Thread: Blade Question

3 shaves whatever blade i use as i find after i get a tug on my hair and blades sre still cheap.

When I shave exclusively with a DE I'm good for about a week. I often change the blade on Monday. However, I tend to mix it up with DE and str8, so my DE often gets changed by feel.

IMHO go for comfort. If you try to squeeze out as much as you can from a DE blade you will suffer uncomfortable shaves and often pick up some razor burn. It's not worth it.

I thought I'd responded to this one, but apparently not - it does come up from time to time. Three shaves isn't a bad rule of thumb, but things vary from blade to blade, sometimes within a single pack in the case of certain brands.

The benchmark for blade longevity as far as I'm concerned is the now discontinued Gillette Platinum (Swede). One of those is probably good for a week, maybe more: I can only put that down to an unusually smooth finish on the edge. The opposite case is the Feather, unusually aggressive and bitey for the first shave, settles down to just plain fantastic for the second, all right at best for the third ... and then the edge falls off a cliff. I really know about it if I push one of those too far, it feels like shaving with a saw. So: three shaves with a Feather and then it's out, and quite possibly only two.

Clearly mileages vary significantly here, but if we assume that a middle of the road blade like the Personna is good for three shaves, the economics don't look too bad to me, especially if you bulk buy.

Three shaves with the Feather.
Two with an Astra, but sometimes 10 seconds if it's a bad one and I just chuck it straight away. Get 1 or 2 'bad ones' (don't suit my face and scratch and pull) per pack of 5. Rarely get a bad Feather - does happen, but not very often.

Hello, Jimph:

Those Feathers are great blades, yes. I use them along with the Gillette 7 O'Clock "Sharp Edge" yellow packs. I give each blade three shaves only before replacing it.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by wils0n

How long using a razor blade ?

I go 4-5 shaves before I change it out.

Normally 4 shaves for me using a Feather or Personna Blade.

I have been out of this community for a good while now, but I've come to learn a few things.
As far as blades go, get yourself a blade sample pack and go from there. I bought one from wcs and just had at it. I put a blade in and try to see how many good shaves I can get from it, but sometimes you just get bad blades. What was said about feather being harsh-great-good-fall off cliff is what I experienced. On one of my favs, the 7 o clock, I can get about 6 shaves before it starts to tug.

I have the good fortune to have a good supply of these but they are hard to find even among hobbyists and they are no longer made. I have tried many other blades but none come close to the Swedes. What a shame that someone at Gillette doesn't realize the sizable market that they would have if they resumed manufacturing these. Go figure!