link and for sharing!

"Dа...бритва[лезвие] не может быть обострена на части бархата". Автор неизвестен (translation...“Yes...a razor [blade] can’t be sharpened on a piece of velvet”. Author Unknown


PS Did you know that Voskhod means 'sunrise' in Russian?

 

[JerseyBoy]

When you say "Russian Blades" is there any reason you are not including all of the Gillettes, the Polsilver, the Perma Sharps among many other blades that are manufactured in St. Petersburg, Russia?

I was mainly interested in the Russian "branded" blades - I do use and enjoy the Gillette Silver Blues which are know are produced in Russia as well...

 

[redrako]

Voskhod
Gillette 7 o'clock SharpEdge (yellows)
Gillette 7 o'clock Super Platinum (blue)
Gillette Silver Blues
Rapira Stainless (pink & blue)

Are the Russian blades that I enjoy.

I hope that they bring back the 7 o'clock blues again.

 

[Nomad1600]

Voskhod. No need to go further.

 

[JerseyBoy]

Thanks all - I ended up buying 50 Voskhods from a B&B vendor and have the Rapira Platinum Lux in mind next.

 

[tfinch]

It wasn't too long ago that I went through a sampler, and from my notes the order of preference was

Rapira Swedish
Rapira Super Stainless
Voskhod
Ladas
Sputnik
Rapira Platinum Lux

My sampler was missing the regular Rapira Stainless so can't be sure on those. For me those top four were all adequate, the Sputnik and Platinum Lux bad enough that I passed them on to a friend.

 

[briggs]

What about Polsilver? They make some great blades.