I’m four shaves in, to my return to safety razors, after 40 years. The razor I bought was a Vikings Blade adjustable. It’s a nice razor, but should have done the research first. So it came with five of their mild blades. At the time, I had no idea what that meant. Now I know. First shave was great. Nice and close. Second, and third shave was not so good. The mild blades were not for my course beard, and was dulled during the first shave. After much more research, I’ve ordered a Rockwell 6S, and ordered one 5, or 10 pack of every blade the shop carried. Let the fun begin. 😉
I love that you can change razors and blades and find that one blade in a particular razor is better than others. If I find a blade that is not very comfortable I will try it in a number of different razors before I give up on it. Thanks Matt love the videos!😊
I have found the wealth of information Matt provides through these videos is priceless. Matt is the one who mentioned to me in an email that he has found the Bolzano blades to be excellent. I am a daily shaver, and after many years of trying different shave creams, shave gels and other products that enhance a shave, Bolzano is by far one of the best double edge blades that I use with my shaving approach. Each individual will likely experience different results with the razors, blades and shave creams/gels. Don't give up, find what is best that works for you. I find the Bolzano gives as close of a shave as a Feather, but with less "razor burn" - I just get a smoother, more pleasant shave with the Bolzano. I have tried a NUMBER of blades and razors in my quest for the optimal shave. Without Matt, I don't think I would have discovered Bolzano blades. They are the top 2 or 3 blades for me. Thanks, Matt! Your videos are awesome and priceless!
You rated Gillette Platinum at 4.75 out of 5.0 in a previous video. I have used the Feather and Gillette Platinum. Feather is the sharpest blade I have ever used. However, my neck took a while to “calm down” after using a Feather. No doubt the closet shave I have ever had was with a Feather but I paid for it with loss of comfort. My favourite blade is the Gillette Platinum. Why? Because you get a blade almost as sharp as a Feather but with much more comfort. Having a close, comfortable shave beats having “the closest shave” any day. Luckily I only bought a tuck of 10 Feather blades.
the blade that came with my 34c was pretty good. and them astra is so far the best consistant blade ive had. the chrome shark was also very good, not the regular stainless though. a lot of this is based on the production for that day when it was made though.
When I bought my REX Ambassador a few weeks ago I decided to get a couple of sample packs of blades to really try the new razor out. I am really glad that I did. I plan to do this every few years to remind myself of what is out there and what might have changed my mind.
I find Rockwells are not as dull as you find them to be. Nacets are my favs. I find the Rockwell works well on my merkur, while muhles and feathers on my Karve...nacets are golden all around. Three generations of my family has been using nacets...so maybe nostalgia has something to do with it...
We share the same beard type, I started (a few years back) with the Rockwell R1 and I remember liking their blades. Later I tried the Astra greens, and to this day they give me razor burns for some reason. Now I’ve settled on Feathers, they glide effortlessly and I get no burns. Great video series 👍🏼
I’m finding that the same blade performs differently in different razors and then even soaps can change the outcome. There are three variables and the combinations are endless. The experience never gets boring 👍
I agree 100% I recently tried Kai blades in my Gillette Red Tip and did not like them at all, but I put one in my Rockwell 6C with the number 3 plate on it and it was very nice
Interesting comparison test. I know beard type is another factor also which razor you use. Can you get BIC razor blades in the US. I use them here in England and they are very good IMO. Not to be be confused with the BIC disposable razors which are awful.
It's always funny when I find a blade I don't like in most razors (German Wilkinson Sword) and then I try it in a certain razor (Mühle Rocca) and it's the absolute perfect combination. The Shark stainless is one of my favorites in the Ambassador. The more blade feel a razor has, the harder it is to find good blades for it. Just about everything works in a Tech/Super Speed for me. I've recently tried and liked Gillette Minora and Super Thin. The Super Thins might take over top spot from Nacet. I highly recommend them.
The Super Thin are only comfortable in the mildest of my razors, where as Shark are unusable for me. I LOVE the German Wilkinson Sword and the Dorco😅😅😅
The Wilkinson Sword is one of my favorites in a Rex Konsul, right up there with a Kai but it stays sharp longer than the Kai. The Rockwell, Astra and Personna are really good in the Konsul. But the Parker and Kent of Inglewood blades are terrible in the Konsul. Dull as a butter knife almost.
I have a course beard and sensitive skin, I may actually have a more course beard than most, so the feather blade has been the only blade I've used for years now, I can go Astra since they are close, but I can't really go below those it tugs my hair. My beard is so thick and course that even going against the grain with a feather blade I can still feel the hair. I'm currently growing out my beard at the moment and its cool, but yeah my beard is wirey lol.
The standard Shark 🦈 was the very first blade I ever tried/used when I performed my first traditional wetshave back in 2011. I remember them being extremely comfortable and sharp/no tug etc, but revisiting them today 12 years later they are not even even close to sharp enough for my beard today. My beard has gotten tougher and coarser and thicker as I’ve gone from age 22 to 34 and it takes a 4 to a 4 1/2 star blade to shave it now.
Rockwells - ok in mild razors only and do cut well in combination with a rich lubricant lather. Bolzano - one of my favourites; go well with aggressive and mild razors. Dorco Prime - super smooth and efficient; surprised they didn't work on you. Sharks - daily go-to blades; ok but not brilliant. Permasharp - one level sharper than Bolzano. Nacet - somewhere in the middle between Permasharp and Bolzano. At least that is applicable in my case of sensitive skin, heavy growth, mid thickness, daily shaves. Great video 👍
I think the older Dorcos used to be made in S. Korea, but they are made in Vietnam now. I've had pretty good shaves with them and they are pretty sharp to me (out of my use cases). Lower end blades usually tug and pull on my skin and this doesn't really do that, but that's why I spend time with blades a lot, using them for a few shaves to test them unless they are bad right away. My top blades are the Gillette Minora, Rapira Platinum Lux, Personna Med Prep (not the Lab Blue & much more expensive), and Personna Platinum -- and maybe the Dorco Prime as a last follow-up.
