Kai Double Edge Blades

Let's talk about single and double edged razors and the blades that they use.
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Ouchmychin
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Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by Ouchmychin »

I have mailer with 25 Kai blades. The last two uses have been terrible. No ability to cut whiskers without snagging and bouncing into my skin at several points. I was using a Fatboy set to 4. I had just taken out a Polsilber that I had used repeatedly and was getting a bit dull. Not as bad as the Kai. It reminded me of the last time I had used fake blades from Russia; but these were obtained in trade from a member a couple years ago. I tossed the blade. No reason to put up with that when there are so many great blades out there.
Ouchmychin (Pete)
CMur12
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by CMur12 »

That surprises me, Pete. My experience with Kai is that they are very sharp - perhaps too sharp, a la Feather, for me.

- Murray
nicodemus38

Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by nicodemus38 »

excessive sharpness combined with a lack of durability to the edge. common problem.
BeatlesFan
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by BeatlesFan »

I haven't used Kai extensively enough to have an opinion on the longevity/durability of the blade.

For me personally, however, I felt that Kai blades had a bit too much "bite" for my face -- yes, something like my experience with Feather blades. Kai blades are certainly well-respected, and many gents here at SMF have had good results with them, but other blades seem to suit me better (Iridiums, Hospital Use, etc.)

Interesting point about a possible correlation between "excessive" sharpness and lack of longevity/durability. I know of no evidence either pro or con, or even an opinion, but it's an interesting hypothesis nonetheless.
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Ouchmychin
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by Ouchmychin »

Mine nicked me on the first pass. I don't think they got dull that fast. I don't think they were sharp from the get go. I wonder if the edge could be so fine it could tarnish/corrode in the cover paper in my drawer.
Ouchmychin (Pete)
brothers
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by brothers »

Pete, it makes me wonder if perhaps the blades you received through a trade might have been either a bad run or counterfeit blades. Maybe that's why the original owner wanted to trade them away, not believing they were defective but just thinking they weren't something he wanted to keep. If you want, I can send you a few Kai blades that have proven to be good ones for me. Drop me a PM and I'll send them on their way. I enjoy using the Kai blades because they are efficient at cutting whiskers and they last me around 6 to 8 smooth shaves, maybe more.
Gary

SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
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Ouchmychin
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by Ouchmychin »

Thanks Gary. If you send any just make it one or two to try.
Ouchmychin (Pete)
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BPman
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by BPman »

Pete, I tried two and my results were like yours, awful. Mine were bought from Tryablade.com.
nicodemus38

Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by nicodemus38 »

if you use to steep an angle on a knife, it will just curl up on itself
brothers
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by brothers »

Pete, were the results any different with some different Kais?
Gary

SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
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Ouchmychin
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by Ouchmychin »

I am finishing up the blade loading in my razors so I haven't given one a try yet.
Ouchmychin (Pete)
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fallingwickets
Clive the Thumb
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by fallingwickets »

So, on the advice / recommendation of phil (from bullgoose) who mentioned that kai blades had changed(?????) somewhat, I bought a pack to be shipped with some taylors 74. Seriously, the worst blade Ive ever used and JUST as bad as they were when i first tried them several years ago. Good luck to those that can use them....with luck like that buy lotto tickets/hit the casino asap

clive
de gustibus non est disputandum
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fallingwickets
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by fallingwickets »

p.s. will just add that using a blade like personna prep doesnt help the likes of kai in a comparison :lol: :lol: :lol:

clive
de gustibus non est disputandum
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Ouchmychin
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by Ouchmychin »

Yesterday I did a polish with a KAI blade in my Fatboy. My experience was that it didn't pull or knick but it took a lot of strokes to get close to bbs. I would say I prefer both the Hospital Personnas, the 7Oclosk Supers (yellow box), and the Polsilvers that I am using to the Kai. It seemed to be closer to a Rapala in sharpness.
Ouchmychin (Pete)
brothers
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by brothers »

The Kai DE blade paired with the Gillette Rocket HD500 is one of the smoothest combos I've experienced in a very long time. Something special about these two when matched up together.
Gary

SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
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fallingwickets
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by fallingwickets »

glad it works gary and that you had an excellent shave....maybe kai should put a disclaimer on their box hahaha

clive
de gustibus non est disputandum
brothers
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by brothers »

Considering the disappointing results that are reported by more than one of our members, maybe the disclaimer wouldn't be a bad idea! It's either a change in internal quality control or a change in the manufacturing process. This can't be good for sales. Or maybe they're losing interest in the DE market and don't care what the customers are experiencing. I'm starting to think I was lucky to have received blades from a very good product run when I bought mine.
Gary

SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
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Ouchmychin
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by Ouchmychin »

Gary, the Kai blade I recently reported on was one that you sent me from your stock. It was good but not as good as my favorites.
Ouchmychin (Pete)
brothers
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Re: Kai Double Edge Blades

Post by brothers »

The YMMV factor is a very real concept Pete. In my case, my favorite blade is the Personna hospital use, and I truly believe, as you have also stated, I have never found a blade from another manufacturer that is "as good as my favorites". We've got those outside factors such as our own shaving techniques and the characteristics of our specific razors that contribute to our individual expectations and perceptions.
Gary

SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
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