Red Personna vs Astra SP

[RedKen]

I've been using Gillette Swedes for over a year now, but was recently introduced to Red Personnas. I must admit the shave with the Reds is smooth, irritation free and what I guess is a DFS, and gave me hope that there was life after Swedes!

The B&B forums and reviews lead me to believe that Astra SP's were even smoother than Reds, sharper and gave a closer shave. I've now tried the Astras but after 3 shaves I'm still getting nicks and my face feels sore after 2 passes. Closeness of shave doesn't seem any better.

Obviously the B&B members out there can't all be wrong, and I know YMMV, but why such different results for me? I'm using the same razor for both blades - EJ DL89L.

I also have a slim adjustable, ball end tech and a flare tip SS. Are Astra's better suited to any of these razors?

Thoughts, words of wisdom appreciated.

 

[Kenno]

hi,

i use both and would have to say the reds are better. astra's ain't bad but are less forgiving. the reds are sharper too and more consistent.

 

[DE Shaver]

I've used both and would have to give the nod to the Astra SP. The Red Pack Personna felt a little more harsh to me, while the Astra blades have a smoother shave. However, depending on your technique and other factors (e.g. lather) it may not to be the case. To me, when you get nicks and cut as well as irritation, it signifies too much pressure, while tugging and pulling is more indicative of a dull or unsuitable blade. A technique adjustment s possibly in order.

Also a razor, as you surmised, can have a significant impact on how a blade can shave. You should probably experiment with the slim adjustable if you want to keep on using Astra SP blades, use different settings. If you still cannot make these blades work then they are not for you.

 

[Danuhoh]

For the Astra

 

[jlindy]

I use both and from my experience it's just about a dead heat between the two. The Astra's might be just a tad sharper, and the Personna's might be a tad smoother. Both are good blades, and worth having in your kit. The disparity in your results may be more a function of technique than anything else. Practice makes perfect, or at least close enough

 

[Moe]

Both are good blades, with the Astra a tad sharper and thus less forgiving of putting excess pressure on the razor when shaving. Use a lighter touch. The Astra is considerably more expensive and IMO only worth that for those with heavier beards. The Red Packs are sharp enough for most. I see the Red Packs now cost more than the Crystals at West Coast Shaving (by the 100 which is the only way I buy 'em) and I find the Crystals to be almost identical to the Red Packs. I could shave for the rest of my life with either and be happy.

 

[americanarmsdealer]

Try an SP in your SS. I find this combination to be nothing short of PHENOMENAL!!

 

[Medic_Coop]

I love the Astra SP. I hate the IRP. The Astra SP is very smooth and irritation free. The IRP gives me irritation and a rough painful shave.

 

[Buck Melanoma]

I use both and from my experience it's just about a dead heat between the two. The Astra's might be just a tad sharper, and the Personna's might be a tad smoother. Both are good blades, and worth having in your kit. The disparity in your results may be more a function of technique than anything else. Practice makes perfect, or at least close enough

As a user of both, I would agree entirely, although I would add that I find I like the Astras in more razors and lean toward them slightly.

The RPs are smooth and fine blades, but I have a lot of thick growth and the Astra's sharpness gives it the edge (no pun intended, rest assured).

 

[TheChefs]

I like both of them. Astras are sharper and give me closer shave, but I need to make sure my lather is spot on and very slick not to get irritation. But that is true for all sharp blades. RPI are less sharp, smoother, less forgiving of bad technique and lather, but my shave isn't as close and it's always irritation free.

If I need a fast shave in the morning I always reach for RPI. I would try Astras in your other razors before you decide if you want to keep using them or not.

 

[huckler]

The Red Personna and Astra SP are the only two blades I have tried so far from my blade sampler. I generally agree with the previous comments. The Astras give me a closer shave and are sharper, so you have to be careful about putting too much pressure. The Red Personnas result in a less close shave with less irritation. I have heard good reviews for both blades, so it just depends on each individual person and razor.

 

[El Judio Bravo]

Try an SP in your SS. I find this combination to be nothing short of PHENOMENAL!!

Lately my mantra is "Try another razor". Derby is a very popular blade and I used it in my Weishi and was dissatisfied with the "feel" of the thing. The same brand in my Treet Delrin felt very good indeed. So, no unnecessary waste of brand new blades for me. If at first it doesn't succeed, I have five more chances to use a new blade.

 

[talibeard]

I use both but only now and then. I would agree the IRP's are smoother. In sharpness they are both above average in my book but nothing special either. The Astra's have a harshness (like all Russian made P&G blades) about them of which I blame the coatings they use; the Astra SS is much nicer to my skin, as are all Asian made (coated) P&G blades.

 

[Saunterer]

Try an SP in your SS. I find this combination to be nothing short of PHENOMENAL!!

I second this opinion...

The Red Personnas were great blades when I tried them, but on shave #3 they started to fizzle out. But the Astra's held up for shave #5 and gave me consistant BBS results.

 

[Dave Deluxe]

I have used both blades with my EJ 89L, and prefer the Astra Sp's. I use this combination for three days out of the week, with the remaining four days of the occupied by SE shaving. The nice thing about the Astra's is that they are really inexpensive, $11.00 per 100, at "Barbers Depot".

DD

 

[RedKen]

Left it a day to let my face recover and this morning tried the Astra SP in my Super Speed. Didn't want to push my luck so only 2 passes, WTG & XTG, with a small ATG touch up. totally different shave to before! Much smoother and closer.

so IP Reds for the EJ DL89L and Astra SP for the SS.

BTW I guess the SS is approx setting 3-4 on a slim adjustable? Anyone know what the blade gap is on a DL89? Either in mm or slim equivalent.

Uh uh - just seen a thread on Kai blades!!!! Anyone know where I can get these in the UK??

 

[Ghostwriter]

These are the top two blades that I've found for my face so far. I find the Astra gives me a better, closer shave. The red Israeli also works good, especially if I'm going fast and being a little bit careless. Neither chews up my face.

 

[Cubits]

The astra in a tech lets me go to town without a care. I haven't found it to be anything but smooth and forgiving.

The reds felt a little grabbier without being sharper. I'm going to guess that it's a user issue, which means that the astra is more forgiving of my sloppy technique.

One day i'll work it out, then i'll try the feathers again... For now, a 100 pack of astra's sets me back 15USD, and i'm fine with that!

 

[Joe Edson]

Astras SP for me never give me a smooth shave. I much prefer the Israeli RPs over Astras. As with everything though YMMV

 

[Marco]

I like the Astras SP and LOVE the Red Personnas blades. Or, if you prefer, while the Astras are good, the RED PERSONNAS ARE THE BEST.