Matt….a new blade that I’ve added to my rotation…is the WIZAMET. Reviews that I’ve read…claim that this blade is the same as the Polsilver. The Wizamet is about the same price as Feather…..a little less sharp…but more comfortable. My blade rotation is now….Feather…Wizamet…Nacet…and Astra Green. My main razors are the Rockwell T2 SS and the Rockwell 6S….with Proraso Green…Red..and White shaving cream. Along with my Simpson T3 brush…and Fine shaving bowl….this combination gives me consistent BBS shaves with little or no irritation. It has taken me three years of mixing and matching to come up with this setup. I’m the kind of guy that once he’s found his setup…you just lock it in…and go with it.
Thanks for the video. I am looking to try some more European makes as they are easier for me to get, so the Bolzano is a good option. Current favourites are feather and BIC chrome platinum - between R89 and R41.
@@RazorEmporiumQuick update: the Bolsano is my new favourite - the first shave is not quite as smooth as the BIC but from the 2nd up to the 8th it is the smoothest shave I’ve ever had. No nicks, no soreness, excellent. Paired with my R89 Grande, it’s perfect. Thanks for the recommendation!
This was epic. I picked up two different sample packs of 10 at your Phoenix store and I am learning that so far my favorite is the Gillete Silver Blue. The sample packs are so much fun to go through.
I love the Feather blades with my Merkur 34C, its the perfect match - smooth close shave for everyday. A single blade lasts me a whole week worth of shaves. I also have Personna Platinum(german) and Perma Sharp on my way to test them.
I mostly use feather blades in Rex Ambassador set to 4.5. That gets me pretty smooth in one pass with some light touch up, and blade buffing. I just got some Bolzano blades from Razor Emporium. They are nice and sharp. And yes, very comfortable. I might switch to the Bolzano. I'm going to play around with settings and techniques to see for sure. But I really like them so far.
Hello Matt and other commenters, I quite literally have only ever used Astra Green! I have a reconditioned Gillette Fatboy that RE did for me. I would say I am relatively new to the scene but have gone through over 100 Astra Green blades. I have thick mostly gray now, course beard hair, what blades would you recommend I try? You know, for the variety is the spice of life angle LOL? Keep in mind that I am a frugal shopper and love to buy in bulk. I understand that is counterintuitive in the case of trying new blades! Thoughts?
Watched part 1, part 2 and now part 3. Wonderful wonderful comparison video. If you're looking for another blade idea to try out, might I suggest the Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades. Would love to see how they stack up against the other mid-rangers in the line-up. I'm only 3 months into my wet shaving journey. Currently going through a pack of Rapira Lux blades and they are just a tiny bit too aggressive for my skin. Voskhod has been my favorite for awhile (great balance between sharpness and smoothness) but they do wear out slightly faster. Cheers Matt.
I have yet to find a blade that doesn't tug in my goatee area. My best experience is with the Personna Med Prep and the Bevel is a close second. Feather pulled more and was definitely not smooth. I have a very coarse beard that grows in many different directions and circles in 3 places on my face.
I don't get why you would dull the blade opening the package. that said, because I have arthritis and carpal tunnel issues I use a nail file to loosen the paper from the wax. no tearing, no risk of cutting my thumb(drying the blade after shaving I managed to cut my thumb so bad they had to super glue it and it took a long time to heal).
Thank you very much for the video! Haven't tried my package of Shark (also have the super stainless) yet, also the Rockwell blades which came with my 6C are still unopened. No need to hurry apparently...😁 So far I like Perma-Sharp and Astra green the most. Mühle blades I did not like at all, which surprised me (love their super soft synthetic brush). Have a good weekend!
Hello Matt, Glad to find you & like your humour & presentation. We across the pond, can find American speak somewhat grating. Not so yours, so have subscribed. Old UK chap, last used DE safety razors, back in the sixties, maybe before. Then along came Mr Gillett with his twin bladed cartridge. Trac 11 I think. Remember seeing it on our TV science programme, Tomorrows World, black & white! Well as soon as that was out I had to have one. Fast forward to last month & I was then using a 5 bladed monstrosity. Enough. Looked into DE razors & have now spent a lot of money on Safety razors & kit. Must be mad. Recently received a lovely Rex Envoy from your country. As an engineer, I appreciate the design & materials. Complete novice, fumbling my way with creams, brushes & blades. I have a question, & yes I know it is personal. I too have a Goatee (any other name?) so only cheek & chin area to shave. How frequently do you change your blades? My skin is sensitive & blades are inexpensive. Also more stubble on one side than the other.
"As for me and my beard!" Lolll. 😂😁👍🏼 I actually like both of those Shark blades. They work for me. It just goes to show you tho how, YMMV. Great vid tho Matt! 😁👍🏼
My favorite so far is the Polsilver. I bought a mess of Wizamets on a trusted friend's urging that they're equivalent to Polsilver. I find them to be slightly less comfortable. I also like Nacet and Astra Green. I shaved with one blade from my Bolzano sample pack but it didn't impress me very much. I think i need to give it another chance after watching this video. Have any of you guys noticed the texture of your beard changing with the weather/ season or, is it just me?
I'm surprised with your placement of the Dorco Primes; I find them as sharp as a Nacet, yet smoother. One of my favourites. Which is why we each need to try them ourselves; YMMV. I have yet to try thr Bolzanos, but now I'm curious...
I have a question. Old chap (UK) recently returned to proper DE Safety razors. Have dived in at the deep end & spent a fortune on razors, blades, bowl, and shaving creams/soaps. Now my fetish seems to be the creams etc. At last count I had about 10, some in tubs of different sizes, and tubes. I read that these used correctly can last up to 5 months! So on that basis I am good for over 4 years! I will probably be dead by then, so why am I buying these products. Is their a cure? Might their be a sort of shaving anonymous, where we can gather in a circle holding hands and lathering up!
I am still testing my sensitive sample pack, so far “perma-sharp” is on the lead. My Barber suggested Wilkinson Sword Classic DE Blades, i have not purchased them yet, but wanted to check if you have heard of them. Maybe, it would be a good one for review.
