Gillette Minora

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I recently did a swap via Mail with a SA poster on another forum and finally received 100 of the rare PPI Gillette Minora blades made for the South African market. I had used a tuck back in 2014 or so when West Coast Shaving in the USA had some, although exorbitantly priced. Razor Blades Club sells them as well, but cheap they ain't!!


Are they groundbreaking? No, in the sense that all PPI Gillette blades shave spectacular IMO. They shave similar to all other top tier ones made in St. Petersburg, i.e., excellent!! At this point in the game I am more inclined to believe that the soap/cream you use is more important than the Gillette blade IF you have done good prep and have mastered proper technique. Regardless, I enjoy the hunt for modern obscure Gillette blades, especially those made in China. I only have two left in the latter category to try as no one in Asia wants to ship to the Western World due to the taxes and hassles. :cry:

These two:


 
You've got me curious now and I've no doubt @donnie_arko will be keen to try these when he sees them

Thanks for tag Boyce, I've not tried the Minora as I've been put off the price, but ditto with BM about the two other MIC Gillette blades mostly the London Bridge blade as it's a rebranding of a classic UK blade which was made by the Wilkinson Sword factory. I've not tried those or the MIC Super Nacet/Thin which are supposed to be excellent.
The new London Bridge is the one I am after the most mainly for the excellent artwork!

I recently did a swap via Mail with a SA poster on another forum and finally received 100 of the rare PPI Gillette Minora blades made for the South African market. I had used a tuck back in 2014 or so when West Coast Shaving in the USA had some, although exorbitantly priced. Razor Blades Club sells them as well, but cheap they ain't!!


Are they groundbreaking? No, in the sense that all PPI Gillette blades shave spectacular IMO. They shave similar to all other top tier ones made in St. Petersburg, i.e., excellent!! At this point in the game I am more inclined to believe that the soap/cream you use is more important than the Gillette blade IF you have done good prep and have mastered proper technique. Regardless, I enjoy the hunt for modern obscure Gillette blades, especially those made in China. I only have two left in the latter category to try as no one in Asia wants to ship to the Western World due to the taxes and hassles. :cry:

BM, out of curiousity which other PPI blade is the Minora most like?

I'm in agreement the soap/cream makes the biggest difference, well the lather does and I've found with a well functioning synth brush with a decentish soap seems to make the most difference.

Btw, as much as I like PPI blades and see them to be the benchmark for quality and performance (my top tier PPI blades include Permasharp, Platinum, Astra SS, Nacet) I've found two Indian ones to have become my favourites the 7 Black and Winner Platinum; they seem to suit my face & razors in my rotation (Ball End/Fat Handle Tech & Yaqi DOC) the most.
 
...BM, out of curiousity which other PPI blade is the Minora most like?...

I'm in agreement the soap/cream makes the biggest difference, well the lather does and I've found with a well functioning synth brush with a decentish soap seems to make the most difference...

Is that even a word? :ROFLMAO: ;)

Btw, as much as I like PPI blades and see them to be the benchmark for quality and performance (my top tier PPI blades include Permasharp, Platinum, Astra SS, Nacet) I've found two Indian ones to have become my favourites the 7 Black and Winner Platinum; they seem to suit my face & razors in my rotation (Ball End/Fat Handle Tech & Yaqi DOC) the most.

I have some Gillette Super Nacet and IMO the Thai market Super Thin Stainless is a better blade as is the Goal Super Platinum. FWIW, a Filipino poster on another forum said the Rubie Ultra Stainless is a better blade than the Gillette London Bridge. As I haven't tried either of them I don't know. I have used a Winner blade and it is indeed a fine blade, better even than the Chinese Gillette Wilkinson Sword blade IMO.

I can only reiterate that we are probably counting how many angels can dance on the head of a pin here as many of the aforementioned blades are so damn close in performance. :unsure: That said, the Minora Platinum shaves like a regular Gillette Platinum to me, which is to say excellent.
 
Is that even a word? :ROFLMAO: ;)



I have some Gillette Super Nacet and IMO the Thai market Super Thin Stainless is a better blade as is the Goal Super Platinum. FWIW, a Filipino poster on another forum said the Rubie Ultra Stainless is a better blade than the Gillette London Bridge. As I haven't tried either of them I don't know. I have used a Winner blade and it is indeed a fine blade, better even than the Chinese Gillette Wilkinson Sword blade IMO.

I can only reiterate that we are probably counting how many angels can dance on the head of a pin here as many of the aforementioned blades are so damn close in performance. :unsure: That said, the Minora Platinum shaves like a regular Gillette Platinum to me, which is to say excellent.

It's a word that probably only exists in my dictionary (yet to be published)!

Thanks for the info BM. The Minora performing like the Platinum makes sense, I find the Rubie to be quite close to the Platinum as well; IMO they are PPI's 'top tier' blades.

Sadly I can't see many outside the intended markets getting their hands on the Rubie Stainless and London Bridge. The latter are incredibly cheap in Vietnam, at around £2.5 for 100, the Rubie Stainless seems about £0.80 for 6.

IMO, all the Gillette factories (currently in production) around the world be it PPI, India or China make some superb blades, and they know they are doing for sure. I read good things about the Brazilian made Platinum Plus ones but never had a chance to try any out.
 
...I read good things about the Brazilian made Platinum Plus ones but never had a chance to try any out.

Yes, Gillette imported their NOS made in Brasil Platinum Plus blades into the USA in 2016 - 17 for sale in a few limited locations and it flopped. They were removed from the shelves with only a few getting to Dollar Store type discounters. It seems many ended up on Ebay on the hands of price "gougers" and there they remain. I was fortunate to get a few hundred on closeout before they were yanked entirely from retail.

I also have a few 3 blade tucks of the Gillette Wilkinson Sword blade made in Brasil which are excellent. Interestingly, those were originally made by PPI for sale in Brasil before Gillette started making them there.


I also have some Gillette Mejorada made in Brasil & Mexico in the past. Good blades both. I have to admit however that the Thai market Super Thin Stainless is tough to beat and can be bought in bulk. Just watch out for fakes. ;)

P.S. I have some bonafide Super Gillette Blue blades as made in China currently which are excellent, but alas are probably the most faked by counterfeiters.
 
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