I know that this is a divisive topic and I have had many a headache in working out and wondering if this particular batch is genuine or not. Having shaved with a few of these blades in a Fatboy G1, 1912 Single Ring and Rex Envoy XL I can only conclude that these are just the same as the older branded Super Iridium Stainless Steel Blades. 2016 seems to be the year that these were phased out of production? Sure, they don't not look great but PPI have obviously dumbed down the etching as they finished production (Petersburg Products International). I find them super smooth and super sharp every time - Get some of my closest shaves out of these comparing to the likes of Feather, Gillette Silver Blues and Rapira Platinum Lux (change my blades every three shaves). Have a look at the photos of this batch. Keen to hear what you guys think about this? I know many mention that the Y is different on the individual packs but on the main sleeve its the normal regular Y. I am keeping an open mind however and am really interested to find out about everyone's individual experience with this particular version without the super iridium branding.
Polsilver - Last Batch of 2016?! (I do not think these are fakes)
- Thread starter ImpalaB12
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See here:
www.badgerandblade.com
Yours have the same branding as the fake sleeve I bought, both on the tucks and the blade stamp. Mine did not shave well, though.
Review: Fake Polsilver SI vs The Real Thing
Recently I purchased 100 Polsilver Super Iridiums. It was quickly pointed out to me when I posted in the Latest 100 Blade Purchase thread that these blades were more than likely cheap Chinese knock-offs. Disappointed, but undeterred, I decided to see for myself. Today I loaded one into my razor...
www.badgerandblade.com
Yours have the same branding as the fake sleeve I bought, both on the tucks and the blade stamp. Mine did not shave well, though.
Just get some Wizamets, please. Or some Perma-Sharp Supers. Better to stop chasing the mythical Polsilvers, though they were good, for their time.
More of the same…
Last time I run these they were ok for like 3 shaves whereas the nice ones held up easily for 8 or more. I hope you didn’t pay a fortune for them.
Last time I run these they were ok for like 3 shaves whereas the nice ones held up easily for 8 or more. I hope you didn’t pay a fortune for them.
These are the ones I have.
The one on the left (with the straight y in Zyletek) is among the best blade I have ever used; sharp and smooth, excellent blades.
The one on the right (with the curved y in Zyletek) is just not a very good blade, certainly a bottom-tier blade.
I agree with @NorthernSoul, the Wizamets are as good if not better than the original PolSilvers.
The one on the left (with the straight y in Zyletek) is among the best blade I have ever used; sharp and smooth, excellent blades.
The one on the right (with the curved y in Zyletek) is just not a very good blade, certainly a bottom-tier blade.
I agree with @NorthernSoul, the Wizamets are as good if not better than the original PolSilvers.
- Thread starter
- #6
Interesting responses from you all but this and these response’s - is nothing new. It’s easy to label something a fake but there is literally no proof. I think too much emotion is invested in these discontinued products. These do seem genuine the fact they are date stamped 2016. Remember I’m only discussing this batch not the old version 
. Btw experienced wet shavers like myself are not new to the polsilver , don’t appreciate the irony when I’ve done decent research. Wasn’t born yesterday.
. Btw experienced wet shavers like myself are not new to the polsilver , don’t appreciate the irony when I’ve done decent research. Wasn’t born yesterday.
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Well, there is two sorts of corroboration (proof is probably too strong a word).
1. The shave. Doing a direct comparison between the "fakes" and the "originals" confirmed to me, and others, that these blades are not even close in performance.
2. Occam's Razor. Ask yourself, why would the manufacturer rebrand the packaging (at considerable expense) and only make minute changes (the font and the colour of the tuck)? Why, if they were the same blade, would the blade engraving suddenly change?
It wouldn't: they have been produced on different machines. None of this would make commercial sense unless these were blades produced cheaply enough to warrant some small investment in attempting to replicate branding known to be catnip to affluent western markets.
These have all the hallmarks of a scam. The people that regard them with suspicion here do so with good reason. You, of course, can still enjoy shaving with them, as many others do.
