What is your test blade?

[JKaboom]

I've only been DE shaving a few months. Currently I'm going through a 2 each 15 blade sampler. I try each kind on my 1940's tech razor and new Murker progress.

I've used a few Astra SP blades that I had a 10 ok of. I like this blade well and will continue on through the sampler.

Recently however I purchased a super speed, 1960 fatboy, and Schick Krona.

My question is, what do you all use as your "test blade" to see how a razor generally performs?

 

[lasta]

It's not so much YMMV as going with a blade that you are most familiar with. For me, that's GSB, I've probably used 250 throughout the years.

If Astra is agreeable, might as well work it into a benchmark. Most people find it a good blade with very little surprises.

 

[BradWorld]

My test blade for any new razor is Astra SP. It’s a good no nonsense, middle of the road blade with the perfect balance of sharpness and smoothness. I usually tend to gravitate towards sharper blades after that, but I usually start with the Astra SP.

 

[Space_Cadet]

I don't have a single test blade. Razors perform differently with different blades. Some combinations are better than others.

 

[Andris83]

German Wilkinson. Sharp enough and smooth (for me).

 

[rudygu]

Personna Platinum (made in Germany)

 

[BradWorld]

I don't have a single test blade. Razors perform differently with different blades. Some combinations are better than others

Agreed, but if you were to get a new razor, for which you are unfamiliar, what would be that go-to blade that you would try first in that new razor?

 

[Space_Cadet]

Agreed, but if you were to get a new razor, for which you are unfamiliar, what would be that go-to blade that you would try first in that new razor?

Well, if I was hard-pressed to pick one blade I guess it would be the Wizamet Super Iridium.

 

[Big_T]

I always use an Astra SP with a new razor. It is my test standard because I have used hundreds or probably thousands of them so I'm very familiar with the Astra blade.

 

[BigJ]

Great question!

To ’test’ a new razor, I run through my ‘top-tier’ blades (in no particular order):
Astra SP
Wizamet SI (or Polsilver)
GSB
Nacet
Personna lab (or med prep)
Personna red (Israeli)

 

[mikhou]

Tatra Platinum, Gillette 7 o’clock green, KCG (if I have them on hand; otherwise, too expensive), Permasharp

 

[RayClem]

When trying out a new razor, it is best to try it with several different blades with which you have familiarity. Sometimes a razor will work great with one blade, but not so much with another. You can use nearly any razor if you pair it with the right blade. As a general rule, if the razor is more aggressive, use a less aggressive blade. Use super sharp blades in a mild razor.

 

[ShortRound131]

Gillette Nacet is my benchmark blade.

 

[SharpieB]

Haven’t really thought about it but likely anything except a Feather, KAI or BIC as these can be great or awful depending on the razor.

Personna Israeli Red I guess, if I really wanted to compare different razors. And just because I have almost 1000 Personnas and use them a lot.

 

[Tume]

Personna Platinum (Germany) or Wilkinson Sword (Germany)

 

[ehscott]

I use either of my favorite blades, the Perma Sharp Super or Personna Platinum (old Israeli ones). I've had enough shaves to know how they shave, so I can properly assess a new razor. To me, these blades are the right balance of sharp and smooth (on the sharper side, but I tend to use too much pressure and mangle my face with blades that aren't the sharpest)

 

[Quaznoid]

I use only Lord Plats and Rainbow Stainless, which perform similarly, so my “test” blade would be one of them.

 

[dmshaver]

I use a Nacet as my “test” blade. It’s my #1 blade & it works extremely well and almost all of my razors.

 

[LRod]

Personna Lab Blue's are my go to blades. Not only are they my test blades but my daily use blades period.
They seem to work well in everything!
As soon as I started using them, I stopped using all my other blades.

 

[lancre]

I use a pre-2016 Derby Extra as my opening blade with any new razor. You never forget your first, and it's the blade I'm most familiar with. Other blades may be better, but I know the Derby like no other blade.