Thread: DE Blade Life

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.

Originally Posted by jbcohen

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.

What are you shaving...your forehead peachfuzz? You CRAZY!

Originally Posted by joke1176

What are you shaving...your forehead peachfuzz? You CRAZY!

Maybe it was one of those blades that one can strap to keep it sharp

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.