NOS Blades - Better than current prodection?

[mullard]

Hello folks. I am under the impression after reading about some of the older manufactured blades and trying them that they may be better than the current production blades. I have used the Gillette spoiler super stainless, Swedish Gillettes, and Personna 74 blades. I have also tried just about all the popular new production blades mentioned on this site. Can we find a blade made today that is as good in quality as a Personna 74 or a Gillette spoiler? Are we going to get better quality shaves with NOS(new old stock) blades compared to the newer blades? I have been more pleased with their performance than any of the new production blades such as Derby's, Feathers, Gillette 7 o'clocks, ect. Anybody else finding this to be so? I think I may stick to the older Gillette spoilers and Personna 74s, but I want to check to see if I am not missing anything. Have a good one...Mullard

 

[mmack66]

Hello folks. I am under the impression after reading about some of the older manufactured blades and trying them that they may be better than the current production blades. I have used the Gillette spoiler super stainless, Swedish Gillettes, and Personna 74 blades. I have also tried just about all the popular new production blades mentioned on this site. Can we find a blade made today that is as good in quality as a Personna 74 or a Gillette spoiler? Are we going to get better quality shaves with NOS(new old stock) blades compared to the newer blades? I have been more pleased with their performance than any of the new production blades such as Derby's, Feathers, Gillette 7 o'clocks, ect. Anybody else finding this to be so? I think I may stick to the older Gillette spoilers and Personna 74s, but I want to check to see if I am not missing anything. Have a good one...Mullard

In my opinion, the late model Gillette and Schick NOS blades are unequaled by current blades.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Most here agree that the older blades like the Spoiler, 74, etc., can't be matched by any blade made today. Some claim that the Feather is an exception but that is a matter of personal preference. I will stick with my plentiful stock of NOS blades.

 

[Stubblefield]

In terms of smoothness and longevity I personally find that most NOS blades outperform current blades by a fair to wide margin. I don't believe any current production blade other than the Feather comes close to the quality that was evident in the earlier blades.

 

[coolbluewater]

Oldies were better.
I used to get a pack of UK Wilkinsons at the PX in 'Nam back in the 60s for a quarter
I recently came across some NOS UK Wilks and my thoughts are confirmed.

For the money though, current production Gillette 7 O'clock Yellows and Astra Superior Platinums (both Russian made) are standout deals today.

 

[goby]

I've only used Personna 74's, although I have some spoilers in the Shave Den that I haven't used.

The Personna 74's are great, but I'm fine with current blades. I would use Personna 74's everyday but they are so hard to find, and expensive when you do. There is an auction on ebay right now... $1.00 a blade plus shipping! I could buy 10 Red IP's for that price.

 

[mmack66]

I've only used Personna 74's, although I have some spoilers in the Shave Den that I haven't used.

The Personna 74's are great, but I'm fine with current blades. I would use Personna 74's everyday but they are so hard to find, and expensive when you do. There is an auction on ebay right now... $1.00 a blade plus shipping! I could buy 10 Red IP's for that price.

But I thought they lasted 10x as long.

 

[mullard]

I appreciate knowing this information. I just shaved today with a NOS Gillette spoiler in a Merkur HD. The day before I used a Feather. The Feather did the job, but not with the smoothness of the Spoiler. Both provided close shaves, but the Spoiler did it in a smoother fashion. I can feel the better quality of the NOS blades almost immediately when I swap out a new Derby, Feather, Gillette 7 o'clock, ect, for a NOS blade. I am going to try the 'Light Brigade' English Wilkinsons next.Mullard

 

[goby]

But I thought they lasted 10x as long.

They do!! But for the price of one, when you can find it, you can get 10 IP's, or if you find a great BST, 30 Dorcos (which I love). Plus there is there sadness of using one of your prized stash. I'm really hoping I hate the Spoilers, and I promise to never try a Swede. I afraid I'll love them.

 

[Stubblefield]

I'm really hoping I hate the Spoilers, and I promise to never try a Swede. I afraid I'll love them.

If you like the 74, you'll like the Spoiler. They have a similar feel (but don't last as long).

I'm one of the few that never took to the Swede, and feel the Spoiler is a much better blade. I probably should not say that too loudly around here.

There is an auction on ebay right now... $1.00 a blade plus shipping! I could buy 10 Red IP's for that price.

If prices continue to be crazy, I'm going to use some of my 74s as a downpayment next time I buy a house.

 

[mullard]

Well, I do not mind paying extra for a smoother and closer shave. An old saying that has been true my whole life is "you get what you pay for" - Very rarely in my life have I paid less for something and it turned out to be better than the more expensive item. Mullard

 

[mrscottishman]

Interesting thread. I have found a couple of Schick Platinum's I used to use. They are stuck in the dispenser and I just haven't tried to really get them out. It would be interesting to put them up against the Feathers and also the Kai's I have been using the past few weeks. Also there are used blades in the holder. If a blade deteriates from corriosion of the edge after use then they have almost 30 years to dull and corrode. If they don't, then they should only be as bad as a blade you are ready to change. When I have time to fiddle around I will do some testing and report. New New vs New Old and then Old Old verse New Old, if you follow me. If the old used blades are dull as a butterknife, then I might consider some of that blade oil in a "magic marker" type dispenser they sell.

best,
mrscottishman

 

[Stubblefield]

Interesting thread. I have found a couple of Schick Platinum's I used to use. They are stuck in the dispenser and I just haven't tried to really get them out.

Those Schick dispensers come apart pretty easily--just lift and slide.

 

[Rufust445]

Well, I do not mind paying extra for a smoother and closer shave. An old saying that has been true my whole life is "you get what you pay for" - Very rarely in my life have I paid less for something and it turned out to be better than the more expensive item. Mullard

Her's an exception to the rule:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18058

$10.49 for a 10-pack at the nearest Rite Aid here.

Also, in making a toilet-paper run(sic) to Wal-Mart recently, I noticed the 10-pack of Gillette Trac II cartridges has gone up from $12.44 to $13.47. The Personnas next to them on the rack are still $3.54 a 10-pack.

People on this board who have tried the Personna Twin II's claim they're just as good if not better than the Gillettes. You can check it out in the review section here.

As always with blades, YMMV.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Does anyone have any thoughts as to why? Do you think the American tooling at the time was superior to what is being done at ASR and overseas today?

 

[mmack66]

Does anyone have any thoughts as to why? Do you think the American tooling at the time was superior to what is being done at ASR and overseas today?

Since DE blades were their main source of income back then, I would imagine the quality control was a lot greater. Experience in making blades might have been a factor as well.

 

[mullard]

Quality has been put on the back burner in many cases. Sad, but true. I just shaved with a new Gillette 7 o'clock after I used a NOS Gillette spoiler the day before. No comparison. The spoiler was MUCH smoother and sharper. My next NOS blades to try will be the Schick Platinum Plus and Wilkinson Light Brigades. I am curious how they will compare to the Spoilers and 74s. Mullard

 

[DE Shaver]

Razor blades, like many things, are made to a price point. If most people are not willing to pay a $1.00 per blade then the manufacturer will craft blades at a price point they can turn a profit. I would imagine that most DE blades are made for markets where the consumer is unwilling or unable to pay a premium for quality blades. With that said, there are a number of blades on the market I think shave well given their inexpensive price.

 

[Stubblefield]

My next NOS blades to try will be the Schick Platinum Plus and Wilkinson Light Brigades. I am curious how they will compare to the Spoilers and 74s. Mullard

I think you will be impressed.