You asked for opinions. Evidently, you only wanted opinions that agree with your own! Sorry, I didn't realize!Interesting responses from you all but this and these response’s - is nothing new. It’s easy to label something a fake but there is literally no proof. I think too much emotion is invested in these discontinued products. These do seem genuine the fact they are date stamped 2016. Remember I’m only discussing this batch not the old version
Polsilvers were my go-to blade until they got discontinued. Nothing else used to touch my face.
After years of search, Now this privilege goes to the Gillette Platinum, from the same PPI factory.
I recently came across a NOS Polsilvers tuck and I have to say, the Gillette Platinums are better. Same comfort but shaves closer and lasts as long as the polsilvers.
In B&B some discontinued products are elevated to a legendary status that were unwarranted when they were readily available (polsilvers, tradere, Floid blue, …).
After years of search, Now this privilege goes to the Gillette Platinum, from the same PPI factory.
I recently came across a NOS Polsilvers tuck and I have to say, the Gillette Platinums are better. Same comfort but shaves closer and lasts as long as the polsilvers.
In B&B some discontinued products are elevated to a legendary status that were unwarranted when they were readily available (polsilvers, tradere, Floid blue, …).
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In the long thread @alin found some generic blades on AliE with the same blade stamps. So if you like how yours shave you might get those as well and see if they work for you. In the best case you found a cheaper and readily available source.
Myself I stocked up on Wizamet and Perma-Sharp.
Myself I stocked up on Wizamet and Perma-Sharp.
Those blades are the subject of much controversy. They are not authentic Polsilver. But I bought a large quantity of similarly labeled blades and they were decent. Not great like the real deal. But decent enough. Others have reported horrible results. But mine aren't bad. However I give a lot of them away, as I have a bunch of real Polsilvers and lots of Wizamets. Thousand or so. So I don't really use them. They may be counterfeit. Or they may be Grey marlet blades. But we may never know. Shave with them and judge for yourself.
I agree that the Gillette Platinum is a very fine blade. I don't think I ever gave the Polsilver enough of a test, and now I don't want to use up the few I have left.
Yep, these are definitely the fakes. If you read the thread that Multum in Parvo referenced you will see they are identical to a certain supply of generic Chinese blades, and have been repackaged in fake Polsilver boxes (likely by someone in Poland). You can buy the blades very much cheaper direct from China if you like them (without the ’Polsilver’ box).
Be a little careful with them. I had a few and some of the blade wrappers had become glued to the inside of the box, so when I took a blade out the wrapper ripped and the blade cut my finger. I haven’t tried shaving with one - I didn’t see the point. Again, even more evidence that these blades have nothing to do with Gillette manufacturing and quality control.
Be a little careful with them. I had a few and some of the blade wrappers had become glued to the inside of the box, so when I took a blade out the wrapper ripped and the blade cut my finger. I haven’t tried shaving with one - I didn’t see the point. Again, even more evidence that these blades have nothing to do with Gillette manufacturing and quality control.
Took one more picture of mine since I noticed the numbers on the box of my "bad" blades were not shown. It's interesting that they match the numbers in your picture exactly.
And like @NorthernSoul I'm confused that you were "really interested to find out about everyone's individual experience with this particular version without the super iridium branding." and then seem upset when we replied. No one questioned your research or when you were born....
rbscebu
Girls call me Makaluod
So what if they are fake. It's how they shave and last that matters, unless you like paying for a brand name.
Which unfortunately is the case - the markup is considerable, unicorn tears and so forth...
Just get some Wizamets, please. Or some Perma-Sharp Supers. Better to stop chasing the mythical Polsilvers, though they were good, for their time.
Polsilvers are still ‘good’ and for any time IMO. Great blades!! And I also enjoy Wizamets!!
By the way, another way to tell the fakes is that the blade tabs are more rounded than the real Polsilvers, or any other genuine Gillette blade. All Gillette blades have the same tabs, and these ones were not made in a Gillette factory.
- Thread starter
- #19
Entirely your opinion, which you are entitled toYou asked for opinions. Evidently, you only wanted opinions that agree with your own! Sorry, I didn't realize!
- Thread starter
- #20
