Which DE Blades Fit a TC4 Titanium Safety Razor?

TC4 titanium razor blades — which double-edge blade actually pairs cleanly with a Grade-5 titanium razor head? This page is a live DE blade compatibility test database, run on the ORMIXA Vector TC4 by the razor’s manufacturer. Every wet shaving forum thread on TC4 titanium razor blades eventually arrives at the same question: what blade should I use with my razor? Most answers are anecdotal — “I love Astras”, “Feathers are too sharp”, “Voskhods are underrated.” All of that is one person’s experience, usually after one shave, often on a razor totally unlike yours.

The Vector TC4 titanium safety razor used in this database is manufactured by Guangzhou Yanyang Technology Co., Ltd. under trademark license and sold by ECE Innovate Homes LLC. We are systematically testing every double-edge blade we can get our hands on — multiple shaves each, scored on a fixed rubric, with video evidence per session. This page is the live database.

Early stage: This database currently has 4 completed pairing tests (Astra Superior Platinum, Voskhod, Wilkinson Sword Saloon Pack, Wilkinson Sword Classic). Cycle per pairing: ~1 week of shaving (3 shaves at 72-hour spacing) + 1-2 weeks of writing and review — so new pairings typically publish on a 2-3 week cadence. Bookmark this page — it is updated on a rolling basis.

Why We’re Doing This

Three reasons.

First, ORMIXA manufactures the Vector under trademark license from Guangzhou Yanyang Technology. We should know — concretely, with data — how the razor performs across the full range of DE blades a customer might mount in it. “I tried Astras once and they’re fine” isn’t enough. This project forces deliberate, scored use across every major mass-market blade on the same physical razor.

Second, customers ask. Every week, several emails land in support: which blade with this razor? Until now the honest answer was “try a sample pack.” A documented database — fixed rubric, video evidence, manufacturer-conducted testing disclosure — is a better answer than passing the buck.

Third, calibration. The interaction between a blade’s coating, its edge angle, and the Vector’s cap/baseplate geometry only shows up after multiple blades have run through the same head. Each tested blade sharpens our read on what the geometry is actually doing — input for the next razor we manufacture.

A Note on the Razor Used

Every test in this database is conducted on the ORMIXA Vector razor. The Vector ships in two material versions:

• Vector 316L — 316L stainless steel (precision-machined)
• Vector TC4 — TC4 titanium alloy

Current pricing is on the Vector product page. Both versions share the same blade gap (0.76 mm), head geometry, and weight balance. The only differences are material-driven:

• TC4 dampens vibration more (you feel less blade chatter)
• 316L has slightly more perceived weight per stroke
• Coatings and finish wear patterns differ over years of use

For blade compatibility scoring, these material differences are irrelevant. A blade that scores high on the Vector TC4 will score high on the Vector 316L — the cutting geometry is identical. So this database serves owners of both versions equally.

(URL slug uses “tc4-titanium” because that’s the SEO-relevant keyword — but the data applies to all Vector owners.)

Mild DE razor specifications — the 0.76mm blade gap razor profile

For DE shavers who care about exact geometry (and you should — blade gap matters more than handle material), the Vector is a mild DE razor with a closed comb 0.76 blade gap profile. Full specifications:

The 0.76 mm blade gap and 0.14 mm exposure put the Vector in the mild-to-moderate aggression range. This band covers the comfort zone for most DE shavers — from beginners learning angle control to experienced users who want a daily driver without the bite of an open-comb aggressive head.

Material differences (weight, vibration dampening) do not affect blade scoring — see Razor Note above.

DE Blade Compatibility Test Methodology

Variables we control

• Razor: ORMIXA Vector TC4 Titanium — same physical unit. Specifications:
  • Blade gap: 0.76 mm
  • Blade exposure: 0.14 mm
  • Blade angle: 32°
  • Guard: closed comb, 1.84 mm span
  • Aggression: mild-to-moderate — daily-driver territory rather than aggressive open-comb
  Results transfer 1:1 to the Vector 316L variant — same blade gap and head geometry. See A Note on the Razor Used above.
• Pass pattern: WTG → ATG (2-pass). See “Why 2-pass instead of 3-pass” below for rationale.
• Pressure: minimal — let the razor’s weight do the cutting.

Why 2-pass instead of 3-pass

Every test runs a 2-pass routine (WTG → ATG). We do not include an XTG transition pass.