Great video. I'm 0% surprised that the Sharks ended up at the bottom of the list. I've tried their lineup several times over the years and I just can't. Not my blades. I do enjoy Lord Platinums though, which is surprising since I saw the name "Lord" on the back of the Shark packaging. Have you tried any Tiger or Tiger Platinum blades?
Totally agree with your Bolzano impression (German Made). They Compare to the Schick double edge. Having said this, I recommend you try and sell the Schick (made in Germany) blades (light blue box). Saludos Matt 👋🏽
Thanks for another informative review---------------Caveat: Everybody is different, and every body is different---------That said, Wilkinson Sword and Personna in the red bulk pack are mild, good choices for faces new to double-edge shaving, have light beards and/or sensitive skin--------------As technique improves, Personna in the blue bulk pack is a good choice, but now I have the Feather, and I find that it is the best FOR ME------------I have six razors: Short-handled non-adjustable Gillette Super Speed U.S. made from 1956; long-handled British-made non-adjustable Gillette Slim Twist from early/mid 1960s; Wilkinson long-handled twist-to-open contemporary razor, and 3short-handled razors from Merkur: 2-piece slant-head; 3-piece open comb, and 2-piece 34C, and I cruise through shaves with these razors loaded with Feather blades--------------But again, YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.
Another great video! Matt, I was wondering, if you've ever tried Mem Super Silver Platinum blades. They're made in Serbia originally, they say they use Swedish steel. They also make safety razors. I watched Ken Surfs tried them a while ago but it would be great to hear your opinion on those.
I have no idea the way peoples' skin on the face are different from other people. I did try ONE Bolzano blade and it was sharp but very irritating. I did try maybe two or three individual Nacets but I found them inconsistent from blade to blade; enough to suggest that they may be average but limited in how many shaves per blade. Two best blade choices for myself: Loi Titatium, and Gillette Silver Blue. Maybe one other, too/ not yet certain.
The Dorco blades are made by a Korean company, but produced in Vietnam. For me, the tug slightly, but are very very comfortable. The Rockwell blades(all variants), on the other hand, in my use case, along with Shark, are unusable. It is strange how our skin and hair react differently, and how some can enjoy a blade which starts out tuggy.
I've tried many blades. It was very tedious because I'm the kind of guy that likes to find his thing and stick with it. After a lot of trying, I've found 4 blades that I like: Personna Med Prep, Astra Green, Gillette Platinum, and Treet. Now, considering all factors including cost and availability, my standard blades are the Astra Green. I buy a big 100 pack of Astra Greens and a few packs of the other 3. I was the same with my razor. I tried a lot of razors before finding that the Merker 39c, the slant long handle, is the right razor for me. So, most of the time, you'd see me using a 39c with an Astra Green blade. However, I Will occasionally mix and match. I'll sometimes also shave with my '63 Slim Adjustable. I have a mild Merkur 15c when I'm not wanting an aggressive shave. There are also a couple others. Each razor and blade I like has something different it offers. My standard blade and razor are overall the best for me... Overall. I just use the other items sometimes for fun.
I do love a Feather blade. The QC is consistent from one blade to the next. But, a Feather blade is best experienced by an experienced double edge shaver. In short, have your shaving technique down to science. Know your face and know your razor, before using a Feather. Also use a Feather in a mild to medium aggressive razor. I also do like a Nacet blade. Very good QC and always a comfortable shave. I have a coarse beard growth, so I have to stay to the sharper blades.
Matt, can you do a video comparing the Personna Med Prep (I believe they rebranded them recently as the AccuTech Med Prep) and the Personna Lab Blues? There's a big debate on whether they're the same blade or not (The Med Prep branded blades are almost triple the price). Some say the Med Preps are sharper/smoother. Some say they're the same exact blade with the only difference being that the Med Preps go through an additional sterilization process before packaging. I'm of the latter opinon, I can't tell the difference between the two. I'd be very interested in seeing you sit down and shave with both and get your opinion on the debate. I think others would as well because, like I said, it's a pretty heavily debated topic. Btw, the little guitar riff you guys have been using for the opening and closing on your recent videos is an absolute banger.
Matt, I would like to hear your opinion on the Personna Med Prep. Blades. I bought a bunch years ago because I got a good price and they are made in America. However, I have found them to be somewhat dull compared to my Feathers and red box Personnas.
Also, you say on the video that the Bolzano blades are made in Germany and distributed from Italy. My boxes say they are made in Egypt. I did some poking around on the interwebs. it appears they are made by the Lord company of Egypt. I like the ones I tried so far. It remains to be seen how consistent the quality control ends up. I have two packs of 10. I will use them all to see if they are consistent.
Should I shave with cold water?????? I've been doing it with hot for a while and feeling great, but have been hearing cold is better. Would love your advice! Cheers from Canada!
I tried cold water on a camping trip with my usual razor and blade. It was a disaster. Nothing but pulling and irritation. Your experience might be different.
I do think a person needs to test a fair few blades in each razor they use to find what matches up best with their skin & hair. Of the many I have tried Laser Ultra, Gillette Permasharp, and Voskhod are very good while Bic Chrome Platinum I had high hopes for and so far it has NOT delivered. By a fair margin though Gillette Nacet has been what works best for me.
@@JeremyAustin-hw1qy www.razoremporium.com/double-edge-razor-blades-choose-your-sample-pack/ get a sample pack from us. beginner recommended. blades make an enormous difference.
That is an old Bolzano blade. They now contract production from Egypt. I would be interested to see if you would compare the German with the Egyptian blade.
@RazorEmporium well, Lord are accepted as the only producer in Egypt, and most people in the West seem to have a passionate dislike for their products.
@@RazorEmporium I have read in a few places that Bolzano has moved production to Egypt - and reviews I've seen say it's a downgrade. Razor Blades Club used to have just the Italian, then both, and now the lone entry says Egypt.
