Thread: How to tell when to change the blade

Originally Posted by mcgyver74

I am using the Merkur blades currently.....

Now there's your problem

There's not too many diehard Merkur blade fans out there (at least not on this side of the Atlantic), and I'm certainly not one of them. They are a serviceable blade, nothing more. I typically find I can get 2 nice shaves from them and MAYBE a decent one after that, but they drop off quite dramatically after that. Even the initial shaves don't feel nice, even if they yield good results. Merkurs just don't feel sharp, that's all.

There are too many other great blades out there to waste your time with Merkurs. Once my pack is finished it's doubtful I will ever see them again - unless, of course, they come free with a new Merkur razor I might buy in the future. Hard to turn down free stuff.....

I also think it depends on the blade. I can get about five good shaves out of a Feather before I notice a difference. Maybe three from a Merkur. Derby blades, I want to throw it out before the shave is over. That's probably why they're so cheap.

Well, I have a sampler pack enroute from Amazon (35 blades total) so I can try several different and see what I like.

The bad thing is that there doesn't seem to be places locally where i can get these blades anymore

Sorry to toss another question into this thread, but it seems relevant to me. What about stropping your DE blade? I thought there were little DE strops too...no? Maybe at .16 per, it's a non-issue. Just curious.

I only use a DE once a week, and I know it's blatant consumerism and disgustingly wasteful, but I change the blade after two shaves... I wouldn't bother stropping them myself, otherwise I may as well JUST use a Straight....After all, a DE involves a waste product, whereas a Straight does not...

Originally Posted by regularjoe

Sorry to toss another question into this thread, but it seems relevant to me. What about stropping your DE blade? I thought there were little DE strops too...no? Maybe at .16 per, it's a non-issue. Just curious.

Not necessary to strop a DE razor blade. Just replace it.
I was given a DE razor blade "sharpener" from the 1960's - looks neat, but I really think it's just a gimmick.

At 7 to 10 cents each. I decided to 'go big or go home'! One shave and then into the wall.
Try to use a different brand each day.

I changed the blade and got a great shave this morning My Sampler pack should arrive today/tomorrow (Gotta love the amazon super saver shipping deals) and I can try different blades till I find one I like

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

NOT a dumb question.

The answer depends on your face, your whiskers,
your shave prep, the blade, the razor
holding the blade and your personal
preference.

If you have a safe place to keep it remove the
blade in question and shave with a new one.
Then put it back for a shave the next day.
Compare and contrast. Pay attention to
the top side when you put it back.

Some folk get more than a week some
a couple of days. I do not get five good shaves
from any brand. Some brands only two.

Some blades shave harshly on the first day and
then give a number of smooth shave to "dull". Some
shave smooth from day one to "dull". Some just
go downhill to dull and never are marvelous.

FWIW: This is one of the interesting and difficult topics for str8 razor shavers
that hone their own edges. With an open blade razor (straight/ str8)
the quality of the edge is in your hands and skill is an important
component. DE razors are much more consistent in a single
production lot which is why some folk buy +100 when they
find a good run.

Do not overlook the DE blades at the likes of Wallmart and Target.
Try a single package and if it is good empty the shelf the next day.
Do the math... shaves per blade , blades per package, price per......

To obtain the most shaves from a DE remember to rinse well
under hot water so it drys quickly. There are other tricks
but rinsing the razor clean is the important one.

I'd say this is the best response in this thread, and I agree with a lot of you that 3 shaves is enough from one blade. I used my 1930's New today with a vintage Gillette Thin Blade, and while BBS, my skin feels irritated...but I can't remember if it was my 3rd or 4th shave...

-Steve

It is hard to remember the number of shaves which is why I recommend you change blades on a certain day. If you shave 3 days a week like me then the math just works out, change it every monday. If you shave every day change it Monday and Thursday. Easy to remember.