In testing on the Vector platform, XTG adds marginal closeness benefit but increases irritation likelihood. The 2-pass routine matches our actual daily shaving habit, and consistency across all 13 cluster compatibility tests matters more than adopting a “theoretical standard” we don’t actually use.

Note: 2-pass on a 0.76mm blade gap mild razor still achieves SS-to-DFS levels for most blade/skin combinations. BBS targets require XTG, which is outside this test’s scope.

Pre-shave routine (constant across all 13 tests)

• Cold water splash for 5 seconds (no warm soak)
• ARKO shaving stick applied directly to face
• Lather with TA2 Titanium Line 26mm two-band badger brush (cold water)
• No pre-shave oil, no warm towel, no cream

Why this matters: the routine is pinned so the blade is the only variable that can move the result. Your routine may differ — adjust your interpretation accordingly.

Post-shave routine

• Cold water rinse
• Alum block applied (consistent across all tests)
• Sting/heat sensation noted as part of irritation scoring

Alum block is part of SOP because it’s part of the test team’s actual routine and gives a quick weeper detection signal — visible sting on micro-cuts you didn’t notice during the shave. Without it, irritation data would be less precise.

Variables we document but can’t control

• Beard growth at each shave: standardized at 72 hours since last shave from Shave 2 onward (Shave 1 is a 1-week-stubble baseline — see Methodology Deviations on each cluster).
• Skin condition: any visible irritation / dryness from prior shave
• Use number: shave 1, 2, or 3 of 3 for that blade
• Room temperature & humidity (logged from a shelf hygrometer)

Scoring Rubric

Each dimension is scored 1–10 per session. The blade’s per-session total is the sum across the five dimensions; final score is the average across the 3-shave cycle. Maximum: 50 points per shave.

Closeness (1-10)

• 10/10: True BBS, 48+ hours before re-shave needed
• 9/10: BBS, 4-6 hour peak window
• 8/10: DFS+ (very close, mild stubble in 12-18h)
• 7/10: SS (Socially Smooth) — what most people consider “well-shaved”
• 6/10: Mild stubble visible to touch
• 5/10: Clearly under-shaved
• 1-4: Failed shave

Smoothness (1-10) — drag/glide during the shave

• 10/10: Glass-on-glass, blade fully invisible to face
• 9/10: Effortless, no perceptible drag
• 8/10: Smooth with occasional micro-drag in difficult areas
• 7/10: Noticeable drag in 1-2 spots
• 6/10: Persistent drag requiring re-lather
• 5/10 or below: Painful pulling

Irritation (10 = zero irritation)

• 10/10: Zero weepers, zero alum sting, zero sensation
• 9/10: Zero weepers, light alum sensation only
• 8/10: 1 weeper OR mild post-shave tightness
• 7/10: 1-2 weepers OR alum heat sensation (warm not burning)
• 6/10: Razor burn within 2 hours
• 5/10 or below: Significant nicks, persistent burn

Audible feedback (1-10) — sound of blade vs hair

• 10/10: Crisp, satisfying click-cut
• 9/10: Clear cutting sound, no scraping
• 8/10: Mostly clean, occasional scrape
• 7/10: Mixed clean cut + drag sound
• 6/10 or below: Mostly scraping, blade not engaging

Lather compatibility (1-10)

• 10/10: Blade and lather work together, zero interference
• 9/10: Excellent, no clogging
• 8/10: Good, occasional rinse needed
• 7/10: Workable but blade clogs
• 6/10 or below: Lather/blade fight

Total: out of 50

(Longevity is captured in the Test Period Summary table’s “Fresh / Peak / Late” rows rather than as a single dimension — degradation shape over the 3-shave run is more informative than a one-number longevity grade.)

What we deliberately don’t score

• “Premium feel” — too biased.
• Packaging — irrelevant to the shave.
• Brand prestige — the entire point is to ignore this.

Test process

1. New blade installed. Baseline shave on 1-week stubble (Shave 1, recorded).
2. Same blade used for exactly 3 consecutive shaves. Shaves 2 and 3 are spaced 72 hours apart. This covers the full performance arc:
   • Shave 1 (fresh): coating breaks in, baseline cutting power read on 1-week stubble.
   • Shave 2 (peak, +72h from Shave 1): community reports and our own testing both point to this as where most blades hit their best performance window.
   • Shave 3 (late, +72h from Shave 2): degradation signals, when most experienced wet shavers swap blades.
3. Score recorded immediately, before reading prior session notes.
4. Final score = average of all 3 sessions (out of 50 per shave).