Hi Matt. I want a RE shirt (can you wrap it around an Ambassador?). Thanks for another great video. Tomorrow marks 1 month of wet shaving and I've become an avid RE TH-cam channel watcher. The videos have helped a lot, as has other DE razor obessed TH-camrs. I understand your logic about not buying 100 packs of untested blades, but I can't help it. I'm a CPA and I just couldn't bring myself to pay $1/blade for Feathers in a pack vs paying $30 for 50 and getting them for $0.60/each. I bought 100 Bic Chrome Platinums for $0.20/ea. I also bought 100 Astra Green and 100 Rockwells, so next month I'm opening my own DE razor blade store online to sell of some of the hundreds of blades I've accumulated in 30 days. BAHAHAHA!! It's truly OK. The only blade purchase where I'm having a little buyers remorse was the Rockwell, and those were only $0.17/ea. They are OK. My favorites so far are the Bic Chrome for a sharp blade that stays sharp for at least 3 full shaves, and the Astra for a super cheap decent blade that feels and works OK.
I find “vintage” blades such as Polsilver or Astra work the Best Matt..all these DE blades today I find it quality is not the same but YMMV.. Variations and Combinations are Endless 😂till finding a right blade.. All the blades you shown here too harsh on my skin..have to have bear🧸skin to shave with 🤣
I've never used a Rockwell, but otherwise I generally agree with the video's assessment of the other blades. The Sharks are a continual disappointment, particularly so because Lord does make several other blades that are pretty good. The Dorco Prime Platinum struck me as being only modestly sharp, but very smooth, an ok but not exceptional blade. I've only used a couple of Bolzanos, and that several years ago. They struck me as being nondescript, neither particularly good nor bad (which is why I've used none since). I emphatically love the heavy Tech, which I think is a beautiful piece of industrial design. It's a shame that, over time, the Tech has evolved into the 7 O'Clock Sterling, a very good (and very inexpensive and durable) razor that is none the less one of the ugliest pieces of industrial design ever. (Full disclosure: I own a bunch of heavy Techs and Sterlings, and happily use them a lot, although just now I'm going through a fin de siecle (D1) Black Handle Super Speed phase.) Best wishes to all.
Lord makes a lot of different blades. They make the 3 different shark brands two different Big Ben brands the Lord plat and chrome class brands the sword brand Treet is another they make 21 different brands.
Interesting , I kind of agree w your evaluation (minus the Bolzano). There are so many variables on the blades, some get better with 2nd use, most don't. For me the best blades WERE the Russian Gillette blades (now the availability will come to an END); Japan blades are still very good and very expen$ive, Personna USA still made BUT Israel has stopped making them (these were great) and now are made in Germany (not as good). One thing that this test did not evaluate is how many good shaves you can get from a blade...... NOW going forward: you will have blades made in India, Egypt (Bolzano and all Lords, etc= mediocre blades), Bic from Greece, Personna US and Germany, and of course: all sorts of China blades: some good some not.
Can’t go wrong with Gillette Tech, can go wrong with a Tech. Test is like an Adjustable depending on Blade choice. Perfect Blane for everyone? Nope. Everyone face, beard growth patter, and beard thickness is different. One Blade is not perfect for everyone.
![MV วิถีชีวิตใต้ - ผา อัยย๊ะ [Official MV HD]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nODlkOUu9B0/mqdefault.jpg)
I love the Personna lab blues I got from you guys.
nothing wrong with having 100 feathers
I love experimenting with different blades, including vintage blades. The vintage English-made NACETs are among my all time favorites.
Right on!
I’m four shaves in, to my return to safety razors, after 40 years.
The razor I bought was a Vikings Blade adjustable. It’s a nice razor, but should have done the research first.
So it came with five of their mild blades. At the time, I had no idea what that meant. Now I know.
First shave was great. Nice and close. Second, and third shave was not so good. The mild blades were not for my course beard, and was dulled during the first shave.
After much more research, I’ve ordered a Rockwell 6S, and ordered one 5, or 10 pack of every blade the shop carried. Let the fun begin. 😉
I love that you can change razors and blades and find that one blade in a particular razor is better than others. If I find a blade that is not very comfortable I will try it in a number of different razors before I give up on it.
Thanks Matt love the videos!😊
I have found the wealth of information Matt provides through these videos is priceless. Matt is the one who mentioned to me in an email that he has found the Bolzano blades to be excellent. I am a daily shaver, and after many years of trying different shave creams, shave gels and other products that enhance a shave, Bolzano is by far one of the best double edge blades that I use with my shaving approach. Each individual will likely experience different results with the razors, blades and shave creams/gels. Don't give up, find what is best that works for you. I find the Bolzano gives as close of a shave as a Feather, but with less "razor burn" - I just get a smoother, more pleasant shave with the Bolzano. I have tried a NUMBER of blades and razors in my quest for the optimal shave. Without Matt, I don't think I would have discovered Bolzano blades. They are the top 2 or 3 blades for me. Thanks, Matt! Your videos are awesome and priceless!
You rated Gillette Platinum at 4.75 out of 5.0 in a previous video. I have used the Feather and Gillette Platinum. Feather is the sharpest blade I have ever used. However, my neck took a while to “calm down” after using a Feather. No doubt the closet shave I have ever had was with a Feather but I paid for it with loss of comfort. My favourite blade is the Gillette Platinum. Why? Because you get a blade almost as sharp as a Feather but with much more comfort. Having a close, comfortable shave beats having “the closest shave” any day. Luckily I only bought a tuck of 10 Feather blades.
Agreed. Sharpest doesn't mean most comfortable
You’ve got that right Matt!
I finished 30 minutes ago a shave with a Nacet blade in my Merkur 37C. Good combination.
I've tried at least 10 different blades and Feather blades are the only ones I will buy. By far the sharpest.
the blade that came with my 34c was pretty good. and them astra is so far the best consistant blade ive had. the chrome shark was also very good, not the regular stainless though. a lot of this is based on the production for that day when it was made though.
Production team or you burning the midnight (beard) oil? Love this series, thanks!
When I bought my REX Ambassador a few weeks ago I decided to get a couple of sample packs of blades to really try the new razor out. I am really glad that I did. I plan to do this every few years to remind myself of what is out there and what might have changed my mind.
