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Just thought I'd see about how many shaves that people manage to get out of each DE blade, I'm sure it varies from person to person and manufacturer to manufacturer. I'm sure some sort of average could be made out of it though still, new to DE and thought I'd see how long to expect a blade to last. I have some merkur's and feather's in route, but plan on using the merkur's and just for touch-up or when I want a quicker shave.
From what I've read, back in the days when the DE was the main razor folks changed blades once a week. There are a lot of variables in blade longevity.
I have gone anywhere from six months to two years depending on the brand of blade. I had a Super Dinosaur that went for two years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbcohen
What are you shaving...your forehead peachfuzz? You CRAZY!
Maybe it was one of those blades that one can strap to keep it sharpQuote:
Originally Posted by joke1176
I can't find it right now but over on B&B there was a poll about this about 3 weeks ago. I think the average was 3.5 shaves per blade. For me it's closer to 1..
My favourite blades are Derbys and Israeli Super+ Platinums either of which will last me 7 shaves - I know because before I started using straights I used to change blades on a Sunday. Usually that was only 5 or 6 shaves but some weeks I shave every day.
I still use my HD occasionally and enjoy a DE shave just as much as a straight shave although it's not as close and I now object to "wasting money" on blades (as I tend to see it these days).
For me not to struggle with it - 2-3 shaves, but when I did not know better and tried to save 20 cents a week, I'd push it for 5 shaves. Of course it also depends on a blade, some are better then others.
You can buy a hundred good blades on Ebay for about $13 delivered. These are inexpensive but I can get 3,4,5 shaves out of them. Or, you can go spend $5 on 5 blades and get 3,4,5 shaves out of them. I think rust is the most aggressive enemy of a double edge blade.
DE blades are stainless....
I think your whiskers are the real enemy of the thin DE blades.
Thanks for all of the responses, just got my first DE - a merkur slant - with some feather and merkur blades, I'm guessing I'll get a few shaves out of each blade from the sounds of it.
I know I am digging up an old thread. But, is that shaves per blade they are talking about, or shaves per side of the blade?
If it is a DE and they say 3 shaves, would that be 6? One for each edge?
Sorry, but I did not want to post a new thread for somthing that was already here.
As most users will use both sides of the blade during a shave, the 3 shaves would be the total number.
For me, with Derby's, 3 or 4 shaves per blade. There was a thread going on at B&B started by Dave Irving who decided to take a DE blade and strop it before each use (IIRC he was using a stropping device designed for either old DE blades or the single edge wedge blades). Last I looked in he was at 29 or 30 shaves on the blade.
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well my DE razor is defective, so I can only get a shave out of one side of it. Usually I can go about two weeks without messing with it, then it starts to get dull so I turn the blade around and shave with that for another two weeks. I'm young though, so my soft peach fuzz is no match for those blades :D
*edit* I forgot to mention, I usually use Dorco blades. They aren't top-of-the-line, but they get the job done.
Daily DE shaver here. I can get 8-9 shaves out of a vintage Wilkinson Light Brigade, 7-8 from Vintage Gillette "Spoilers", Derby gives about 5-6, others average about 5, Feathers about 4 . Some swear by Gillette "Swedes" and get 10+. I've never tried them, but will.
Roger
I get about 2 good shaves and one more good enough, but I only use it 3 or 4 times a month.
Then I get another shave by flipping the blade over, then I can do that again to get one more, sometimes. I use Wilkinson Sword (they only have one kind in the UK and you are lucky if you can find them) or Bolzano blades that I picked up when i bought the razor, in Bolzano, Italy.
I got 3 from Derbys, and Red IPs. Feathers, Super Iridiums and Personna Injectors can last me 6 shaves or more.
For me, the number of shave per blade definitely varies based on the blade. I can get about 5 -6 shaves with a Gillette Swede or the new Gillette Platinum. For Feather, I get about 3 -4 shaves. With a Red Personna, Derby and Crystals about 4 shaves is all I can get before the blade gets dull.
Gentlemen,
I have a general rule for double edge razor blades: Two shaves per blade.
These days I use Feathers and Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge ("yellow") only and the rule applies to them as well.
Two shaves and a new blade. Life's too short to wrestle with a somewhat dull blade just to squeeze every penny out of it as possible.
Obie
I usually change the blade once a week, whether it needs it or not. Blades are cheap enough (well, last time I bought any) that I can afford a sharp edge when I'm not using my straight. I can usually get 4-5 out of a Derby, Feather or Merkur without trouble, but I have a pretty sparse beard.
Sensei Kyle,
I envy gentlemen shavers with beards on the lighter side. Mine is as thick as a Roman legion on the march. Throw in three passes per shave and the poor double edge blade doesn't stand a chance. That's why my rule of two shaves per blades.
Regards,
Obie
Back when I was using a safety I had eight Gillette Super speeds in a rotation, coupled with the fact that I have an extreemly light beard that cuts very easliy. So each razor was up rarely and when it was up had very little cutting to do so I could get six months to two years out of a blade.
I usually only get two or three shaves from a DE-blade.
However, now I only use DE for travelling.
I can assure you, there are times I envy guys with a thicker beard. My other rule is once a blade begins to tug at all, it's replaced.Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
Has anybody used the Persona DE blades fro Walmart? They are less than $2 for a 10 pack.
I reckon about 3 for a Personna 7 o'clock yellow or Feather; 4 or maybe 5 for a Super Iridium; and easily 5 for a Swede. And about half a shave for a Derby.
I will get a max of 3 shaves out of a blade. I'm experimenting with hand stropping to see if I can extend that number.
Kind regards,
Back in the day when Gillette sold the blue which were carbon steel you used them 1x and that was it. A hardy soul might use it two times but rust was a real issue with those. When Wilkenson came out with the sword stainless probably in the 60s they advertised a minimum of 10 shaves and most got way more. These days the blades are really inferior to the old ones and rely on the coatings to do the job so when the coating go that's it. I usually get about 3 shaves from a mercur or feather. They will still shave after 3 but become uncomfortable.