Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19
  1. #1
    Member remingtonmarlin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    37
    Thanked: 1

    Default newbie question: How long can I use a DE blade for?

    Hi, I just bought a DE safety razor from SRD.
    Since the blade (high quality ones) are not really cheap, I was wondering how
    many uses I could depend on a DE blade before I toss it away?

    My facial hairs are not growing very fast. Once a week close shave could do the trick.

    So is there any sign I should be looking for before retiring a DE blade?

    Thank you.

  2. #2
    Customized Birnando's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Oslo, Norway
    Posts
    5,079
    Thanked: 1694

    Default

    This is very individual.
    It depends on your whiskers, prep, technique and type of blade.
    You will learn to feel when it is time to switch blade.
    If it shaves comfortably without discomfort and tugging it is still good for one more round.
    I use a DE to shave my head sometimes, and my blades usually lasts for 2-4 shaves.
    The blades I use are Feather, Gillette 7o'clock yellow and Israeli personna.
    Bjoernar
    Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me over all these years....


  3. The Following User Says Thank You to Birnando For This Useful Post:

    remingtonmarlin (02-23-2011)

  4. #3
    Member remingtonmarlin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    37
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    Thank you very much.
    I got the idea.

    More questions: Should I just stick to one side of the blade until it is dull, and then turn to the other side of the blade?
    Or I should use both sides alternatively during each shave?
    There is another one: Should I leave the blade in the razor or remove and clean it, then store somewhere else safely?

    Warning: Those might be stupid questions due to the similarity with something silly like "should you sleep with your beard above the comforter or below it?"

  5. #4
    Customized Birnando's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Oslo, Norway
    Posts
    5,079
    Thanked: 1694

    Default

    Nah, nothing stupid with those questions, we all had them starting out!

    I find that I have the most control of the wear of the 2 edges, if I quite simply use one side until it fills up with lather, then turn it and fill the other side.
    Then I rinse it, and do the same thing all over again.

    Since you are only shaving once a week, I would recommend taking the blade out of the razor. I don't do that myself, but I shave my head every day.
    If you decide to keep it in the razor, at least make sure you rinse it good in hot water, and try to dry it as much as possible(shake it thoroughly).
    Bjoernar
    Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me over all these years....


  6. The Following User Says Thank You to Birnando For This Useful Post:

    remingtonmarlin (02-24-2011)

  7. #5
    The Assyrian Obie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    11,145
    Thanked: 2755

    Default How long can I use a DE blade for?

    Hello, Remingtonmarlin:

    I use high quality blades: Feather, Gillette 7 O'Clock "Sharp Edge" (in the yellow packs) and Super Iridium.

    Once in a while, I also use Persona "Red Packs," Derby, Dorco 301 and Astra. These are two or three tiers down in quality and sharpness — for me, anyway.

    My beard is heavy; therefore, as a rule, I change blades after three shaves. With my beard, the quality of the blade degrades after the third shave. The lower grade blades I change every two shaves, and sometimes every one.

    When shaving, use both sides of the blade. I generally shave in short strokes in this pattern: two strokes, flip the razor, two strokes, flip the razor, and then rinse the shave head.

    Regards,

    Obie

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to Obie For This Useful Post:

    remingtonmarlin (02-24-2011)

  9. #6
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    5,726
    Thanked: 1486

    Default

    Just a data point, I flip the razor over when I switch the blade from one side of my face to the other.

  10. #7
    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    32,736
    Thanked: 5016
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    I never worry about switching sides of the razor. It's too hard to keep track.

    I usually get around 3 shaves per blade. Now I'm using Wilkinson German Blades. They are OK.
    No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to thebigspendur For This Useful Post:

    remingtonmarlin (02-24-2011)

  12. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts
    1,377
    Thanked: 275

    Default

    I use a simple rule:

    . . . If I have to press on the razor, it's time for a new blade.

    I use Feathers; other blades may work differently, and other people may have different rules.

    Charles

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to cpcohen1945 For This Useful Post:

    remingtonmarlin (02-24-2011)

  14. #9
    Member remingtonmarlin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    37
    Thanked: 1

    Default

    Thank you all for sharing those great tips. I think I have the idea now.

    I am looking forward to improve my quality of life with the straight and DE shaves following those wonderful routines offered from members and the famous Wiki.

  15. #10
    Member slpknt10l03's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Rapid City, SD
    Posts
    29
    Thanked: 7

    Default

    A guy i work with claims to get 2-3 weeks of daily shaving out of most blades - I dont know how he does it - I used to never go past a week and his rows in a lot thicker than mine too.. its really all about personal preference.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •