Newbie first blade purchase Which one of these 3?

[desktopgrass]

I'm going to purchase my first blades for wet shaving. I need the safest, most forgiving blades to start with.

Astra Platinum

Derby Extra

Crystal Platinum Chrome (Israeli Personna)

Should I get 1 off this list? 2 off this list? All three off this list? Some other brand not listed?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[BigNickel]

Get an assorted blade sampler pack. This way you decide which blade to buy more of. No one but you can decide which blade is best for you.

 

[alex2363]

I'm going to purchase my first blades for wet shaving. I need the safest, most forgiving blades to start with.

Astra Platinum

Derby Extra

Crystal Platinum Chrome (Israeli Personna)

Should I get 1 off this list? 2 off this list? All three off this list? Some other brand not listed?

Thanks for your advice.

I would get the Astras, and Crystals. The Derbies are not that good and can cause irritation due to the low quality make. The Astras are the best in terms of longevity too, i can do 5 shaves with mine.

 

[desktopgrass]

I'm going to purchase my first blades for wet shaving. I need the safest, most forgiving blades to start with.

Astra Platinum

Derby Extra

Crystal Platinum Chrome (Israeli Personna)

Should I get 1 off this list? 2 off this list? All three off this list? Some other brand not listed?

Thanks for your advice.

What sampler do you recommend for a beginner? I found a site with free shipping and they offer this sampler.
7 AM Platinum Double Edge Safety Razors - 10 Blades
Astra Platinum Double Edge Safety Razors - 10 Blades
Big Ben Super Stainless Double Edge Safety Razors - 10 Blades
Shark Super Chrome Double Edge Safety Razors - 10 Blades
Sharp Stainless Double Edge Safety Razors - 10 Blades
Derby Extra Double Edge - 10 Blades

Price $12.99

 

[alex2363]

What sampler do you recommend for a beginner? I found a site with free shipping and they offer this sampler.
7 AM Platinum Double Edge Safety Razors - 10 Blades
Astra Platinum Double Edge Safety Razors - 10 Blades
Big Ben Super Stainless Double Edge Safety Razors - 10 Blades
Shark Super Chrome Double Edge Safety Razors - 10 Blades
Sharp Stainless Double Edge Safety Razors - 10 Blades
Derby Extra Double Edge - 10 Blades

Price $12.99

Get one with a greater variety and go with that one, if it is within your budget.

 

[Myosin]

Get the most varied sampler pack you can find.

If you are intent on purchasing 100, then the Astra blades are the best bet. They are generally considered one of the best blades and only a small minority seem to dislike them.

 

[danTaste]

Can I ask what website is that? I got a sampler from westcoastshaving.com. It included Derby, Astra, Personna Reds, Crystals and Feathers. It was a good range for me, I ended up ordering 100 Red Personnas. I would recommend that sampler -- pretty wide range for me.

 

[desktopgrass]

Can I ask what website is that? I got a sampler from westcoastshaving.com. It included Derby, Astra, Personna Reds, Crystals and Feathers. It was a good range for me, I ended up ordering 100 Red Personnas. I would recommend that sampler -- pretty wide range for me.

The site I found is razorsdirect.com

 

[dcobranchi]

I'm going to purchase my first blades for wet shaving. I need the safest, most forgiving blades to start with.

Astra Platinum

Derby Extra

Crystal Platinum Chrome (Israeli Personna)

Should I get 1 off this list? 2 off this list? All three off this list? Some other brand not listed?

Thanks for your advice.

I go against the grain (pun intended) in my rec for n00bs. I firmly believe that a blade sampler is a mistake. Early on, your technique is so variable that the same blade will give you a great shave one day and an awful one the next. And if you happen to change blades from, say, Derby to Astra on that second morning, you'll likely conclude that Astras are crap and don't work for you.

I suggest that you pick up a sleeve of a well-respected blade. Astras are a good choice from your list. $10 for 100 blades. Change the blade after every 2nd shave and you'll have more than 6 months to develop your technique. When that first sleeve is done, then order the large sampler pack from WCS.

 

[seanusa]

I go against the grain (pun intended) in my rec for n00bs. I firmly believe that a blade sampler is a mistake. Early on, your technique is so variable that the same blade will give you a great shave one day and an awful one the next. And if you happen to change blades from, say, Derby to Astra on that second morning, you'll likely conclude that Astras are crap and don't work for you.

I suggest that you pick up a sleeve of a well-respected blade. Astras are a good choice from your list. $10 for 100 blades. Change the blade after every 2nd shave and you'll have more than 6 months to develop your technique. When that first sleeve is done, then order the large sampler pack from WCS.

+1 to this, I ordered a large sample pack in the beginning and after trying many blades and not seeing or feeling a difference I settled in with the Astra SPs just out of the need to have consistency. Astra's are now my favorite blade as well because they work and I have solid technique with them and I still have most of the sampler but am just now getting to the point where I would want to try others. The one thing I will say is it was nice to have a dull (DERBY), medium ( ASTRA SP) and sharp (FEATHER) blade to decide what cut well for my hair and skin type.

 

[tm3]

I concur with dco and Sean. Get one blade and refine your technique. Derby or Astra would be fine. If your beard is pretty heavy I would vote Astra.

 

[Nomad1600]

I'd also suggest the Astra SPs. And if you do want to swap a blade out or need something you can get your hands on in a pinch, the Wilkinson Swords (black wrapper) that you can easily buy at Walmart (ten pack for around $1.50) is both a good blade for the money and shares much of the characteristics of the Astras (reasonably sharp, reasonably comfortable, and reasonably long-lasting).

But staying with one blade will take variables out of your shaving process allowing you to focus on refining the shaving process (pre-shave, shaving, and post shave). Once you are pretty consistent with your shaves, then you will be able to get more out of experimenting with different blades.

 

[DrAwkward]

I got a lot of good shaves out of my first pack of Astra SPs before I started in on the blade sampler adventure. I still compare every new blade to my beloved Astra SPs just so my impressions are put in some kind of context.

BTW, I would avoid any sampler that includes 7AM blades (not to be confused with Gillette 7 O'Clock blades). 7AM blades are by far the worst I have ever tried.

 

[Kent Kimmons]

IF I had to pick just 1, get the Astra blades.

 

[Chadao]

+1

Astras are perfect starter blades, and the Crystal is my go-to now.

I would get the Astras, and Crystals. The Derbies are not that good and can cause irritation due to the low quality make. The Astras are the best in terms of longevity too, i can do 5 shaves with mine.

 

[Stol3n]

Astra.

 

[Alphonse]

I would start with 7oclock Blacks from razorsdirect because you know you won't get that Astra turf burn. Never buy a cheap blade.