Personna Confusion #59353

[incucrash]

Ok, I went to sallys beauty

I purchased these:

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Personna-Lab-Blue-Double-Edge-Blades-5-blades_p_1158.html

Are these LABs?

They do not say SUPER on them, as opposed to the ebay link here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180758469680


which I was about to purchase but hit the brakes because of this confusion

If the Sallys beauty supply are the same as the ones on ebay, I rather hold off because I was not impressed actually, but I have heard the ones I have be referred to as BARBERs

They don't say 25% sharper, or SUPER on them...
Just plain with arrows




I know med prep says For hospital use on them...

 

[xillion]

I believe the ones sold at Sally's are "Barber" Personna blades.

More info on the Barber blades in the threads below.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...nna-Barber-Blades-Why-do-we-call-them-Barbers

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...s-Barber-Personna-or-same-as-Medical-Personna

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...-quot-Same-as-Generic-Re-branded-Store-Blades

I also believe that the ones the West Coast offers in the dispenser are Lab blades.

 

[Gordy2]

This page at razorbladesandmore.com has the Labs and Lab Preps:

http://www.razorbladesandmore.com/catalog/double-edge-blades/personna

 

[incucrash]

I believe the ones sold at Sally's are "Barber" Personna blades.

More info on the Barber blades in the threads below.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...nna-Barber-Blades-Why-do-we-call-them-Barbers

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...s-Barber-Personna-or-same-as-Medical-Personna

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...-quot-Same-as-Generic-Re-branded-Store-Blades

I also believe that the ones the West Coast offers in the dispenser are Lab blades.

The ones I got look identical to the ones WCS is selling, so I wonder if I got a lab, but it is not stamped SUPER.... ><

This page at razorbladesandmore.com has the Labs and Lab Preps:

http://www.razorbladesandmore.com/catalog/double-edge-blades/personna

Roger that, hoping to snag ebay $12.99 deal, only different is arrows and super, but mine are "stainless"

confused

 

[xillion]

The ones I got look identical to the ones WCS is selling, so I wonder if I got a lab, but it is not stamped SUPER.... ><

Possibly, check out the response from John (letterk) at WCS in this post.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/247218-Persona-confusion?p=3412398#post3412398

Also, see post #14 and #16 in the thread above.

 

[mikey]

I believe there are four domestic-sourced Personna blades:

Made in USA
Personna Platinum Chrome ("Walmarts", "drugstore private labels")
Personna Platinum Chrome ("Barbers")

Personna Stainless Steel ("Labs")
Personna Stainless Steel ("Med Preps")

The only difference between the Walmarts and the Barbers is the Barbers are scored to be broken in two and used in a shavette.

The only difference between the Labs and the Med Preps is the Med Preps are sanitized (washed) for use in hospitals.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[mikey]

I believe there are two foreign-sourced Personna blades:

Made in Israel
Super Platinum ("Israeli Personnas", "Crystals")

Platinum Chrome ("Personna Reds", "UK Reds")

There is some debate as to the source of the Personna Reds. However, I believe they are sourced and packaged in Mexico.

Clear as mud?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[TheBigL]

I have also seen Walmart Personnas in the red/black package but the blades were printed like Red Personnas. I have also noticed that most ASR made blades have a code on them. Maybe our collective efforts might clarify things a bit if we compare those codes.

I believe there are four domestic-sourced Personna blades:

Made in USA
Personna Platinum Chrome ("Walmarts", "drugstore private labels")
Personna Platinum Chrome ("Barbers")

Personna Stainless Steel ("Labs")
Personna Stainless Steel ("Med Preps")

The only difference between the Walmarts and the Barbers is the Barbers are scored to be broken in two and used in a shavette.

The only difference between the Labs and the Med Preps is the Med Preps are sanitized (washed) for use in hospitals.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[ackvil]

I believe there are four domestic-sourced Personna blades:

Made in USA
Personna Platinum Chrome ("Walmarts", "drugstore private labels")
Personna Platinum Chrome ("Barbers")

Personna Stainless Steel ("Labs")
Personna Stainless Steel ("Med Preps")

The only difference between the Walmarts and the Barbers is the Barbers are scored to be broken in two and used in a shavette.

The only difference between the Labs and the Med Preps is the Med Preps are sanitized (washed) for use in hospitals.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,
Mike

Mike has the right answer, IMO.