I find Rockwells are not as dull as you find them to be. Nacets are my favs. I find the Rockwell works well on my merkur, while muhles and feathers on my Karve...nacets are golden all around. Three generations of my family has been using nacets...so maybe nostalgia has something to do with it...
We share the same beard type, I started (a few years back) with the Rockwell R1 and I remember liking their blades. Later I tried the Astra greens, and to this day they give me razor burns for some reason. Now I’ve settled on Feathers, they glide effortlessly and I get no burns. Great video series 👍🏼
Thanks for the tips!
I’m finding that the same blade performs differently in different razors and then even soaps can change the outcome. There are three variables and the combinations are endless. The experience never gets boring 👍
I agree 100% I recently tried Kai blades in my Gillette Red Tip and did not like them at all, but I put one in my Rockwell 6C with the number 3 plate on it and it was very nice
For me, I keep coming back to TREET Platinum, Nacet and Personna USA in that order and over years, it just doesn’t change! Love this series - thanks!
Interesting comparison test. I know beard type is another factor also which razor you use. Can you get BIC razor blades in the US. I use them here in England and they are very good IMO. Not to be be confused with the BIC disposable razors which are awful.
Great info. Saves me time and money for easier evaluation of the best of the best.
Nacets are top notch for me, ty for the vid 🤙🏽
No problem 👍
Sgr shaves are doing 514 shaves with one razor blade that good are the Nacet blades
It's always funny when I find a blade I don't like in most razors (German Wilkinson Sword) and then I try it in a certain razor (Mühle Rocca) and it's the absolute perfect combination. The Shark stainless is one of my favorites in the Ambassador. The more blade feel a razor has, the harder it is to find good blades for it. Just about everything works in a Tech/Super Speed for me.
I've recently tried and liked Gillette Minora and Super Thin. The Super Thins might take over top spot from Nacet. I highly recommend them.
The Super Thin are only comfortable in the mildest of my razors, where as Shark are unusable for me. I LOVE the German Wilkinson Sword and the Dorco😅😅😅
The Wilkinson Sword is one of my favorites in a Rex Konsul, right up there with a Kai but it stays sharp longer than the Kai. The Rockwell, Astra and Personna are really good in the Konsul. But the Parker and Kent of Inglewood blades are terrible in the Konsul. Dull as a butter knife almost.
Nice Matt. Agree with rankings. My skin doesn’t like bolzano but likes nacets in milder razors.
Great video. I never thought about buying a sampler of various blades, etc. I’ll have to look into that.
Don’t know if you’ve tried the muhle blades but I find them sharp & smooth I seem to get 3/4 shaves per blade & for me suits most razors I own
Persona Red Blades are hard-to-beat quality consistency.
I can’t wait to try the Balzanos! That will definitely be the next sample I get!
I have a course beard and sensitive skin, I may actually have a more course beard than most, so the feather blade has been the only blade I've used for years now, I can go Astra since they are close, but I can't really go below those it tugs my hair. My beard is so thick and course that even going against the grain with a feather blade I can still feel the hair. I'm currently growing out my beard at the moment and its cool, but yeah my beard is wirey lol.
Two blades I really like that you are not carrying at this moment are the Gillette Minora and Big Ben.
The standard Shark 🦈 was the very first blade I ever tried/used when I performed my first traditional wetshave back in 2011. I remember them being extremely comfortable and sharp/no tug etc, but revisiting them today 12 years later they are not even even close to sharp enough for my beard today. My beard has gotten tougher and coarser and thicker as I’ve gone from age 22 to 34 and it takes a 4 to a 4 1/2 star blade to shave it now.
Ken surfs got me to try the Gillette Wilkinson sword blades man they are great don’t even feel them on my skin pretty much my go to now then voskhod
Rockwells - ok in mild razors only and do cut well in combination with a rich lubricant lather.
Bolzano - one of my favourites; go well with aggressive and mild razors.
Dorco Prime - super smooth and efficient; surprised they didn't work on you.
Sharks - daily go-to blades; ok but not brilliant.
Permasharp - one level sharper than Bolzano.
Nacet - somewhere in the middle between Permasharp and Bolzano.
At least that is applicable in my case of sensitive skin, heavy growth, mid thickness, daily shaves.
Great video 👍
I think the older Dorcos used to be made in S. Korea, but they are made in Vietnam now. I've had pretty good shaves with them and they are pretty sharp to me (out of my use cases). Lower end blades usually tug and pull on my skin and this doesn't really do that, but that's why I spend time with blades a lot, using them for a few shaves to test them unless they are bad right away. My top blades are the Gillette Minora, Rapira Platinum Lux, Personna Med Prep (not the Lab Blue & much more expensive), and Personna Platinum -- and maybe the Dorco Prime as a last follow-up.
Matt….a new blade that I’ve added to my rotation…is the WIZAMET. Reviews that I’ve read…claim that this blade is the same as the Polsilver. The Wizamet is about the same price as Feather…..a little less sharp…but more comfortable. My blade rotation is now….Feather…Wizamet…Nacet…and Astra Green. My main razors are the Rockwell T2 SS and the Rockwell 6S….with Proraso Green…Red..and White shaving cream. Along with my Simpson T3 brush…and Fine shaving bowl….this combination gives me consistent BBS shaves with little or no irritation. It has taken me three years of mixing and matching to come up with this setup. I’m the kind of guy that once he’s found his setup…you just lock it in…and go with it.
Love me a voskhod blade
Thanks for the video. I am looking to try some more European makes as they are easier for me to get, so the Bolzano is a good option. Current favourites are feather and BIC chrome platinum - between R89 and R41.
Thanks for watching!
@@RazorEmporiumQuick update: the Bolsano is my new favourite - the first shave is not quite as smooth as the BIC but from the 2nd up to the 8th it is the smoothest shave I’ve ever had. No nicks, no soreness, excellent. Paired with my R89 Grande, it’s perfect. Thanks for the recommendation!
This was epic. I picked up two different sample packs of 10 at your Phoenix store and I am learning that so far my favorite is the Gillete Silver Blue. The sample packs are so much fun to go through.