Why exactly 3 shaves with 72-hour spacing?

• Sample size discipline: 3 is the minimum to capture a degradation curve (start / peak / decline). 2 isn’t enough; 4+ provides diminishing marginal data. Vendor claims of “5-7 max use” overstate real-world replacement habit (Sharpologist polls show 52% replace at 3-5).
• 72-hour spacing: at 72h the stubble has reached a 3-day length (roughly 0.5–4 mm) — long enough to reveal a blade’s true cutting character, short enough that hair density remains within a daily-shave reviewer’s frame of reference. 24-48h growth is too forgiving (most blades feel similar). 96h+ growth is too long (different mechanics — closer to beard-trimming territory).
• Skin recovery: 72h between sessions allows complete recovery from any micro-irritation. Faster cadence accumulates skin trauma that confounds blade-attributable scoring.
• Real-world relevance: “every 2-3 days” is one of the most common DE shaving cadences (per B&B forum threads), so testing at 72h matches actual user behavior — not artificially-easy 24h baby-stubble conditions some review sites use.
• Manufacturer’s prerogative: ORMIXA machines the razor, so we set the testing condition that exposes the most performance differences. 72h is the stress test.

Data Source Note

The methodology above isn’t pulled from thin air — it draws on community consensus and published references where they exist:

• A 3-day beard runs roughly 0.5–4 mm — per the Gillette beard length guide.
• Skin recovery threshold and “best shaves at 2-4 days growth” reports — recurring threads on Badger & Blade and r/wicked_edge.
• Blade replacement habit polling (“52% of wet shavers swap at 3-5 shaves”) — per Sharpologist reader surveys.

These references inform the test cadence (72h between sessions) and the test cycle length (3 shaves total). They do not dictate the scoring rubric — that’s calibrated against what actually moves a blade’s perceived quality on the Vector TC4 specifically.

Important Caveats

This database is maintained by the ORMIXA test team. Results reflect:

• Test-team technique and pressure habits
• The specific TC4 razor used — blade gap 0.76 mm, exposure 0.14 mm, closed comb (see full spec table above)

Your experience with the same blades may differ. Treat this database as a starting point — a way to narrow down which sample packs are worth ordering — not as absolute rankings.

We genuinely welcome contradicting experiences in Reddit threads or by email. Counterexamples make the database better.

Disclosure

Internal lab testing. Not sponsored. ORMIXA does not receive commercial consideration from any DE blade vendor for inclusion, ranking, or review in this database.

ORMIXA products are sold by ECE Innovate Homes LLC and manufactured by Guangzhou Yanyang Technology Co., Ltd. under trademark license.

ORMIXA does not sell razor blades. Every blade tested in this project is purchased at retail, with our own money. None of the blade brands listed here have any commercial relationship to ORMIXA, ECE Innovate Homes LLC, or Guangzhou Yanyang Technology.

If you think the manufacturer-conducted testing framing biases the methodology, fair concern. Three countermeasures:

1. Every session is recorded on video — full raw shave footage, not edited highlights. Videos are linked from each cluster pairing data point as they publish.
2. Methodology is published before testing. Results are scored against the published rubric — no retroactive adjustment to favor specific blades.
3. The current top-scoring pairing is not with a blade ORMIXA sells. If a Vector × Russian-factory-blade pairing scores higher than a Vector × premium-Japanese-blade pairing, that is what the database publishes.

Send your own data — we’ll compare.

Current Safety Razor Blade Comparison Database

Sorted by pairing score, descending. Click any row for the full pairing data.

Additional rows are added as cluster compatibility tests go live — see the Currently Testing Queue below for what’s in the pipeline.

Currently Testing Queue

Thirteen blades, 13 weeks. Each entry below has been purchased at retail and either tested or scheduled. Weeks correspond to the 72-hour-cadence cycle (3 shaves over 7 days = 1 week per blade, with overlap on writing weeks).

