Personna 74

[BeatlesFan]

Today I opened a NIB pack of vintage Personna 74 "Tungsten" blades.

I'm guessing that these would have been manufactured in the 1970s.

First impressions: The packaging is a problem. The blade would not slide out no matter what I did. I ended up having to break the case to retrieve my first blade. Possibly the blades would have slid out more easily "back in the day" but were now too embedded in there. Anyway, I've never been a huge fan of those sliding gizmos, and this was the worst yet.

Once opened (thanks to some heavy equipment from the toolbox on my workbench), the blades appeared to be in perfect shape. No rust or visible deterioration. So I loaded one up in my 1948 Gillette U.S. Aristocrat, prepped, and shaved.

The shave quality was outstanding. As good as anything I've ever used, and better than almost anything else. Maybe Gordon is right, and vintage blades from the "Golden Age" really were/are superior to currently manufactured stuff.

After a good, careful shave: No nicks, cuts, tugging, or irritation. And a DFS. Maybe not BBS, but then I wasn't going for that. It just glided through the whiskers with no drama and no damage to my face at all.

Very impressed. Recommended without reservation, if you can find any. (Except for the bad packaging!)

[Ouchmychin]

I found a supplier on ebay and haven't opened the boxes yet. He limits you to 2 cartridges. I got two a year ago and the mechanism worked flawlessly. Not sure what happened to yours. I would suggest next time grab the WD-40 and give it a spray first. It shoud loosen up the thing after a sit. My impression is that the Schick razor and 74 blade gives the best shave of all my razors. It lasts better than the DEs in my colledtion too and that includes Feather, 7 O'clocls, Super Irridiums and a hand full of others.

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Ouchmychin (Pete)

[paddy]

there have been folks singing the praises of these particular blades for a quite a few years now. the ebay prices reflect that. one of their best qualities is their longevity. they are very, very good blades, but not THE best vintage blade that i have tried.

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Remember: this is all just wasted time and lives talking nonsense to strangers about pieces of metal, hair and chemical compounds.

[Shave4Fun]

I had an old pkg like that and soaked it in mineral oil. They came right out.
Roger

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Roger

I've been a wet shaver for 40+ years!

[desertbadger]

I keep a couple magazines of vintage blades in a small container filled with jojoba oil. A little messy the first time it's used, but the blades slide out just like they're supposed to.

Regards,
David

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Gotta have the "Fat"!

[L. Martino]

Hiya,

Well, I think those Personna74 injector blades may be just a little too sharp for comfort. In my case, I find em to be more unforgiving that I prefer with a blade that sharp. I'll normally use either an old Personna Super Stainless(sharp but forgiving), or Gillette Platinum Plus (really sharp and slightly forgiving).

Now the Personna74 DE blade is something else. That thing is a blast to s shave with.........sharp as hell but with a little bit of wiggle room if needed. Very smooth and fun blade.

Martin

Last two pics are the Gillettes I found at a flea market. You can see on the key they're dated 1970....cute eh? Now those blades are right up there with the 74s for sharpness, but with a smidge more of a forgiving nature.

[ShadowsDad]

I understand the attraction to using anything vintage, but I have a question. First some background.

I have some modern, really excellent blades that I decided are my best blades. I mean they are fantastic! I can't imagine a better blade or a finer shave coming from any blade.

Now the question. I know that the vintage blades demand a premium 'cause they aren't being made anymore and the supply is finite. Are they worth the price based on far superior performance or are they marginally better, and the rest of the justification of the price is nostalgia?

Hey, I use razors from 100 years ago so I understand the nostalgia effect. I'm not trying to start trouble, I'm just curious because some vintage blades are available as I write. I was learning to blade shave during the years those blades were made, and I didn't think they were special, but I was learning and gave it up pretty quick too from lack of knowledge and anyone to teach me.

Thanks!

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Brian

Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum http://www.krampertsfinest.com/
Or find it at Bullgoose, Italian Barber and LeesRazors

[L. Martino]

[ShadowsDad]

Yes, DE blades only. My question was regarding the Personna 74s and not injectors.

_________________
Brian

Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum http://www.krampertsfinest.com/
Or find it at Bullgoose, Italian Barber and LeesRazors

[paddy]

it's definitely not nostalgia. it's purely for performance that i have them for.

that said there are a few modern and current production blades that i rate highly and use from time to time as well.