Glad you like them!
I love the Feather blades with my Merkur 34C, its the perfect match - smooth close shave for everyday. A single blade lasts me a whole week worth of shaves. I also have Personna Platinum(german) and Perma Sharp on my way to test them.
It all comes down to skin....technique.....Water Etc.....Yadda yadda yadda....😊 Matt👍👍
Thanks 👍
I mostly use feather blades in Rex Ambassador set to 4.5. That gets me pretty smooth in one pass with some light touch up, and blade buffing. I just got some Bolzano blades from Razor Emporium. They are nice and sharp. And yes, very comfortable. I might switch to the Bolzano. I'm going to play around with settings and techniques to see for sure. But I really like them so far.
Hello Matt and other commenters, I quite literally have only ever used Astra Green! I have a reconditioned Gillette Fatboy that RE did for me. I would say I am relatively new to the scene but have gone through over 100 Astra Green blades. I have thick mostly gray now, course beard hair, what blades would you recommend I try? You know, for the variety is the spice of life angle LOL? Keep in mind that I am a frugal shopper and love to buy in bulk. I understand that is counterintuitive in the case of trying new blades! Thoughts?
Spend a few bucks on one of our sample packs
Howdy Matt and Co! Great series. Personna Lab Blues are my GOAT. They are all I use now. Have a blessed weekend y’all. 👍🏼🤠👍🏼
Thanks! You too!
Nacets, Wizamet iridium or Bolzano come in as my top 3 at the moment.
Watched part 1, part 2 and now part 3. Wonderful wonderful comparison video. If you're looking for another blade idea to try out, might I suggest the Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades. Would love to see how they stack up against the other mid-rangers in the line-up. I'm only 3 months into my wet shaving journey. Currently going through a pack of Rapira Lux blades and they are just a tiny bit too aggressive for my skin. Voskhod has been my favorite for awhile (great balance between sharpness and smoothness) but they do wear out slightly faster. Cheers Matt.
Thanks to you Matt, I'm gonna try the Bolzano Blades in the near future. 👍
I have yet to find a blade that doesn't tug in my goatee area. My best experience is with the Personna Med Prep and the Bevel is a close second. Feather pulled more and was definitely not smooth. I have a very coarse beard that grows in many different directions and circles in 3 places on my face.
I don't get why you would dull the blade opening the package. that said, because I have arthritis and carpal tunnel issues I use a nail file to loosen the paper from the wax. no tearing, no risk of cutting my thumb(drying the blade after shaving I managed to cut my thumb so bad they had to super glue it and it took a long time to heal).
Bolzano are my favorite blades i like your videos 👏
Great comparison Matt, One variable that could change your shave would be a different razor. I find the Dorcos very comfortable in a fatboy.
Me, too!
I have a medium coarse beard and I love the Shark Super Stainless and hate the Bolzanos. Just goes to show you need to try them for yourself
Thank you very much for the video!
Haven't tried my package of Shark (also have the super stainless) yet, also the Rockwell blades which came with my 6C are still unopened. No need to hurry apparently...😁
So far I like Perma-Sharp and Astra green the most.
Mühle blades I did not like at all, which surprised me (love their super soft synthetic brush).
Have a good weekend!
Thanks for sharing!
Hello Matt,
Glad to find you & like your humour & presentation. We across the pond, can find American speak somewhat grating. Not so yours, so have subscribed. Old UK chap, last used DE safety razors, back in the sixties, maybe before. Then along came Mr Gillett with his twin bladed cartridge. Trac 11 I think. Remember seeing it on our TV science programme, Tomorrows World, black & white!
Well as soon as that was out I had to have one. Fast forward to last month & I was then using a 5 bladed monstrosity. Enough.
Looked into DE razors & have now spent a lot of money on Safety razors & kit. Must be mad. Recently received a lovely Rex Envoy from your country. As an engineer, I appreciate the design & materials. Complete novice, fumbling my way with creams, brushes & blades.
I have a question, & yes I know it is personal. I too have a Goatee (any other name?) so only cheek & chin area to shave. How frequently do you change your blades? My skin is sensitive & blades are inexpensive. Also more stubble on one side than the other.
Thank you 🙏 I change blades when they start to tug. Generally every 4-6 shaves.
Thanks for your guidance. Experience will show me the way.
"As for me and my beard!" Lolll. 😂😁👍🏼
I actually like both of those Shark blades. They work for me. It just goes to show you tho how, YMMV. Great vid tho Matt! 😁👍🏼
My favorite so far is the Polsilver. I bought a mess of Wizamets on a trusted friend's urging that they're equivalent to Polsilver. I find them to be slightly less comfortable. I also like Nacet and Astra Green. I shaved with one blade from my Bolzano sample pack but it didn't impress me very much. I think i need to give it another chance after watching this video.
Have any of you guys noticed the texture of your beard changing with the weather/ season or, is it just me?
Yup
I'm surprised with your placement of the Dorco Primes; I find them as sharp as a Nacet, yet smoother. One of my favourites. Which is why we each need to try them ourselves; YMMV. I have yet to try thr Bolzanos, but now I'm curious...
I have a question. Old chap (UK) recently returned to proper DE Safety razors. Have dived in at the deep end & spent a fortune on razors, blades, bowl, and shaving creams/soaps. Now my fetish seems to be the creams etc. At last count I had about 10, some in tubs of different sizes, and tubes. I read that these used correctly can last up to 5 months! So on that basis I am good for over 4 years! I will probably be dead by then, so why am I buying these products. Is their a cure? Might their be a sort of shaving anonymous, where we can gather in a circle holding hands and lathering up!
I am still testing my sensitive sample pack, so far “perma-sharp” is on the lead. My Barber suggested Wilkinson Sword Classic DE Blades, i have not purchased them yet, but wanted to check if you have heard of them. Maybe, it would be a good one for review.
We've reviewed those in a previous video I believe
@@RazorEmporium cool, i’ll find it. Thank you for your time.
Just got 300 Feather for $0.45 Canadian a blade after shipping. That was worth it for me.
