How long using a razor blade ?
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How long using a razor blade ?
Hello, WilsOn:
How many shaves you get out of a razor blade depends on a number of variables. The most important are the thickness of your beard and the brand of razor blade you use.
I have a heavy beard. My blades are Feather and Gillette 7 O'Clock "Sharp Edge" yellow packs. My general rule, even with these top line sharp blades, is to change blades after three shaves.
Do what best works for you. There really is no set number of shaves per blade. Some gentlemen change blades when they feel tugging. I don't subscribe to that rule for myself: three shaves and then a new blade.
Regards,
Obie
Only 3.. is not expensive ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
Hello, WilsOn:
Thank you for your note.
If you look at the wet shaving world with the straight razor or the double edge, there are certain expenses that one incurs. In my case, changing DE blades every three shaves may cost a little more than if I were to change them once a week, but the expense is worth a healthy and comfortable shave.
Regards,
Obie
Obie's correct. I also find at 3 shaves the quality really starts to go downhill fast. Most DE blades can be had in quantity for pretty reasonable prices. Probably the feather's are the most expensive yet are still cheap compared to a (gulp) cartridge. I've used feathers, mercurs, wilkenson, iridiums, Gillettes. You have to experiment.
This one really is YMMV situation. I can get at least 3 shaves out of most and up to 7.
When I was using my DE on a daily basis, a blade would last me about 1 week. I could have probably gone a few days more, but the quality of the sahve would deteriorate to the point where it just wasn't worth being penny wise and pound foolish.
This is one of the questions I was looking into recently and it really depends on your beard. (Probably some other variables but I don't know what those are)
Although after 7 shaves or so, the razor is still sharp enough to cut you, the little tug on your hair will lead to some irritation.
What blades have you used so far? Derbys last about 5 days for me and the Gillette 7 O'Clock Yellow packs have lasted about 7 days. When you consider buying 10-100 razors, each one will probably cost you between 35-50 cents each.
Let's consider we go with Obie and TheBigSpendur, they like a clean shave and will not tolerate anything less than a smooth cut. That will lead to 122 blade changes per year or anywhere from $60-$100 for moderately priced razors.
Consider what you may have spent previously in blades, shaving cream and whatever else. Start up costs for this hobby is a little bit at first but once you find your niche it becomes very economical, and a little exclusive too.
I usually just use the blade until it starts to tug. And that sort of depends on the manufacturer. But, it's a whole lot cheaper than anything Gillette has in the stable.
Blades and beards differ so the number of shaves will vary accordingly. I also tend to bin blades after 3 shaves, however I can get more from Red Personnas and I find Feathers are best binned after 2 shaves.
Another factor is how many passes. If I do 2 passes for a few days rather than my normal 3 then I seem to get more wear out of a blade (but not such a smooth shave) you will find out how many shaves you can get from each blade just swap them out when they start to pull.
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
I go 4-5 shaves before I change it out.Quote:
Originally Posted by wils0n
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!