Thread: Blade Question

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

Originally Posted by Obie

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 ?

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.