_________________
Remember: this is all just wasted time and lives talking nonsense to strangers about pieces of metal, hair and chemical compounds.

[L. Martino]

[ShadowsDad]

Martin, well, I don't think so... I've been testing blades for 10 months now, and have exhaustively tested at least 30 blades, and my standards are very high. Iridiums are good for me and made the cut. They were one of 3 that made it out of the 30 or so blades tested.

-----

OK, I'll give the ones for sale a try if they're still available and see if they give a shave that's 3x better (to justify the price) than the DE blades that are currently my best blades that I stock.

They have a heck of an act to follow though and I can't imagine it. It'll be kinda like having sex and a shave at the same time I guess.

Thanks guys.

_________________
Brian

Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum http://www.krampertsfinest.com/
Or find it at Bullgoose, Italian Barber and LeesRazors

[L. Martino]

[L. Martino]

[paddy]

brian, i would be willing to lay money that there will be at least one of the following five vintage blades which, when you try it, will outperform your current number one blade:

gillette platinum plus
gillette spoiler
wilkinson 'the blade' / super sword edge
personna 74
schick platinum

it's your job (duty?!) to find out which one is the golden ticket for you!

_________________
Remember: this is all just wasted time and lives talking nonsense to strangers about pieces of metal, hair and chemical compounds.

[L. Martino]

[Whistler]

In my slim adjustable also, it's so hard to explain something like this when the person has not sampled vintage blades for themself. Vintage blades are all I shave with these day's, I went the same route trying every blade out there, easily over 50 brands other than Swedes which are gone now and Super Iridium's I never found a blade that can match vintage blades that work for me. Either they were to sharp, to dull, or lasted for only a shave or two. Vintage I can get a weeks worth of shaves and I shave every day for two passes. Never found a current production blade that could match the longevity, comfort, and forgivness of vintage.

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Regards,
Marty
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"Be still! Me mind is a raging torrent flooded with rivulets of thought cascading in a waterfall of creative alternatives."

[ShadowsDad]

Yes, the Gillette Yellows definitely made the cut. The 3rd , and they just squeaked by, were the Personna Med Preps. But they aren't in the same league as the other 2 IMO. They got in because they work for me in all of my razors, have longevity, and are made in USA, but I don't think they are as sharp or as smooth. But it's been months since I used one.

I'm about to drop the hammer on the 65 blades in the sell/trade section. I figure if I don't like them, I can sell what I don't use.

I wasn't trying to go there but I will be contacting those who suggested that. Thanks gents.

_________________
Brian

Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum http://www.krampertsfinest.com/
Or find it at Bullgoose, Italian Barber and LeesRazors

[L. Martino]

Hiya,

Most vintage blades I've tried over the years have been good or better than good. Sure there's been some clunkers as well, but they only take a few strokes to figure out if they're worth a whole shave. Heh, those modern Black Beautys Leisureguy liked so much were ones I despised....lasted two downward strokes. He was always recommending shaving crap I never did like, but I still miss him posting.

So not all vintage blades are the same............just like currently made pieces. The thing is, there's maybe 6-8 vintage blades that get the best reviews and you may have to sample more than a few to find the exact match up. Yep, just like now in the real world. For example, I'm not a huge Spoiler fan...I think they're very good blades but not quite as good a fit as others. I was gonna include that type because of all the good press it gets. I mighta put a nice old Schick Super Stainless Platinum or another Gillette in there as a personal choice. I love some of those things.

Far as paying a bunch of cash for em.....personally I can't see it. Well, that's not true at all, only because I manage to find most blades for a reasonable price (74's excepted). There's still many good deals on old blades, but you gotta be selective and patient. Even a top blade (except the 74s) isn't gonna sell for more that a buck a blade. We're talking a few more pennies per shave here....why not go crazy...heh.

Lots of blades go for half a buck each in lot sizes, so it's good to know what to spend cash on in case something pops up. This is luckily a rabbit hole with some kinda bottom......I'm sure of it (nervous chuckle).

Martin

Yeah, many people mention how many more shaves they get, so that's something to consider. Still, it's not the main reason for buying em....it's how they shave.

[ShadowsDad]

BeatlesFan, Sorry I hijacked your thread.

I'm starting another where this can continue.

_________________
Brian

Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum http://www.krampertsfinest.com/
Or find it at Bullgoose, Italian Barber and LeesRazors