[Microscope] Another Personna Med vs. Lab thread. With pics.

[Rodeodave]

Thanks to the generosity of two gentlemen I was able to directly compare the US made Personna Med and Lab blades. Naturally, after shaving with either blade, I took a peek at what the hone looks like under the microscope. Here's the blades in question:



They both have two or three fine shaves and have been cleaned with plain water. Here's what the edges look like with 100x magnification:



Same situation, different lighting conditions:



I'ma let you guess or even speculate which blade is which. They both give a spectacularly smooth shave, that much I'll tell you right away

 

[joshua1970]

left is lab, right is med... what do I win? j/k

very interesting! I was convinced they were the same blade as I couldn't feel any difference myself.

 

[cfender]

Looks like a noticibly different hone. I had seen a post previously on B&B that showed microscopic images of the Lab and Med and it too showed a difference in the blades. Do you have any fresh blades that you could also photograph?

 

[Rodeodave]

Looks like a noticibly different hone. I had seen a post previously on B&B that showed microscopic images of the Lab and Med and it too showed a difference in the blades. Do you have any fresh blades that you could also photograph?

Yeah, that I've read, but the pics in said thread are no longer hosted anywhere...which was even more motivation to take some pics for me.

I still do have fresh samples of either blade, I'll take some additional pics soon.

 

[VerbaVolant]

Personna Med - Right
Lab - Left

If I send you two blades would you post the pictures and same side-by side comparison?

 

[Rodeodave]

Personna Med - Right
Lab - Left

If I send you two blades would you post the pictures and same side-by side comparison?

Certainly, you'd have to ship to Austria/Europe though, PM me if interested. I could take pre and post shave pics of the blades.

 

[Vickers]

I'll go against the grain (har!) and say left is Med, right is Prep.

 

[5savages]

What I would like to see is a picture of the blade edges after the blades have been switched around so that we see both blade edges in the same light. I'm not sure if I've made myself clear, but even though the pictures show two different lighting conditions, they don't show both blades in the same lighting conditions because the light is hitting the bevel of each blade at a different angle. Rotating the slide 180° would give us a chance to do a better comparison.

 

[Rodeodave]

What I would like to see is a picture of the blade edges after the blades have been switched around so that we see both blade edges in the same light. I'm not sure if I've made myself clear, but even though the pictures show two different lighting conditions, they don't show both blades in the same lighting conditions because the light is hitting the bevel of each blade at a different angle. Rotating the slide 180° would give us a chance to do a better comparison.

I have additional pics with each blade under the microscope individually, with the same lighting angle each time. There really is a difference in the grind/hone between these two particular blades, it's not just lighting. Valid concern though.
I'm waiting a little longer to let more people have a guess, we're in no hurry here methinks.

 

[cfender]

These photos bring into question some often sited statements about these 2 Personna Blades

1. They are the same blade.
2. They are the same blade except for a final "cleansing" process applied to the "Med" version.
3. They are the same blade except for a final "sterilization" process applied to the "Med" version.

Many B&B'rs have posted that they can't tell the difference in the blade which has added further acceptance of these statements.

 

[mctmatt]

I would like to see several blades as comparing just one of each might not be the best way to draw any conclusion.

 

[Rodeodave]

I would like to see several blades as comparing just one of each might not be the best way to draw any conclusion.

I fully agree that we need more samples. I'm on it

 

[man00ver]

I'll go against the grain (har!) and say left is Med, right is Prep.

I also think the Med is on the left, but I think so because the 2nd bevel seems longer down to the final grind, and this was the difference I noted in the previous (now unavailable) micro-photographic comparisons.

 

[Vickers]

I also think the Med is on the left, but I think so because the 2nd bevel seems longer down to the final grind, and this was the difference I noted in the previous (now unavailable) micro-photographic comparisons.

Agreed. I also think the 1st and particularly the 2nd grinds look tidier on the left blade.

 

[my19]

I'm one of those who did feel a difference between the Lab and the Med, with the Med my preference. Every first shave with the Lab causes a weeper. Never had that happen with a Med. Maybe the different grind is the culprit.

 

[Shave_Rat]

Interesting for sure. Didn't Personna themselves claim the grinding/sharpening process between the two is supposedly the exact same? I'm sure the meds don't go through any actual sterilization process, since they aren't packed in any way that would keep them sterile, but an enhanced cleaning process compared to the labs I could see.

 

[Kramerica]

I've tried both, both are excellent blades, but the med consistently gives a smoother, closer shave for me. I have never been of the opinion they are the same.

 

[Rodeodave]

Time to lift the veil.

Lab:



Med:



Full album see here: http://imgur.com/a/V0Odi#0

From my limited experience with these blades I too would have found the Meds to be the smoother blades, but not by much. Time will tell, and more pics shall accumulate.

 

[filedog]

I just got a 100 pack of the lab blues for $13 delivered.
My current faves are Feathers and Super Iridiums.
I love these Personnas! Easily as good as my other two faves,
and what a great price! If the Meds are BETTER, they must
be some GREAT blades.

 

[HornHiYo]

I have the Meds. Best blade I've ever used (with Muhle R89). They're just stupid sharp.

My experience, best to worst:

Meds
Super Iridium
Feather
7OC Blue
7OC Yellow
Shark SS
Astra SP

My coworker tried the Meds and was blown away; got upset for buying a 100 pack of 7oC blacks!