RayClem's Blade Evaluations

Saturday Shave- Van Der Hagen Ice Tempered

In post #495, I indicated that I would be using the Van Der Hagen (VDH) blade for todays shave, but because of previous experience with the blade purchase a few years ago, I was not looking forward to the shave. While the blades are still marked "ice tempered", that is the only thing in common with the blades of the past. I got a splendid shave.

Because of the "ice tempered" designation, I presume the blade were made by Giesen and Forstoff, the maker of Timor "ice tempered blades" in the past. While the Timor blades no longer are marketed as "ice tempered", the VDH blades still are. However, I do not know if they are actually cryo-tempered. I figured that the best I could expect would be that the VDH blades would be similar to the Timor blades that I rated as decent blades (4 sharpness, 4 smoothness), but I was surprised to find the VDH blades to perform much better than that.

I started off with the Chinese King C Gilllette blade in the Karve C-plate razor. The blade, now nearing its 3rd usee was still quite sharp, but not particularly smooth. After a few strokes, I replaced it with a fresh Van Der Hagen blade that I purchased at Meijer a couple of weeks ago. While there was some initial blade resistance during the WTG pass, the blade soon became sharper. I was easily able to achieve a near-BBS shave after using buffing strokes on my clean-up pass. It was certainly not the sharpest blade I have used, but it was plenty sharp. Furthermore, when I applied witch hazel after the shave, I got no feedback. Thus, the blade made me seem foolish for doubting its ability.

Based on the results of this shave, I am rating the blade 4.5 sharpness and 5 smoothness. That is far superior to the Timor and on par with some of my favorite blades. That is quite the achievement for a blade I once rated as one of the worst I have ever used. The only thing keeping this blade from becoming a favorite is that it is only available in 5 blade tucks rather than in bulk. That makes it somewhat expensive. However, because the VDH blade is available off the shelf at many pharmacies, I am pleased to be able to recommend it for those who need to pick up a few blades locally.

I plan to use the VDH blade again on its 2nd use for Monday's shave to see if it still performs similarly. The only two blades remaining in the series are the two Gillette Super Thin blades. I have a couple of the blades sold in Thailand, but there is another version sold in Vietnam. Although I believe the blades blades are made in China, I understand that the blades might not be identical. I am waiting for the Vietnamese branded blades to arrive from Asia courtesy of ErkRusselReserve. Since my supply of both blades is limited, I want to evaluate them using a face-off shave to determine if they are the same or different. Thus, after Monday's shave, it might be awhile before I am able to post the final blade evaluations.

In the meantime, I love hearing the results of your experiences with various razor and blade combinations.

Team blade,

I continued my journey utilizing the bic chrome with all of my razors for at least 2 uses before tossing. To date, they have been used with an ATT M1, Karve B, Karve C, GC 68, and Carbon mild. Next up will be the Timeless 68 and Overlander.

Every razor combo has provided a 3 pass BBS with minor feedback. The beauty here is the broad usage the blade offers. Stand by for the last 2 razors and final report.

Sent from my SM-A536U using Tapatalk

Saturday Shave- Van Der Hagen Ice Tempered

In post #495, I indicated that I would be using the Van Der Hagen (VDH) blade for todays shave, but because of previous experience with the blade purchase a few years ago, I was not looking forward to the shave. While the blades are still marked "ice tempered", that is the only thing in common with the blades of the past. I got a splendid shave.

Because of the "ice tempered" designation, I presume the blade were made by Giesen and Forstoff, the maker of Timor "ice tempered blades" in the past. While the Timor blades no longer are marketed as "ice tempered", the VDH blades still are. However, I do not know if they are actually cryo-tempered. I figured that the best I could expect would be that the VDH blades would be similar to the Timor blades that I rated as decent blades (4 sharpness, 4 smoothness), but I was surprised to find the VDH blades to perform much better than that.

I started off with the Chinese King C Gilllette blade in the Karve C-plate razor. The blade, now nearing its 3rd usee was still quite sharp, but not particularly smooth. After a few strokes, I replaced it with a fresh Van Der Hagen blade that I purchased at Meijer a couple of weeks ago. While there was some initial blade resistance during the WTG pass, the blade soon became sharper. I was easily able to achieve a near-BBS shave after using buffing strokes on my clean-up pass. It was certainly not the sharpest blade I have used, but it was plenty sharp. Furthermore, when I applied witch hazel after the shave, I got no feedback. Thus, the blade made me seem foolish for doubting its ability.

Based on the results of this shave, I am rating the blade 4.5 sharpness and 5 smoothness. That is far superior to the Timor and on par with some of my favorite blades. That is quite the achievement for a blade I once rated as one of the worst I have ever used. The only thing keeping this blade from becoming a favorite is that it is only available in 5 blade tucks rather than in bulk. That makes it somewhat expensive. However, because the VDH blade is available off the shelf at many pharmacies, I am pleased to be able to recommend it for those who need to pick up a few blades locally.

