Low cost versus quality...

[Hedgehog]

Hello there!

I hope you're all well, and safe.

I'm still enjoying my Rockwell 6C (see my review https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/index.php?threads/rockwell-6c-review.52138/#post-787483), as it remains (for the most part, talking to you Derby Extra, you tug-fest!) to be an equaliser of blades.

Although through many years of trial and error, and the consolidation of the following thought using the Rockwell 6C; I've come to the conclusion I can only use one DE blade per shave. My use case (please see my signature below) is probably very detrimental to the consistency of the blade edge.

I own many DE blades, having acquired several sample packs over the years. I've favoured a Feather on R6, and I've also experimented using smoother blades. But I have a somewhat limited knowledge of low cost versus quality. Some of the DE blades I've used are perhaps mid priced (with an exception or two) to expensive Feather, Perma Sharp, Gillette Silver Blue, Gillette Super Thin, Bic Chrome Platinum (cheap, but I didn't like it), Kai, and Bolzano Superinox.

For any experts reading my post, I do have caveats:

1. Only cardboard cases please
2. Cheap as possible (although I do appreciate the cost can be somewhat offset if purchased in bulk. However it'll be a while before I can commit to a bulk purchase)
3. No PTFE also known as Teflon. I don't even cook with Teflon, so I'd prefer not to shave with it
4. Almost (lets face it nothing is sharper) as sharp as a Feather, but smoother

I realise opinions are subjective, but I'm willing to test blades I haven't used.

Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance.

 

[Rohleder]

Cheap
Sharp
Smooth

You can pick only two of these options.

With your criteria in mind I would suggest Kai and Polsilver.

 

[Ricksplace]

I find Gillette Wilkinson Sword made in China excellent (markedly better than the made in India GSW which I also like and use). Sharp, smooth, and cheap as chips. Lately, I have been enjoying the new Gillette Winner Platinum blades. To me they feel every bit as smooth as Gillette Silver Blue. Cheap, too.
I bought the Chinese Gillette Wilkinson Swords from a seller on eBay. I queried several sellers stating that I only wanted Chinese manufactured blades. When one responded that they could supply, I ordered from that seller, specifying in the order to only ship Chinese blades. No problems.
Both blades I mentioned come in paper tucks and/or boxes. No plastic. Both blades mentioned are much cheaper than Gillette Silver Blue.

Pm your address to me and I'll mail 5 of each to you. (Could take a while from Canada to UK, particularly with the pandemic). I too have been searching for cheap excellent blades. These two are the best I've found.

 

[Hedgehog]

Cheap
Sharp
Smooth

You can pick only two of these options.

With your criteria in mind I would suggest Kai and Polsilver.

Hi Rohleder. Thanks for the recommend. I've tried Kai, and did not enjoy the shave unfortunately. I think the extra width, albeit minute, made a big difference to my experience using the Rockwell 6C.

I didn't think Polsilver was cheap, but I do have a tuck or two. Thanks for that as well, I'll give it a go!

 

[Hedgehog]

I find Gillette Wilkinson Sword made in China excellent (markedly better than the made in India GSW which I also like and use). Sharp, smooth, and cheap as chips. Lately, I have been enjoying the new Gillette Winner Platinum blades. To me they feel every bit as smooth as Gillette Silver Blue. Cheap, too.
I bought the Chinese Gillette Wilkinson Swords from a seller on eBay. I queried several sellers stating that I only wanted Chinese manufactured blades. When one responded that they could supply, I ordered from that seller, specifying in the order to only ship Chinese blades. No problems.
Both blades I mentioned come in paper tucks and/or boxes. No plastic. Both blades mentioned are much cheaper than Gillette Silver Blue.

Pm your address to me and I'll mail 5 of each to you. (Could take a while from Canada to UK, particularly with the pandemic). I too have been searching for cheap excellent blades. These two are the best I've found.

Hi Ricksplace. Thanks for your reply.

What do the Gillette Wilkinson Sword made in China look like? I ask because I may have some already. However Gillette Winner Platinum I haven't had the pleasure. Although after a brief search online they seem to be out of production.

Thanks for the kind offer. I'll let you know if my curiosity gets the better of me, although I'd be a pickle if you posted me Gillette Winner Platinum and I ended up really liking 'em!

 

[riverrun]

Cheap
Sharp
Smooth

You can pick only two of these options.

With your criteria in mind I would suggest Kai and Polsilver.