Shark super chrome is awesome. Not the sharpest but still sharp enough and very smooth. I have sensitive skin and course hair. Just my opinion. YMMV.
Great video. I'm 0% surprised that the Sharks ended up at the bottom of the list. I've tried their lineup several times over the years and I just can't. Not my blades. I do enjoy Lord Platinums though, which is surprising since I saw the name "Lord" on the back of the Shark packaging.
Have you tried any Tiger or Tiger Platinum blades?
Yes. Hit or Miss results for me
Totally agree with your Bolzano impression (German Made). They Compare to the Schick double edge. Having said this, I recommend you try and sell the Schick (made in Germany) blades (light blue box). Saludos Matt 👋🏽
Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for another informative review---------------Caveat: Everybody is different, and every body is different---------That said, Wilkinson Sword and Personna in the red bulk pack are mild, good choices for faces new to double-edge shaving, have light beards and/or sensitive skin--------------As technique improves, Personna in the blue bulk pack is a good choice, but now I have the Feather, and I find that it is the best FOR ME------------I have six razors: Short-handled non-adjustable Gillette Super Speed U.S. made from 1956; long-handled British-made non-adjustable Gillette Slim Twist from early/mid 1960s; Wilkinson long-handled twist-to-open contemporary razor, and 3short-handled razors from Merkur: 2-piece slant-head; 3-piece open comb, and 2-piece 34C, and I cruise through shaves with these razors loaded with Feather blades--------------But again, YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.
Another great video! Matt, I was wondering, if you've ever tried Mem Super Silver Platinum blades. They're made in Serbia originally, they say they use Swedish steel. They also make safety razors. I watched Ken Surfs tried them a while ago but it would be great to hear your opinion on those.
I'll check it out!
I have no idea the way peoples' skin on the face are different from other people. I did try ONE Bolzano blade and it was sharp but very irritating. I did try maybe two or three individual Nacets but I found them inconsistent from blade to blade; enough to suggest that they may be average but limited in how many shaves per blade. Two best blade choices for myself: Loi Titatium, and Gillette Silver Blue. Maybe one other, too/ not yet certain.
Wish y’all would stock the Merkur blades so I would be able to just order all my supplies from the same place.
We can certainly stock them with our next merkur order
The Dorco blades are made by a Korean company, but produced in Vietnam. For me, the tug slightly, but are very very comfortable. The Rockwell blades(all variants), on the other hand, in my use case, along with Shark, are unusable.
It is strange how our skin and hair react differently, and how some can enjoy a blade which starts out tuggy.
I've tried many blades. It was very tedious because I'm the kind of guy that likes to find his thing and stick with it. After a lot of trying, I've found 4 blades that I like: Personna Med Prep, Astra Green, Gillette Platinum, and Treet.
Now, considering all factors including cost and availability, my standard blades are the Astra Green. I buy a big 100 pack of Astra Greens and a few packs of the other 3. I was the same with my razor. I tried a lot of razors before finding that the Merker 39c, the slant long handle, is the right razor for me. So, most of the time, you'd see me using a 39c with an Astra Green blade.
However, I Will occasionally mix and match. I'll sometimes also shave with my '63 Slim Adjustable. I have a mild Merkur 15c when I'm not wanting an aggressive shave. There are also a couple others. Each razor and blade I like has something different it offers. My standard blade and razor are overall the best for me... Overall. I just use the other items sometimes for fun.
I do love a Feather blade. The QC is consistent from one blade to the next. But, a Feather blade is best experienced by an experienced double edge shaver. In short, have your shaving technique down to science. Know your face and know your razor, before using a Feather. Also use a Feather in a mild to medium aggressive razor.
I also do like a Nacet blade. Very good QC and always a comfortable shave. I have a coarse beard growth, so I have to stay to the sharper blades.
Matt, can you do a video comparing the Personna Med Prep (I believe they rebranded them recently as the AccuTech Med Prep) and the Personna Lab Blues? There's a big debate on whether they're the same blade or not (The Med Prep branded blades are almost triple the price). Some say the Med Preps are sharper/smoother. Some say they're the same exact blade with the only difference being that the Med Preps go through an additional sterilization process before packaging. I'm of the latter opinon, I can't tell the difference between the two. I'd be very interested in seeing you sit down and shave with both and get your opinion on the debate. I think others would as well because, like I said, it's a pretty heavily debated topic. Btw, the little guitar riff you guys have been using for the opening and closing on your recent videos is an absolute banger.
Thank you! Great suggestion
Matt, I would like to hear your opinion on the Personna Med Prep. Blades. I bought a bunch years ago because I got a good price and they are made in America. However, I have found them to be somewhat dull compared to my Feathers and red box Personnas.
Schick makes some superb Made in Germany DE blades. I can only get them at TRC, could RE look into carrying them? Thanks!
Those Shick ones those vintage ones made in the U.S are the best that's for sure !!!
Here for the black and blue tee, XX 🏆
To me the best blades I've tried are nacets, wilkinson sword, Gillette super thin (stainless) and derby usta.
Also, you say on the video that the Bolzano blades are made in Germany and distributed from Italy. My boxes say they are made in Egypt. I did some poking around on the interwebs. it appears they are made by the Lord company of Egypt. I like the ones I tried so far. It remains to be seen how consistent the quality control ends up. I have two packs of 10. I will use them all to see if they are consistent.
Should I shave with cold water?????? I've been doing it with hot for a while and feeling great, but have been hearing cold is better. Would love your advice! Cheers from Canada!
Always! Been doing it for 10+ years.
@@RazorEmporiumThanks so much! Look forward to trying it in the morning! Love your informative videos! Cheers to you!
I tried cold water on a camping trip with my usual razor and blade. It was a disaster. Nothing but pulling and irritation. Your experience might be different.
Leaving a comment below to win an official Razor Emporium t-shirt.
I don't own them right now, but those Gillette Platinums are little samurai swords! Astra greens are super smooth but sharper than you think
I do think a person needs to test a fair few blades in each razor they use to find what matches up best with their skin & hair. Of the many I have tried Laser Ultra, Gillette Permasharp, and Voskhod are very good while Bic Chrome Platinum I had high hopes for and so far it has NOT delivered. By a fair margin though Gillette Nacet has been what works best for me.
