Thread: average blade life

How many shaves per blade do you get on average? I have my first ones coming in the mail; they should arrive today. Thanks!

Assume that you are asking about DE blades?

If so, results vary between blades and users - from one to more than 7 shaves per blade.

Smooth shaving...

It really depends on the blade and the razor. With that said, I don't use any blades that I can't get at least four great shaves out of. I usually go from four to seven shaves with a blade. I do have several though that will go 7-10 shaves should I choose to. FYI-Don't give up on a blade if it doesn't work too well in you razor. Try it in another razor and/or wait a couple months and try it again. You would be surprised what improved technique can "do" for a blade. Enjoy!

Originally Posted by Lince

FYI-Don't give up on a blade if it doesn't work too well in you razor. Try it in another razor and/or wait a couple months and try it again.

Thanks, Bob! How does the razor affect how the blade works? By changing the angle? I only have one, an old gillette that was a gift. My main focus is on learning about straights, but I got blades for this razor since I have it. I guess I was under the impression that the razor itself did little more than hold the blade and results wouldn't change much from razor to razor

Originally Posted by Whipstitch

Thanks, Bob! How does the razor affect how the blade works? By changing the angle? I only have one, an old gillette that was a gift. My main focus is on learning about straights, but I got blades for this razor since I have it. I guess I was under the impression that the razor itself did little more than hold the blade and results wouldn't change much from razor to razor

The whole blade/razor/soap/face matrix of variables make this a "your mileage may vary" (YMMV) thing.
It's recomended that you try a sample pack for instance. A blade/razor combo that might be wonderful for me might feel like a camp saw to another user.
This is ok, we work hard at not being judgmental...
Also - as you skill improves so does the results, blade life and that blade you hated three weeks ago may now be wonderful and your new favorite.

A good workman never blames his tools, as Dad is fond of saying...

You will enjoy the journey, take your time and keep notes...
Smooth shaving.

+1 on MJC's comment. A few words of advice, order loads of different blades to try, find one that feels ok to you and stick with this make for at least 4/6 months. By this time you should be used to shaving with a DE razor and your technique should be about there. Now try a different make you should now have the skill to define whether this blade is better or worse than the ones you've been using. If worse make a note of which razor you used it in (by this time you';ll have more than one I guarantee!!) and then try another if better use for a week before repeating the process. You'll start to build up a picture of best blades for you and which work best in each razor. The different razors will give different shaves depending one, on the blade, but also how that razor is set up in the manufacturing process.
Now your next question will probably be which blade would we recommend, you may as well save your breath because this is where YMMV comes in a blade that's great for me might be the worst one you've ever tried due to so many variables like preparation, razor type, skin type, beard growth and the list goes on and on.
Bets advice experiment yourself and enjoy the journey, welcome to our world of let's try something new and before long you'll have so many razors, soaps, brushes, lotions and potions you'll have trouble getting in the bathroom to actually shave!!

+2 re MJC's post.
I find that generally I get 3 shaves from most blades. But there are blades that are only good for one shave for me, and one(Crystal) that I get 6 out of.

With DE's I usually get 4 and with some blades 7+.
With SE's I usually get 4 with no more than 7
With Injector blades for some reason I almost always get 7+

I did an experiment with a Personna red pack DE blade and went until it was completely worthless and ended at 17 days which was about 5+ days of semi uncomfortable to finally couldn't do it shaves. YMMV

Originally Posted by rodb

I did an experiment with a Personna red pack DE blade and went until it was completely worthless and ended at 17 days which was about 5+ days of semi uncomfortable to finally couldn't do it shaves. YMMV

Yeah, I tried that for a bit. Not worth it, IMO. If blades start getting scarce I might change my tune, but they are cheap enough that
I don't ever intend to push any blade to that point again. 3 and done, unless, as said before, it's a Crystal.

As others have said the number will vary according to the individual and the razor being used and how it is used.

For me I usually get 3 great shaves from a blade. I can go 4 and maybe 5 but the shave isn't quite as good and after that the comfort factor limits any further shaves.