• W1 — Voskhod Teflon Coated (Russia) — compatibility test published 2026-05-03 → read the pairing data
• W2 — Wilkinson Sword Saloon Pack (India, Gillette India distribution) — compatibility test published 2026-05-13 → read the pairing data
• W3 — Wilkinson Sword Classic (Germany, Polish-market distribution) — compatibility test published 2026-05-23 → read the pairing data
• W4 — Astra Superior Platinum (Russia, P&G) — compatibility test published 2026-06-07 → read the pairing data
• W5 — Gillette Silver Blue (Russia, P&G) — queued
• W6 — Gillette Nacet (Russia, P&G) — queued
• W7 — Personna Stainless (red, Israel) — queued
• W8 — Feather Hi-Stainless (Japan) — queued
  Note: this is the standard Hi-Stainless (black tin), not the Platinum variant (blue tin). The cluster compatibility test will differentiate the two products explicitly.
• W9 — Iridium Super / Wizamet (Russia, P&G) — queued
  Note: Wizamet Super Iridium is the official successor to the legendary Polsilver Super Iridium — same factory, same recipe, different label.
• W10 — Derby Premium (Turkey) — queued
• W11 — Gillette Perma-Sharp (Turkey) — queued
• W12 — Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Stainless (India) — queued
• W13 — Derby Extra (Turkey) — queued

This first batch spans six production regions — Russia (5 blades), Turkey (3), India (2), Israel (1), Japan (1), and Germany (1). A second batch (W14+) will fill in Egypt (Shark Super Stainless), Greece (BIC Chrome Platinum), Italy (Bolzano Superinox), and Pakistan (Treet) among others.

If a blade you care about isn’t on either list, email us and we’ll add it to the buy queue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the rankings change?

Yes. As we accumulate more shaves on each blade and as new blades enter the database, rankings shift. The ranking table at the top is the current state, and it re-orders as data lands.

Why test on a TC4 titanium razor specifically?

The razor’s material affects vibration dampening, perceived weight, and how blade feedback transmits to your hand. Titanium dampens differently than zinc or stainless.

Do these results apply to the Vector 316L (stainless steel)?

Yes — directly. Same blade gap (0.76 mm), same head geometry. A blade ranked #1 here will rank #1 on the 316L.

The only context where material matters: TC4’s vibration dampening makes harsh blades (e.g., Feather) feel slightly less aggressive. On a 316L, the same blade transmits more feedback to your hand. Adjust your expectation by ~10% feedback intensity if you’re a 316L owner reading TC4-specific notes.

Are these results applicable to non-Vector razors?

Partially. The biggest variable for blade behavior is blade gap. The Vector has a 0.76 mm gap with 0.14 mm exposure, which sits in the mild-to-moderate aggression range — the comfort zone for most daily-driver DE shavers.

If your razor has similar parameters (gap 0.5–0.85 mm, exposure under 0.2 mm, closed comb), these rankings should transfer reasonably well. If your razor is significantly more aggressive (gap > 1 mm, open comb), the ranking order may invert — sharper / harsher blades that we rate down may suit your setup better, and the smoother blades we favor may feel underpowered on a more aggressive head.

How can you trust this?

Every test session has video evidence and methodology is published above. See the Disclosure section for the full bias acknowledgment and countermeasures.

When will [specific blade] be tested?

See the queue above. New cluster compatibility tests are added as each blade clears the full 3-shave test cycle — the physical test cycle (exactly 3 shaves at 72-hour spacing = 7 days of shaves per blade) is the bottleneck on cadence.

How do you source the blades you test?

Test packs are purchased through verified retail distributors with broad DE blade selection. Counterfeit Voskhod and Astra packs exist on every large marketplace, so seller reputation is cross-checked before each order. ORMIXA pays retail price for every pack — no manufacturer samples, no affiliate links.

By editorial policy, ORMIXA does not provide blade purchase recommendations to readers. This database documents how specific third-party blades pair with Vector razors — it is not a buying guide for the blades themselves.

Best Double Edge Blades for Titanium Razors — Selection Method

“Best double edge blades titanium razor” is a heavier question than it looks. A ranking only transfers if the razor, the rubric, and the shave count behind it are fixed and disclosed.

Our method runs the opposite direction: same physical Vector TC4, fixed rubric, multiple shaves per blade, video evidence per session. The “best” is whatever survives that protocol. Voskhod TC4 compatibility data is published (40/50); Derby TC4 compatibility is queued for W12. As more pairings clear, the ranking re-orders here in this database — no fixed list, no affiliate-pressured shortlist.

About This Project

ORMIXA started this project because every customer email asked the same question — “what blade?” — and the honest answer was “we don’t know, we never tested systematically.” This database is the fix.

The razor used in every test is the same physical unit — the test team’s daily driver.

Read the full ORMIXA story →

Want to Try TC4 Yourself?

If you want to validate this testing methodology with your own blades, the Vector TC4 is the same razor used in every test in this database.

ORMIXA Vector TC4 →