Dorco prime is my go to blades
Are there any Razor Emporium T-shirts available on Aliexpress?
Lol no. Buy from our website
Great video but I can’t come away from my straights 😂😂
Understandable
Shick de made in Germany are my favorites
When each blade makes its appearance:
2:55 Bolzano
4:24 Nacet
5:25 Rockwell
6:25 Dorco Prime
7:36 Shark Platinum
9:10 Shark
Hey there i have the van der hagen razor and it tugs I'm curious if the leaf twig would be better
What blades?.
@@RazorEmporium van der hagen basic blades and another sample pack that comes with the razor it's what my local walmart had for safety razors
@@JeremyAustin-hw1qy www.razoremporium.com/double-edge-razor-blades-choose-your-sample-pack/ get a sample pack from us. beginner recommended. blades make an enormous difference.
I just love you videos always interesting Scarborough Deepest Darkish Yorkshire
Man I bought 100 pack of feathers. I use them on my head only. I thought sharper was better but that ain't the case.
That aftershave looks exactly like orange juice! 😂
German blades are awesome 🤩
That is an old Bolzano blade. They now contract production from Egypt. I would be interested to see if you would compare the German with the Egyptian blade.
So they are now made by Lord and right royally suck?😂😂
How do you know this?
@RazorEmporium well, Lord are accepted as the only producer in Egypt, and most people in the West seem to have a passionate dislike for their products.
@@RazorEmporium I have read in a few places that Bolzano has moved production to Egypt - and reviews I've seen say it's a downgrade. Razor Blades Club used to have just the Italian, then both, and now the lone entry says Egypt.
@@RazorEmporium Well I guess I'm a DE blade nerd 🙂 When you restock the Bolanzo, you will see they are now manufactured in Egypt.
Did you do the persona german anywhen?
No
Yup Bolzano are great blades and super cheap
isn't Rapira in Moscow, at teh Mostochlegmash factory?
🧐
Derby black it's the same price as the green Blades? wheelchair larry
Hi Matt. I want a RE shirt (can you wrap it around an Ambassador?). Thanks for another great video. Tomorrow marks 1 month of wet shaving and I've become an avid RE TH-cam channel watcher. The videos have helped a lot, as has other DE razor obessed TH-camrs. I understand your logic about not buying 100 packs of untested blades, but I can't help it. I'm a CPA and I just couldn't bring myself to pay $1/blade for Feathers in a pack vs paying $30 for 50 and getting them for $0.60/each. I bought 100 Bic Chrome Platinums for $0.20/ea. I also bought 100 Astra Green and 100 Rockwells, so next month I'm opening my own DE razor blade store online to sell of some of the hundreds of blades I've accumulated in 30 days. BAHAHAHA!! It's truly OK. The only blade purchase where I'm having a little buyers remorse was the Rockwell, and those were only $0.17/ea. They are OK. My favorites so far are the Bic Chrome for a sharp blade that stays sharp for at least 3 full shaves, and the Astra for a super cheap decent blade that feels and works OK.
The Dorco prime's use to be good but they moved production to Vietnam and quality has suffered.
Interesting 🤔
I find “vintage” blades such as Polsilver or Astra work the Best Matt..all these DE blades today I find it quality is not the same but YMMV..
Variations and Combinations are Endless 😂till finding a right blade..
All the blades you shown here too harsh on my skin..have to have bear🧸skin to shave with 🤣
I thought BOLZANO was made in EGYPT now. Anyone know where the PAA Strangelet is made?
We have Egyptian and German Bolzano. PAA = China
I've never used a Rockwell, but otherwise I generally agree with the video's assessment of the other blades. The Sharks are a continual disappointment, particularly so because Lord does make several other blades that are pretty good. The Dorco Prime Platinum struck me as being only modestly sharp, but very smooth, an ok but not exceptional blade. I've only used a couple of Bolzanos, and that several years ago. They struck me as being nondescript, neither particularly good nor bad (which is why I've used none since). I emphatically love the heavy Tech, which I think is a beautiful piece of industrial design. It's a shame that, over time, the Tech has evolved into the 7 O'Clock Sterling, a very good (and very inexpensive and durable) razor that is none the less one of the ugliest pieces of industrial design ever. (Full disclosure: I own a bunch of heavy Techs and Sterlings, and happily use them a lot, although just now I'm going through a fin de siecle (D1) Black Handle Super Speed phase.) Best wishes to all.
Lord makes a lot of different blades. They make the 3 different shark brands two different Big Ben brands the Lord plat and chrome class brands the sword brand Treet is another they make 21 different brands.
Interesting , I kind of agree w your evaluation (minus the Bolzano). There are so many variables on the blades, some get better with 2nd use, most don't. For me the best blades WERE the Russian Gillette blades (now the availability will come to an END); Japan blades are still very good and very expen$ive, Personna USA still made BUT Israel has stopped making them (these were great) and now are made in Germany (not as good). One thing that this test did not evaluate is how many good shaves you can get from a blade...... NOW going forward: you will have blades made in India, Egypt (Bolzano and all Lords, etc= mediocre blades), Bic from Greece, Personna US and Germany, and of course: all sorts of China blades: some good some not.
Okay Matt are my eyes deceiving me, are you taking the blade out of those razors by the sharp edges?
Yup 😛
@@RazorEmporium Dexterous!
@@417Keto Or thick skinned - Lol!
@@keithosmond5730 Lol
There is no competition for feather✋
For some
Can’t go wrong with Gillette Tech, can go wrong with a Tech.
Test is like an Adjustable depending on Blade choice.
Perfect Blane for everyone? Nope.
Everyone face, beard growth patter, and beard thickness is different.
One Blade is not perfect for everyone.
Hi Matt,
On a scale of 1 thru 5 were does the does the wizamet Iridium super De Razor blade lie. Thanks for your attention in this matter
4
@@RazorEmporium thank you Matt!