If I was a DE shaver, I'd pick "Sharp and Smooth", because, to be honest, all non-vintage DE blades are cheap.
As a non-DE vintage shaver, I'm used to paying £1+ per blade, although those will last for at least 10 shaves.

 

[donnie_arko]

Hi Ricksplace. Thanks for your reply.

What do the Gillette Wilkinson Sword made in China look like? I ask because I may have some already. However Gillette Winner Platinum I haven't had the pleasure. Although after a brief search online they seem to be out of production.

Thanks for the kind offer. I'll let you know if my curiosity gets the better of me, although I'd be a pickle if you posted me Gillette Winner Platinum and I ended up really liking 'em!

Since the lockdown has been implemented in India, blade sellers aren't making it to the post office so there aren't many Indian blades on Ebay. I'd say give it a few weeks/months and those sellers will return and I imagine it'll be possible to buy those blades again cheaply.

Gillette Wilkinson Sword are a confusing beast generally 5 blades in a tuck = MIC, 10/11 in a tuck - Indian Made.

 

[Hedgehog]

Hi Ricksplace. Thanks for your reply.

What do the Gillette Wilkinson Sword made in China look like? I ask because I may have some already. However Gillette Winner Platinum I haven't had the pleasure. Although after a brief search online they seem to be out of production.

Thanks for the kind offer. I'll let you know if my curiosity gets the better of me, although I'd be a pickle if you posted me Gillette Winner Platinum and I ended up really liking 'em!

Hi again Ricksplace. I've checked online, and found out how the Gillette Wilkinson Sword made in China look like. I do actually have some Gillette Wilkinson Sword made in India, but don't know how the compare, whether they are the same or not.

 

[Ricksplace]

The Gillette Wilkinson Sword made in China look identical to the made in India blades. I can't tell them apart. The wrappers are identical. The paper tucks look similar too, but say made in Shanghai, China rather than made in India. The Chinese blades I have came in 5 blade tucks, the Indian blades came in 10 blade tucks.

 

[Ricksplace]

I have some Supermax Blue Diamond Titanium. A few members on B&B equate them with Polsilver. Connaught has them for really cheap. While not my favourite, I would happily use them if I ran out of my favs.
I'll throw 5 of these in the envelope too if you change your mind.

 

[Hedgehog]

If I was a DE shaver, I'd pick "Sharp and Smooth", because, to be honest, all non-vintage DE blades are cheap.
As a non-DE vintage shaver, I'm used to paying £1+ per blade, although those will last for at least 10 shaves.

Hi riverrun. Thanks for your comment.

I've yet to find a SE blade I like 100%. The Schick Proline B-20 is close in my Supply (Dot 2 Plate), less so (but not awful) in my Schick 'G' Type. And not forgetting my Schick 'M' Type, but still experimenting with settings.

 

[Hedgehog]

Since the lockdown has been implemented in India, blade sellers aren't making it to the post office so there aren't many Indian blades on Ebay. I'd say give it a few weeks/months and those sellers will return and I imagine it'll be possible to buy those blades again cheaply.

Gillette Wilkinson Sword are a confusing beast generally 5 blades in a tuck = MIC, 10/11 in a tuck - Indian Made.

Hi donnie_arko. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Hedgehog]

I have some Supermax Blue Diamond Titanium. A few members on B&B equate them with Polsilver. Connaught has them for really cheap. While not my favourite, I would happily use them if I ran out of my favs.
I'll throw 5 of these in the envelope too if you change your mind.

Thanks again Ricksplace. I actually have some Supermax Blue Diamond Titanium as well. It appears I have more choices than I realised!

 

[Boycie83]

Thanks again Ricksplace. I actually have some Supermax Blue Diamond Titanium as well. It appears I have more choices than I realised!

Naturally we all have our own opinions and experiences of blades. I personally like the Blue Diamond Titanium but I find they take a shave to smooth out but then they're great. If you're using a blade once, these may not work for you. IMO of course.

 

[Hedgehog]

Naturally we all have our own opinions and experiences of blades. I personally like the Blue Diamond Titanium but I find they take a shave to smooth out but then they're great. If you're using a blade once, these may not work for you. IMO of course.

Hi Boycie83. Thanks for that. I've read that quite a few times about various DE blades online. But you are right, that particular option doesn't apply to me. Or perhaps on my second pass (having had hacked back the growth in the first pass), the blade eventually smooths out?

 

[SammieM]

I have problems with DE getting ingrown hairs all the time. It doesn't matter what razor or blade combination I use. Having said that, I also use straight razors. I do not remember ever getting an ingrown hair using the straight... Might be worth exploring.