Astra Superior Platinum

Bucephalus

Bucephalus

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2016
Location
Fremantle, WA
G'day fellow wet shavers
With a notebook and pencil at hand to record my findings, I am evaluating a variety of blades to establish which best suits my facial hair. Yesterday, I used an Astra Superior Platinum and noticed numbers marked on the blade. One side showed "1" and "2" while the other revealed "3" and "4".

Am I correct in assuming the purpose of the numbers is to enable the individual to get at least 4 shaves from each blade by using cutting edge "1" followed by "2" , flipping over the blade to use "3" and finally "4"?

 
Two shaves only with Arko soap and badger brush and they're pulling already. Not for me!
The search for more than 2 BBS shaves per blade continues.
 
Becephalus said:
Two shaves only with Arko soap and badger brush and they're pulling already. Not for me!
The search for more than 2 BBS shaves per blade continues.
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You got to two shaves with ARKO! - impressive commitment ;)
 
Becephalus said:
Two shaves only with Arko soap and badger brush and they're pulling already. Not for me!
The search for more than 2 BBS shaves per blade continues.
Click to expand...

I can usually get 3 shaves from Astras, but the 3rd can be a bit ordinary. If you haven't tried them, can I suggest Gillette Silver Blue blades? I can get 4 or 5 out of those.
 
Just get a Russian sampler pack (Voskhods, Ladas, Rapiras, etc) - decide which one(s) are for you and buy a couple of thousand.

I haven't found any modern DE blade that gives me more than 2 decent shaves, but those mentioned above can be had for less than 10AU$ delivered per 100 - that's less than 10c per blade or less than 5c per shave. No need to search any further and no need to put up with glue dots ;)
 
Thanks for your input lads. I've got a couple of Voskhods in my trials pack and read good things about GSBs. If I may ask, from where/whom do you purchase?
Edit: Spelling.
 
MANY thanks alfredus. The cheapest Voskhods I could locate were at TSW $18.95/100 + Postage. So what you have shown me is quite a bit less. Thanks again.
 
If you know what you want, you can get those (Voskohds, Ladas, Rapira, etc.) easily delivered for less than 10AU$ per 100...even cheaper of course if you take a bit more :D :D :D

Start with one of the sampler packs and take your time. When you found a favourite (or 2) just buy in bulk in be done with it for the next decade or so ;)

For me blade testing is the most boring part of the discovery journey, so I am glad that these work well for me
 
Vintage Polsilvers that some of us recently bought, i got 8 shaves from one, not a good shave but 8 shaves. Probably averaging about 6, strangely it's only around the 3rd TO 5th shave with me it really starts to shine.
 
Guys, thanks for your responses. As I have also now trialled an Astra Super Chrome for the same result, I wonder if the problem lies with either my brush (Semogue 830) or our infamous West Australian hard water :(:(

Thoughts welcome thanks.
 
Becephalus said:
Guys, thanks for your responses. As I have also now trialled an Astra Super Chrome for the same result, I wonder if the problem lies with either my brush (Semogue 830) or our infamous West Australian hard water :(:(

Thoughts welcome thanks.
Click to expand...

Are you still talking about the number of good shaves you get out of the blade? If so, this depends on many things, but mostly your prep, the angle you use, the number of passes per shave and the toughness/density of your whiskers of course.

Prep is a funny thing: I used to do the whole hot towel routine etc. and while this is certainly milder on the blade, it is not so on my face. Why you ask? Well at the same time you hydrate your whiskers you also hydrate your skin. In my case, my skin becomes puffed up and is prone to nicks. I never shave after a shower...

So I do now cold water shaves and my prep is washing my face with cold water and a good soap and face lathering. Certainly tougher on the blade, but my skin loves it. I'd rather get only 2 shaves per blade and have a happy face...
 
Hm, I didn't think of cold shaving or prior washing with soap so there's other tricks to try.
Prep: wet warm towel, few drops Baby Oil, good lathering
Passes: two, with/against
Angle: approx 30 degrees
Whiskers: tough
 
Becephalus said:
Guys, thanks for your responses. As I have also now trialled an Astra Super Chrome for the same result, I wonder if the problem lies with either my brush (Semogue 830) or our infamous West Australian hard water :(:(

Thoughts welcome thanks.
Click to expand...

I'm in Perth, I really don't think it is the brush or the water. I also have a tough beard :)
If you get a good prep, and work up a good lather, concentrate on your technique. Maybe try a blade in a different razor too. Some blades work better in different razors, you won't know until you try.

And a blade that suits me, or Alfredus or anyone else, may not suit you. I've tried the Voskhods, they are brilliant for the first shave, good for the second, and unbearable for the 3rd - other people swear by them. Might be worth checking out some sample blades from @Lifes a Peach if there's still some available https://paste-and-cut.com.au/community/threads/de-blade-sampler-packs-for-new-members.2098/
 
GregP said:
I'm in Perth, I really don't think it is the brush or the water. I also have a tough beard :)
If you get a good prep, and work up a good lather, concentrate on your technique. Maybe try a blade in a different razor too. Some blades work better in different razors, you won't know until you try.

And a blade that suits me, or Alfredus or anyone else, may not suit you. I've tried the Voskhods, they are brilliant for the first shave, good for the second, and unbearable for the 3rd - other people swear by them. Might be worth checking out some sample blades from @Lifes a Peach if there's still some available https://paste-and-cut.com.au/community/threads/de-blade-sampler-packs-for-new-members.2098/
Click to expand...
I have to agree. I love Astra's, Voskhod, Swedish SuperSteel and a variety of other blades that some others don;t like at all. On the other hand I am not keen on Feathers (except for in an iKon 101) and they are a firm favourite around here too. Each to there own.

Get some samples and try out a variety of blades. I would suggest not jumping form one blade to another in the sample pack as well. Use 2 or 3 from a pack and then go to the next pack and so on, this gives you a really good chance to get about a weeks worth of shaves on each pack (I generally ditch a blade after 2 or 3 shaves because I don;t feel that it is worth stretching out the life of something that cost me between 10 and 20 cents) when you have tried them all you can revisit the ones that you felt you liked best that way as well.
 
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