Bottom Tier of Modern DE Blades

Yes, you read that correctly.

After reading thousands of threads extolling the virtues of XYZ blades, it's about time (it's been years) we get to gripe about lousy edges. No, not merely mediocre and middling or just okay.  Downright bottom half of all blades. Blades you'll never use again.

Of course, stipulated that YMMV, opinions and experiences will differ. That's why we're here on this forum.

Not sharp? Not smooth? Don't last long? Inconsistent? Dull? Terrible in my favorite razor?  Prior editions were degraded by changes?

What say you?

Thank you!

I have had terrible experience with Rockwell blades and bottom tier blades from China. In those blades the quality was poor and many of the blades were not sharp enough to shave. In all uses on the first shave, they typically tugged and/or caused a bleeding weeper. I could visually see that the some of the blade edges had imperfections, but chose to see what they felt like (in many razors, including the Henson, which can take nearly all blades). I have a course beard, and maybe those blades are not compatible with that hair type. Some people love those blades, which proves that with every product YMMV. I will never use those blades again.

This topic rolls through about every quarter but it’s still fun to throw shade at Merkur.  Great razors.  Crummy Blades.  So very crummy.  Rockwell?  Great razor.  Crummy blade.  I swear Merkur must make them.  Or perhaps Merkur and Rockwell are buying on the used market?  ?

Anything Derby.


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This topic rolls through about every quarter but it’s still fun to throw shade at Merkur.  Great razors.  Crummy Blades.  So very crummy.  Rockwell?  Great razor.  Crummy blade.  I swear Merkur must make them.  Or perhaps Merkur and Rockwell are buying on the used market?  ?

Lol. I've seen many a thread come up with those two, as well as the derby mentioned by Domenic. Also, there was a recent thread about the new Henson blades - made by RK in China. Apparently, those are just as bad as these other razor manufacturer blades. Finally, I believe a lot bad has been said about Parker blades? Another I've never dared try.

As this list builds, I'll be curious to see where production happens for the lot of them. Obviously, not everyone will agree on what is the best blade... But in general, Israel and St Petersburg seem to be manufacturing locales that spit out some well regarded stuff.

Kai. They just don't work for me at all. I've tried them in multiple razors and in every one it's been tug city.