I realise this has been done to extinction, but has anyone used both types of razor blade and can tell me what differences they found? Currently using Merkur but a quick google suggests they may be expansive compared to other brands and TBH I fancy a change.
Cheers.

Tried both. I shave only once a week, and have a pretty fierce beard so I can’t just put up with scraping off a shadow every morning with blunt steel.

Merkurs were bloody awful. Blunt, stiff. Did not like.

Started on feathers, liked them, tried Merkurs, Derbys, Wilkos, no-name Israeli blades, but returned to Feathers. Have stayed with them since.

Sharp and light. Sometimes one edge might be a bit better than the other, I just flip the razor. Life’s too short, and blades too cheap to shave with anything but the sharpest.

Ok..so I’m nearly there:
Octavia
Log burner
and now the DE razor you all suggested (23c something or other..) and a pack of 100 blades for a tenner (astra blades)

The blades are numbered 1-4..

How should i use them? will flipping a blade make it sharp again? I really only get 2-3 shaves out of a blade.

I WILL google this, but thought I’d ask here too!

DrP

DrP – just use them twice and chuck-em! You can get a ‘shed-load’ of razors for the square root of FA off of that there ebay.

Not sure on the issue with using them – put them in the razor and shave? (i’m a natural teacher, eh?)

As for merkurs V feathers – my experience:
1) Merkurs – terribly, scrapy, not-close shave
2) Wilkinson sword – much better
3) Feathers – amazing! just glides thorugh thickest stubble, but requires attention to avoid nicks

That’s what I thought.. at 10p per blade, I can be frivilant…

I just wasn’t sure why the blade sides were numbered?
DrP

As above Merkur – not good.

Russian, Israeli & Feather blades – good.

As above, I’ve yet to find anything better than feathers.

DrP – had to google it…
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Numbers_on_the_DE_Blade

Thanks all, Feathers it is then.

I find feathers too sharp sometimes, best razor for me are the Astra Greens. Tried many others but keep coming back to these, cheaper than feathers too.

Merkurs are horrible. Feathers by a country mile. Astra greens are good too, a step down from Feathers, less aggressive. My son uses Astras, he’s not quite ready for the sharpness of the Feather.

1-4 on the blade is for QA control in the factory. Nowt to do with “flipping blades”.

Merkurs are dreadful

Feathers for special occasions, Astra for regular.

Astra last longer but not as sharp and vice versa.

Astra very cheap!

The numbers are good for reminding you need to change the blade. I put it in showing 1-2 for first shave then next shave flip it 3-4, when I open the razor and 3-4 is showing I know to change it out. I don’t shave every day and my memory for such things isn’t great 🙂

There was 1 Merkur blade in with my razor handle thing.

I wasn’t that impressed with it or the whole shaving experience with my new fancy DE razor.

Stuck it out for a few shaves & then popped in an Astra Superior Platinum blade and the difference was massive.
It was equal to the difference when you forget to change blades and attempt to shave with a really old, blunt blade & then stick a new one in & marvel at how easy it is.

Can’t comment on the Feathers as I still have a small box of the Astra blades to get through before buying some more – and I’ll probably buy one of those trial selection packs.

Im a derby fan myself

Big fan of the Gillette Yellows, hear their Silver Blues are awesome but not tried those yet.

Another one I think are quite nice are Treet Platinums

Tesco/Asda own brand FTW, bunch of flash tarts.

buy a mixed pack and figure out what you like. a few folk have said derby, i can’t stand them, too dull for me. whereas feathers are great if i have a lot of stubble. day to day sharks. but thats just my skin, you will be different.

I find feathers too sharp sometimes

I don’t really get this. A blade is supposed to be sharp, any cook will tell you that a dull blade is more dangerous than a sharp one. I’d respectfully suggest that if a blade is “too sharp” then the real problem is either the wrong razor or poor technique. Try a less aggressive razor perhaps?

I’ve tried a bunch of different blades courtesy of kind and generous people on STW; unhelpfully perhaps but I can’t remember exactly, it was either the Astra or Derby blade which tore my face to bits, dreadful things. Feathers were the best by a long way, they Just Work.

Nonetheless, buying a selection pack is a great idea.

I have tried all sorts and the Gilette 7 o’clock sharpe are the blades for me

Merkur are awful. Feathers are great for 1 shave only. Astra for daily use

I’ve tried a bunch of different blades courtesy of kind and generous people on STW; unhelpfully perhaps but I can’t remember exactly, it was either the Astra or Derby blade which tore my face to bits, dreadful things. Feathers were the best by a long way, they Just Work.

You are welcome to a pack to see if it was Astras, doubt it though they are great. I have a slim adjustable so it isn’t the razor so possibly technique! Do use the feathers when I know my face can handle it and I have time to take my time. Astras just work regardless.

Astra platinum most of the time. Good for 2-3 shaves.
Feathers, rarely, but expect to be leaking some claret. (must get a alum block/ styptic pencil). Only good for 1-2 saves i found.

Feathers in my Standard are superb, any other razor they can too readily bite you
Gillette Yellows, Silver Blues and to a lesser degree Greens. Rapieras and Vokshods also, of course YMMV

The numbers are good for reminding you need to change the blade. I put it in showing 1-2 for first shave then next shave flip it 3-4, when I open the razor and 3-4 is showing I know to change it out. I don’t shave every day and my memory for such things isn’t great

+1

Israeli blades are utter shite, fine if you’re into blood letting I suppose. Astras have been great for me so far. Never had any issues with Merkur either from memory, they were better than the Wilkinson Sword ones anyway.

Don’t listen to any recommendations. Buy a sample pack and make your own mind up.

And now having said that: my recommendation. Feathers are too nasty for me. Astras not nasty enough. I like Gillette 7oclocks and Sharks.

Quick update, Feathers seem much sharper and give a closer shave, few little nicks but was in more of a rush that I should of been for new razors!
Thanks for the advice.