The confusion about Personna blades is incredible. Only the Labs and Meds carry the Stainless Steel designation. Those are my #1 blades.

 

[xillion]

Mike has the right answer, IMO.

The confusion about Personna blades is incredible.

+1 Fantastic post Mike.

 

[edgerunner]

-= YMMV Warning =-

I've tried a few "Barber" Personna Platinum from dispensers and they shave the same:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...-Blue-Blades?p=3513543&highlight=#post3513543
These are smooth and forgiving blades that need multiple passes and will cause irritation if you're not careful not to apply pressure.
They are different than the Lab Blue

Lab Blue Personna are the most balanced blades from all Personnas and I put them between Astra SP and Perma-Sharp:
http://www.razorbladesandmore.com/content/100-lab-blue-personna-double-edge-blades

Also, I've tried Precision Personna from Fendrihan:
http://www.fendrihan.com/precision-...de-personna-israel-p-451.html?cPath=116_4_126
They claim the blades are the same as Crystal but I think they are like Red Pack Personna.

The UK version of Rad Pack Personna I bought from Connaught are wrapped in plain white paper which is different than the red one shown on the WCS site:
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Red...le-Edge-Razor-Blades--UK-Packaging_p_769.html
http://connaughtshaving.com/redpersonna.html
To me these are almost as smooth as the Barber Personna but provide a bit closer shave.

The Israeli Personna a.k.a 'Crystal' I bought from RBM are least smooth but provide very close shave and are good in aggressive OC razors.
http://www.razorbladesandmore.com/content/100-israeli-personna-double-edge-blades

This is my take on Personna blades but for sure YMMV

 

[cfender]

Let me add more confusion.

While many insist that the Lab & Med are the same blade except for an additonal preparation (cleansing?) that is peformed for the Med, several have rejected that claim and state that the blades in fact shave differently. Even with some statements coming directly from ASR that they are the same blade, there are some who challenge that claim.

Recently there were B&B posts several blades photographed under a microscope and the Lab & Med blades were noticably different in appearance.

When I A/B'd the Lab and Med a while ago I couldn't tell the difference but at that time I wasn't overly impressed with either. Last week I ran a Med for a couple of days and it was good but I don't think I have any more Labs to test again.

 

[52131]

+1

My experience is that the Med Preps (labeled For Hospital Use) are much smoother than the Labs (marked Super). There is enough difference that I feel that they can't be the same blade. Your results may vary. I am so happy with the Meds that I haven't tried any of the others.

 

[incucrash]

Righton, maybe ill try meds, then there is no confusion of what I got!

 

[iamdarkangel2005]

I believe there are two foreign-sourced Personna blades:

Made in Israel
Super Platinum ("Israeli Personnas", "Crystals")

Made in Mexico
Platinum Chrome ("Personna Reds", "UK Reds")

There is some debate as to the source of the Personna Reds. However, I believe they are sourced and packaged in Mexico.

Clear as mud?

Thanks,
Mike

Mike,

You got the right information for the SUPER PLATINUM ( ISRAELI PERSONNAS , CRYSTALS)

For Red Personnas, this is the right info.

There are 3 types currently known, all with different packing but same blades from "ISRAEL". Not to be confused with Super Platinum a.k.a (CRYSTALS).


Here are the UK Red, which were made about (2007 to 2008 (Discontinued) Still available in his shop):

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Red...le-Edge-Razor-Blades--UK-Packaging_p_769.html

Beginning of Israeli Reds for USA:

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Red-Personna-Israeli-Double-Edge-Razor-Blades_p_273.html ( This picture is the 2007~2008 Model) Discontinued on 2008



Design Changed on2009 ~2012 ( Limited Stock due to Demand, But Still Producing)

http://www.razorbladesandmore.com/content/5-red-personna-double-edge-blades
http://www.razorbladesandmore.com/content/100-israeli-red-pack-personna-blades

2010 ~2011 Available for 1 year ( Limited Stock, Discontinued Model), Made in Israel Blade with Mexican Packinging.

http://www.razorbladesandmore.com/content/10-new-red-pack-personna-double-edge-blades


I know this is confusing, but this is the right information. I think what caused the confusing was the packaging changes which hopefully Personna will not have for a while.

