Sharpness Questions (Sharpest Blades to use)

[kiranerwin]

Hi All,

Quite new here but managed to get some blades that I like. Currently my favourite are Gillette Silver Blue and Feather (Silver Blue a little bit over Feather) - seems a little smoother on skin.

Could you advise me on any blades I should try?


Kiran

 

[lasta]

Hi Kiran,

You started with some of the best blades ever made! Get 100 of each and you won't be missing much. GSB is my all time No 1, Feather is also a solid top 5.

Perma-Sharp is probably No 2, giving GSB a tough fight, maybe one day take over. A bit sharper, *maybe a smidge less smooth.
Nacet: Similar to Perma Sharp, maybe a bit less smooth.
Wizamet: similar to GSB, maybe a hair less sharp, but not too noticeable. Sometimes I forget which is which.

My 6-10 are mostly vintage, they are almost as good as modern Gillettes, but hard to find so I'll hold them back.

 

[rbscebu]

I could advise you but you may become addicted and shorten your life.

 

[@ngel]

If by sharp you mean sharp, then you’ve got it, Feather is top tier for sharpness, but it is a majority consensus they don't last long. GSB are also one of the top players.

My favorites of all time have being Polsilver super iridium. But they are starting to be an unobtanium item since their production was discontinued, not the sharpest, but they last long and stay smooth even longer.

 

[Vlad97]

If you like Feathers (or sharp blades i.e.), try BIC Chrome Platinum! They're almost the same sharp on the 1st shave, but what's more, they last sharp muuuch longer. So the average sharpness is even better + they're cheaper. Give it a try!

 

[NorthernSoul]

Some of these have already been posted above:
- Feather
- KAI
- BIC Chrome Platinum
- Gillette 7 O'clock Black (India)
- Personna Med Prep & Personna Lab Blue
- Perma-Sharp Super (Russia, gold & red pack)
- Gillette Nacet

You can also search the forum for people's list of favorite blades and get some good feedback about them.

 

[BigJ]

Blades are very much YMMV. That said, my personal ’top-tier’ in no particular order:
GSB
Wizamet SI (or Polsilvers)
Astra SP
Nacet
Personna lab
Personna red

 

[JAHE]

Some of these have already been posted above:
- Feather
- KAI
- BIC Chrome Platinum
- Gillette 7 O'clock Black (India)
- Personna Med Prep & Personna Lab Blue
- Perma-Sharp Super (Russia, gold & red pack)
- Gillette Nacet

You can also search the forum for people's list of favorite blades and get some good feedback about them.

Great list.

The only blade I'd like to add to this list is the chinese made Gillette Wilkinson Sword, which is a sharp yet smooth blade. The German Wilkinson Sword gets an honorable mention, too.

 

[VerbaVolant]

You can put Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge (yellow) on that list.
Perma-Sharp Super is already listed.

 

[DEgeezer]

IMO these four are the sharpest of the blades that I've used. But there are many blades out there that I've yet to try.
Kai
Feather
Nacet
GSB

 

[Rhody]

My vote: kai

 

[JCarr]

Gillette Wilkinson Sword
Bic Astor
Wilkinson Sword
Shark Platinum
Sharp Titanium
Gillette Silver Blue

 

[Chandu]

I need sharp enough blades, but not necessarily the sharpest. For those that actually need a Feather, they may be the smoothest. Lots of us run along on the Germany Wilkies, the U.S. Made Personnas, and German Muhles as good blades. I don't have the densest beard, but what I have is like wire and grows quick enough to wear I need to shave daily. In razors other than the Feather AS-D2 I have not favored the Feather, but the others I mentioned.

 

[Dobric]

Nacet...

 

[musicman1951]

If you've only tried those two I suggest you get 10 others. It's possible you have a beard that doesn't require the sharpest blades available and you may just find something that makes you happier at a lower price. I would suggest Personna Med Prep and Wizamet for you list.

 

[StewB]

If you are new to DE razors, my advice would be to stick with a single blade brand for a while to make sure you've got good technique, in order to reduce the number of variables in your shaves. After you're sure your technique is good (you're getting good quality shaves without irritation), then you can try different blades to find which work well for you.

 

[RayClem]

When evaluating razor blades, be sure to use them for several shaves. Most blades today have a coating. As the coating wears off after a shave or two, the performance changes.