I plan to use the VDH blade again on its 2nd use for Monday's shave to see if it still performs similarly. The only two blades remaining in the series are the two Gillette Super Thin blades. I have a couple of the blades sold in Thailand, but there is another version sold in Vietnam. Although I believe the blades blades are made in China, I understand that the blades might not be identical. I am  waiting for the Vietnamese branded blades to arrive from Asia courtesy of ErkRusselReserve. Since my supply of both blades is limited, I want to evaluate them using a face-off shave to determine if they are the same or different. Thus, after Monday's shave, it might be awhile before I am able to post the final blade evaluations.

In the meantime, I love hearing the results of your experiences with various razor and blade combinations.

I'm glad to see the VDH blades worked out well. I have to say, they do seem a bit on the pricey side lurking around the $5 mark for just a pack of five. I think I paid just a tad more than half of that for a 10 pack of Wizamet blades which so far I have enjoyed in the razors I have used them in so far. The ice tempered thing or the cryogenic thing does make me curious because my preference in guitar strings are called Blue Steel, and they are allegedly cryogenically activated. Whatever the heck that means, but I really do love the way they feel. That said, I did see these VDH blades which for some reason, maybe I'm just cynical I just have a feeling they wouldn't be the best blades. Is anybody here ever tried these?

Team blade,

I continued my journey utilizing the bic chrome with all of my razors for at least 2 uses before tossing. To date, they have been used with an ATT M1, Karve B, Karve C, GC 68, and Carbon mild. Next up will be the Timeless 68 and Overlander.

Every razor combo has provided a 3 pass BBS with minor feedback. The beauty here is the broad usage the blade offers. Stand by for the last 2 razors and final report.

Sent from my SM-A536U using Tapatalk

I generally toss my blades after three shaves. If I really dislike a blade or just don't enjoy shaving with it, sometimes I'll throw it away after the first shave. I have tried to get better and at least get a second shave with it to see if it's any better. I'm going through most of my razors with the Wizamet blades. Even in the more aggressive Lupo 127, which would seem a very aggressive combination, I enjoyed the shave. I'm thinking tomorrow it's going to go into my Timeless Bronze 0.38. I'm hoping I don't regret that one! Then, for my next shave after that, I'm thinking my Lupo 95 OC.

All great razors that you're using, no doubt. They're definitely all a bit on the milder side for my preference I have tried the GC 68, the Karve C, the Timeless .68 , and I have the Overlander. Though I have said it over and over again, I can't emphasize how much I love that razor. And I have the stainless steel Carbon, but I have the ++ plate with the biggest gap.

Team blade,

I continued my journey utilizing the bic chrome with all of my razors for at least 2 uses before tossing. To date, they have been used with an ATT M1, Karve B, Karve C, GC 68, and Carbon mild. Next up will be the Timeless 68 and Overlander.

Every razor combo has provided a 3 pass BBS with minor feedback. The beauty here is the broad usage the blade offers. Stand by for the last 2 razors and final report.

Sent from my SM-A536U using Tapatalk

Tommy

The razors you have tried with the BIC Chrome Platinum are all fairly mild shavers, at least based on blade gap. The Karve C-plate, which I used for the evaluations, is one of the more aggressive of the razors, but it is still only moderate. I find that using super sharp blades in milder razors is a wonderful combination. I suspect you will get great shaves with the Timeless 0.68 and Overlander as well. I am delighted you are finding similar results to mine.

You indicated you are getting minor feedback after the shave. If you are applying an alcohol based aftershave, that is to be be expected. I apply witch hazel that is 14-15% alcohol, so it can cause feedback if the shave is less than ideal, but not like an aftershave that has 50% alcohol.  Of course, some shavers like the brisk "slap in the face" that an alcohol-based aftershave provides. I am not one of them.

metal_shavings

Thanks for the update on the Van Der Hagen pricing.

I paid $3.15 for a 5-blade tuck at Meijer. The Van Der Hagen web sites calls these blades "Primary" blades. They indicate these blades are made of "ice tempered" steel and are produced in Germany,

Your reference is to 10 blades for $2.97 which is half the price I paid. However, they are Van Der Hagen "Basics" blades and do not say anything about being "ice tempered" or made in Germany. I do not know if they are the same blades that I tested.

The vanderhagen.com web site also shows blades in 25 count and 50 count packages, but they only say they are Super Stainless blades. They do not indicate "ice tempered", "Primary", "Basics" or the country of manufacture. Thus, they might be an entirely different blade from the other two.  If anyone procures some of the other blades and is willing to send me a couple, I will be glad to evaluate them in comparison to the "primary" VDH blade. At this time, the only blade I can recommend is the "Primary" blade.