Any questions, just ask here. Remember to check this Guide that John Made for all members to read.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...sraeli-Made-DE-Blades?highlight=Israeli+Guide

Very educational and all questions will be answered there as well, Read entire post.

Hope this helps clear any confusions.

David

 

[Gordy2]

I have both Med Preps and Crystals. The Med Preps are sharper and also smoother due to their coating but the Crystals are very nice also and less expensive.
My top four are:
1. Perma-Sharps
2. PolySilvers
3. Med Preps
4. Crystals

 

[nymtber]

I used to swear by Lab Blue...

Till I tried a 7 O'clock SharpEdge (yellow) that I got in a blade trade here...

I then ordered 100 of the Yellows. Noticeably sharper, and as smooth as the Personna. More expensive though, but worth it.

 

[TheVez2]

Hopefully this clears up everything with regard to the American Personnas:


ASR Makes their Personna blades in 4 different "grades".

1) Stainless Steel
Packaged as: CVS house brand

2) Stainless Steel w/Comfort Coating* A.K.A. Super Stainless Steel**
Packaged as: Personna 5 pack (from Sally Beauty or WCS), Walgreens house brand, Blue wrapped Super AKA &#8221;Lab Blue&#8221;, Med Preps &#8220;Hospital Use&#8221;***

3) Platinum Chrome****
Packaged as: Personna 10 Pack (from Personna.com, Walmart.com), Exchange Select house brand (Military BX/PX)

4) Platinum Chrome w/Comfort Coating A.K.A. Super Platinum Chrome**
Packaged as: Personna 5 pack from Sally Beauty.com, Barber Personna (White wrapper)

* Comfort Coating means PTFE &#8220;Teflon&#8221; coated, and provides a smoother edge.

**&#8221;Super&#8221; on a blade just means that it has the comfort coating.

*** Med Preps &#8220;Hospital Use&#8221; are the same blade as the Labs/Lab Blue, however they go through an extra cleansing/sterilization process prior to wrapping, making them safe for hospital operating rooms.

**** Platinum Chrome blade is more durable and keeps its edge longer than Stainless Steel.




Example Packaging:
1) Stainless Steel

2) Stainless Steel w/Comfort Coating

3) Platinum Chrome

4) Platinum Chrome w/Comfort Coating

 

[incucrash]

Mine from Sallys are not chrome, same packaging as wcs, stainless, comfort coat, etc.

But they do not say super, just arrows printed

 

[cfender]

Hopefully this clears up everything with regard to the American Personnas:


ASR Makes their Personna blades in 4 different "grades".

1) Stainless Steel
Packaged as: CVS house brand

2) Stainless Steel w/Comfort Coating* A.K.A. Super Stainless Steel**
Packaged as: Personna 5 pack (from WCS), Walgreens house brand, Blue wrapped Super AKA &#8221;Lab Blue&#8221;, Med Preps &#8220;Hospital Use&#8221;***

3) Platinum Chrome****
Packaged as: Personna 10 Pack (from Personna.com, Walmart.com), Exchange Select house brand (Military BX/PX)

4) Platinum Chrome w/Comfort Coating A.K.A. Super Platinum Chrome**
Packaged as: Personna 5 pack from Sally Beauty, Barber Personna (White wrapper)

* Comfort Coating means PTFE &#8220;Teflon&#8221; coated, and provides a smoother edge.

**&#8221;Super&#8221; on a blade just means that it has the comfort coating.

*** Med Preps &#8220;Hospital Use&#8221; are the same blade as the Labs/Lab Blue, however they go through an extra cleansing/sterilization process prior to wrapping, making them safe for hospital operating rooms.

**** Platinum Chrome blade is more durable and keeps its edge longer than Stainless Steel.




Example Packaging:
1) Stainless Steel

2) Stainless Steel w/Comfort Coating

3) Platinum Chrome

4) Platinum Chrome w/Comfort Coating

TheVez2,

Thanks for taking the time to graphically show the variety of Personna blades and their attributes.

Are you saying that all of the blades in the #2 group (Stainless Steel w/ Comfort Coating) are the same blade or simply share the Stainless Steel w/ Comfort Coating attribute?

Also, the much repeated explanation that Labs and Meds are the same blade except for an additional cleansing process has been challenged recently by a B&B'r that posted microscopic photos of the 2 blades that appear to be quite different. I couldn't find the post but if anyone else can dig it up it's interesting to view.