So i'm back with another monthly review! As before, each blade will be reviewed based on a 2 pass (plus touch up) shave using a Van Der Hagen long handled razor, Van Der Hagen Luxury shave soap and a generic Fento badger brush. I run through 2 of each blade and use each 4 times; for a total of 8 shaves per brand. I'll be grading based on sharpness, smoothness, longevity and consistency. Price will be a factor but only of it's very cheap or expensive since most DE blades are pretty cheap comparatively.
The blade in question this month is the Rapira Platinum Lux: Rapira’s top of the line blade. After a run of decidedly mediocre blades, I was really looking forward to trying the RPL. The previous Rapira I tried, the Swedish Supersteel, was a mixed bag but showed some promise. I was hoping the RPL would be a step up in quality and live up to it’s slightly cultish (by DE standards) reputation.
Before getting down to brass tacks, this blade is made in Russia and has a platinum coating. There were the standard wax dots upon opening but this blade doesn’t appear to be wax or teflon coated. The packaging is extremely bland; with literal shades of gray and the Rapira name in black (with it’s Russian spelling in red.) But as with all good books...er...blades, I don’t judge them by their covers. As always, it comes down to the shave...
Sharpness out of the gate was pretty good. Not great, but definitely on the higher end of sharp. There was minimal tug and pull and generally the blade cut through my stubble with little fuss. The second shave seemed the sharpest, though there was little noticeable dulling throughout each of the shaves.
Smoothness was where this blade shined though. Each shave was weeper free and my face felt very good after every pass. Although i wasn’t able to get a BBS shave from any of the 8 tries with the RPL, they were all very close and comfortable. Around now is where i’d usually insert a snarky quip about some kind of Russian efficiency, but this blade is all business. Think Regan and Gorbachev circa 1988. Plans (for a good shave) are being hashed out with every lift of the razor.
Longevity was also top notch. After 4 shaves, the RPL could easily have kept going. My guess is 7-10 shaves out of a single blade even if you’re prone to tossing them quickly. You’re definitely going to get your money’s worth over the Swedish Supersteel.
Speaking of price, 100 blades will run you 12.95 on amazon. That’s only 2.97 over the Swedish and well worth the money in my opinion.
Consistancy was also excellent. Both blades were identical and gave the best shaves on the second go round. I didn’t notice any discerable difference between the two.
So what’s the final verdict? Much like the Start II treaty, this blade accomplishes a lot but fails in it’s ulitmate purpose. It can reduce the stubble to acceptable levels, but just doesn’t ever get to the result you’re hoping for. Has anyone ever compared nuclear disarmament to shaving? Well they have now! In all seriousness the RPL reminded me a great deal of the Voskhod. As in almost identical. Which is not a knock. I think Voskhod’s a very good blade but lack the sharpness i hoped for. I’ll offer the same gripe about the RPL. It’s a solid blade but just not sharp enough for my tastes. It gets a solid 7 out of 10.
Up next, a Personna offering: the little known QBall. Until next time, happy shaving!
The blade in question this month is the Rapira Platinum Lux: Rapira’s top of the line blade. After a run of decidedly mediocre blades, I was really looking forward to trying the RPL. The previous Rapira I tried, the Swedish Supersteel, was a mixed bag but showed some promise. I was hoping the RPL would be a step up in quality and live up to it’s slightly cultish (by DE standards) reputation.
Before getting down to brass tacks, this blade is made in Russia and has a platinum coating. There were the standard wax dots upon opening but this blade doesn’t appear to be wax or teflon coated. The packaging is extremely bland; with literal shades of gray and the Rapira name in black (with it’s Russian spelling in red.) But as with all good books...er...blades, I don’t judge them by their covers. As always, it comes down to the shave...
Sharpness out of the gate was pretty good. Not great, but definitely on the higher end of sharp. There was minimal tug and pull and generally the blade cut through my stubble with little fuss. The second shave seemed the sharpest, though there was little noticeable dulling throughout each of the shaves.
Smoothness was where this blade shined though. Each shave was weeper free and my face felt very good after every pass. Although i wasn’t able to get a BBS shave from any of the 8 tries with the RPL, they were all very close and comfortable. Around now is where i’d usually insert a snarky quip about some kind of Russian efficiency, but this blade is all business. Think Regan and Gorbachev circa 1988. Plans (for a good shave) are being hashed out with every lift of the razor.
Longevity was also top notch. After 4 shaves, the RPL could easily have kept going. My guess is 7-10 shaves out of a single blade even if you’re prone to tossing them quickly. You’re definitely going to get your money’s worth over the Swedish Supersteel.
Speaking of price, 100 blades will run you 12.95 on amazon. That’s only 2.97 over the Swedish and well worth the money in my opinion.
Consistancy was also excellent. Both blades were identical and gave the best shaves on the second go round. I didn’t notice any discerable difference between the two.
So what’s the final verdict? Much like the Start II treaty, this blade accomplishes a lot but fails in it’s ulitmate purpose. It can reduce the stubble to acceptable levels, but just doesn’t ever get to the result you’re hoping for. Has anyone ever compared nuclear disarmament to shaving? Well they have now! In all seriousness the RPL reminded me a great deal of the Voskhod. As in almost identical. Which is not a knock. I think Voskhod’s a very good blade but lack the sharpness i hoped for. I’ll offer the same gripe about the RPL. It’s a solid blade but just not sharp enough for my tastes. It gets a solid 7 out of 10.
Up next, a Personna offering: the little known QBall. Until next time, happy shaving!