Razor blade marketing sure can get confusing.

I will adjust my spreadsheet to more clearly identify the VDH blades I used.

 RayClem@"metal_shavings"

Thanks for the update on the Van Der Hagen pricing.

I paid $3.15 for a 5-blade tuck at Meijer. The Van Der Hagen web sites calls these blades "Primary" blades. They indicate these blades are made of "ice tempered" steel and are produced in Germany,

Your reference is to 10 blades for $2.97 which is half the price I paid. However, they are Van Der Hagen "Basics" blades and do not say anything about being "ice tempered" or made in Germany. I do not know if they are the same blades that I tested.

The vanderhagen.com web site also shows blades in 25 count and 50 count packages, but they only say they are Super Stainless blades. They do not indicate "ice tempered", "Primary", "Basics" or the country of manufacture. Thus, they might be an entirely different blade from the other two.  If anyone procures some of the other blades and is willing to send me a couple, I will be glad to evaluate them in comparison to the "primary" VDH blade. At this time, the only blade I can recommend is the "Primary" blade.

Razor blade marketing sure can get confusing.

I will adjust my spreadsheet to more clearly identify the VDH blades I used.

metal_shavings

Thanks for the update on the Van Der Hagen pricing.

I paid $3.15 for a 5-blade tuck at Meijer. The Van Der Hagen web sites calls these blades "Primary" blades. They indicate these blades are made of "ice tempered" steel and are produced in Germany,

Your reference is to 10 blades for $2.97 which is half the price I paid. However, they are Van Der Hagen "Basics" blades and do not say anything about being "ice tempered" or made in Germany. I do not know if they are the same blades that I tested.

The vanderhagen.com web site also shows blades in 25 count and 50 count packages, but they only say they are Super Stainless blades. They do not indicate "ice tempered", "Primary", "Basics" or the country of manufacture. Thus, they might be an entirely different blade from the other two.  If anyone procures some of the other blades and is willing to send me a couple, I will be glad to evaluate them in comparison to the "primary" VDH blade. At this time, the only blade I can recommend is the "Primary" blade.

Razor blade marketing sure can get confusing.

I will adjust my spreadsheet to more clearly identify the VDH blades I used.

The VDH basics are just called “super” stainless. I meant to, but neglected to mention, the back of the box does indicate manufacturing in China.

metal_shavings

OK, that helps clarify things.
The Van Der Hagen "Basics" are made in China.
The Van Der Hagen "Primary" blades are made in Germany.

Although the Primary blades still say "ice tempered", they are quite different than the blades of a few years ago. If you handed me these blades and told me they were made in Germany without specifying "ice tempered", my suspicion would be that they are the same as Personna Platinum blades made for a 3rd party. It used to be quite common for Personna to sell the Platinum blades as generic blades for various pharmacies, both when they were still made in Israel and when the production was first moved to Germany. I have not seen any of these 3rd party blades recently, but Personna might have started that practice once again. I believe Timor still makes ice-tempered blades, but if the VDH Primary blades were made by Timor, it is surprising that they were even sharper than the Timor branded blades. I might need to try a face-off shave between VDH and Timor to see if my original ratings still hold.

If you would be willing to send me a couple of the Chinese blades, I will be glad to evaluate them as I have not seen them locally, but I have not really looked for them.

metal_shavings

OK, that helps clarify things.
The Van Der Hagen "Basics" are made in China.
The Van Der Hagen "Primary" blades are made in Germany.

Although the Primary blades still say "ice tempered", they are quite different than the blades of a few years ago. If you handed me these blades and told me they were made in Germany without specifying "ice tempered", my suspicion would be that they are the same as Personna Platinum blades made for a 3rd party. It used to be quite common for Personna to sell the Platinum blades as generic blades for various pharmacies, both when they were still made in Israel and when the production was first moved to Germany. I have not seen any of these 3rd party blades recently, but Personna might have started that practice once again. I believe Timor still makes ice-tempered blades, but if the VDH Primary blades were made by Timor, it is surprising that they were even sharper than the Timor branded blades. I might need to try a face-off shave between VDH and Timor to see if my original ratings still hold.

If you would be willing to send me a couple of the Chinese blades, I will be glad to evaluate them as I have not seen them locally, but I have not really looked for them.

Sure, I'll pick up a pack just let me know how many you would need. It's only $2.97 for a 10 pack at my local Walmart. That's the only place that I'm seeing them locally for me. For $3, I'll pick up a pack for the cause!

metal_shavings

When you sent the info about the VCH "basics" blades, I assumed you already have some. Before you go out and purchase a 10 pack, let me check the Walmart about a mile from my home to see if they have them. My wife is making her weekly Walmart run in the morning. I will get her to check the shaving aisle to see what they have. I will let you know what we find.