Feather blades are the very sharpest blades out of the wrapper. However, many people find that super sharp edge to be fragile. While the first couple of shaves are great, the edge can deteriorate to the point the blade feels harsh, especially if your skin is sensitive.

BIC Chrome Platinum blades are not quite as sharp as Feather blades out of the wrapper, but after a shave or two, they become just as sharp. For some folks, they are too sharp. For my tough beard, they are great.

Gillette Nacet and Permasharp Super blades are quite sharp, but not as sharp as the previous blades.

Some blades like 7 O'Clock Super Platinum (black), Personna Comfort Coated (lab blues), and Wilkenson Sword Classic (German) have a rather thick coating. The first shave will be very smooth, but only mid-sharp. As the coating wears off, they will rival the sharpest blades.

Personna Platinum Chrome blades are excellent.

Some less commonly touted blades that I find to be both sharp and smooth are Dorco Prime Platinum, Durablade Sharp Titanium, Lord/Shark Platinum and Vidyut Super Max Blue Diamond.

For my tough beard, I do not find Gillette Platinum and Gillette Silver Blue blades to be quite sharp enough. However, if you are a more typical shaver, they might be ideal. There are some who consider Astra Superior Platinum blades to be sharp. While I like Astra Superior Stainless blades to be sharp, I have never gotten a good shave from Astra SP blades because my beard is too coarse. Among more typical shavers, Astra SP blades are a best seller.

Your preference in blades will depend upon your beard condition, your skin sensitivity, your shaving technique, and your choice of razors. I tend to use the very sharpest blades in milder razors and slightly less sharp blades in more aggressive razors.

 

[lasta]

When evaluating razor blades, be sure to use them for several shaves. Most blades today have a coating. As the coating wears off after a shave or two, the performance changes.

Feather blades are the very sharpest blades out of the wrapper. However, many people find that super sharp edge to be fragile. While the first couple of shaves are great, the edge can deteriorate to the point the blade feels harsh, especially if your skin is sensitive.

BIC Chrome Platinum blades are not quite as sharp as Feather blades out of the wrapper, but after a shave or two, they become just as sharp. For some folks, they are too sharp. For my tough beard, they are great.

Gillette Nacet and Permasharp Super blades are quite sharp, but not as sharp as the previous blades.

Some blades like 7 O'Clock Super Platinum (black), Personna Comfort Coated (lab blues), and Wilkenson Sword Classic (German) have a rather thick coating. The first shave will be very smooth, but only mid-sharp. As the coating wears off, they will rival the sharpest blades.

Personna Platinum Chrome blades are excellent.

Some less commonly touted blades that I find to be both sharp and smooth are Dorco Prime Platinum, Durablade Sharp Titanium, Lord/Shark Platinum and Vidyut Super Max Blue Diamond.

For my tough beard, I do not find Gillette Platinum and Gillette Silver Blue blades to be quite sharp enough. However, if you are a more typical shaver, they might be ideal. There are some who consider Astra Superior Platinum blades to be sharp. While I like Astra Superior Stainless blades to be sharp, I have never gotten a good shave from Astra SP blades because my beard is too coarse. Among more typical shavers, Astra SP blades are a best seller.

Your preference in blades will depend upon your beard condition, your skin sensitivity, your shaving technique, and your choice of razors. I tend to use the very sharpest blades in milder razors and slightly less sharp blades in more aggressive razors.

Hi Ray,

"Blade are YMMV" have been touted for ages. I agree with most of your observations on feather, Bic, Nacet, and Permasharp. But, IMO GSB's are not far behind Perma Sharp and Nacet, whereas Lord/Shark and Super Max are on the duller end. Maybe the sensation of roughness can sometimes be associated with perceived sharpness.

Just throwing out the idea. I like my blades on the sharp end too. Blades are for cutting after all!

 

[Contact_vs_Feedback]

In addition to the above mentioned blades, I'll add R K Stainless Steel Blade.

They cost 1$ per 100 blades in India, and they are good for one shave, maybe two shaves but the shaves are great.

 

[MoreArtful]

......Feather blades are the very sharpest blades out of the wrapper. However, many people find that super sharp edge to be fragile. While the first couple of shaves are great, the edge can deteriorate to the point the blade feels harsh, especially if your skin is sensitive..........

Not my experience. Same sharpness from first to last shave. But my complexion ain't yours.