Printable View
Quick dumb question.
How can I tell when it's time to change the blade on my DE and approx how often do you find that it needs to be changed.
This morning when I shaved, I found I got some irritation on my face even though it didn't feel like the blade was "grabbing" the blade has been in there just shy of a week so I wonder if it's time for a new one......
Thanks in advance!
Probably. I think I only averaged 3 shaves when I used a DE.
A normal blade is good for 4-6 shaves...some fewer. Added drag, irritation, or requiring more effort to get the same level of shave are all different indicators that it's time to change. Each blade (and face) can be different. When in doubt, change it...the are only $0.16 a piece, after all ;)
I just change the blade every 5 shaves, regardless.
It never get's to the point where it pulls...for 0.16c/per I don't need to stretch it out to where I get a poor shave.
Ok thanks everyone. New blade goes in for tomorrows shave :)
Even though different blades feel different and shave differently the one constant I have found is change the blade every 3-4 shaves depending on if I'm shaving 1 or 2 days growth.
Gentlemen,
I change blades every three shaves, because I believe the blade starts to degrade after that number. Whether Feather blades or anything below their status, three shaves and a new blade.
The hard and fast number of shaves works well for a lot of people, but I think the OP is looking for indicators.
With Astra SP I typically get 4-6 great shaves...with Feather, 2 (and absolutely no more). I will say there is normally a warning shave for me...one that pulls a little more than usual or requires a little more effort...and if I ever go one more past that, I will regret it.
Hello, ryanjewell,Quote:
Originally Posted by ryanjewell
I am well aware of OP's question, but after spending years of evaluating the number of shaves each blade lasted, as well as the condition of the beard and the product that influenced the blade's longevity, I determined three shaves and out was a good average.
Stay well.
Actually I was hoping for either :) , my problem this morning is that I didn't feel any tugging, or any more effort required, it just gave me burn :( (the Alum block really stung this morning)
I am using the Merkur blades currently, Need to find myself a sampler pack to see which ones I like :)
Hello, mcgyver74,
In my experience, the Merkur blade, although it has some fans, is kept at a distance by many shavers. I gave up on them a long time ago. Yes, a sampler pack will be your best bet to determine what works for you.
:) I now need to find a local place that has sampler packs :) all the AOS place has is merkur
amazon has a bunch of sample packs for cheap. pretty nice ones too. i shave 3 days a week and been changing my blade every 2 weeks or about 6 shaves. i do 2 pass straight shave and the atg with the de so it is only after 6 actual passes that i change blades and these are the easiest passes since the most of the hair came off with the straight. I suspect I would change it every week if I used the DE for more passes.Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgyver74
amazon actually has lots of great shave gear and you can group things to get free shipping.
Yeah it looks like I will have to go the nets for samplers :( Finding DE blades in stores anymore is difficult to say the least :(
No more than 4 shaves for me.
A dull blade is the one that always nicks me. I've settled on 3 days and thats it, see no need to push it at less that $ .10 per blade.
SRD has a sampler pack the last time I looked and it was reasonably priced. Another thought, if there is a Sally's Beauty Supply store near you, they sell Personna blades, not top shelf but also not the bottom of the barrel of DE blades.Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgyver74
NOT a dumb question.Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgyver74
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.
Sounds like you should use an Alum block each morning.Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgyver74
When you get that burn pull the blade after checking
that it is not your last.
I tossed a new blade in today, hopefully tomorrow is better :)
Now there's your problem ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgyver74
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..... :D
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...
Not necessary to strop a DE razor blade. Just replace it.Quote:
Originally Posted by regularjoe
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
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...Quote:
Originally Posted by niftyshaving
-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.
At one time honing and stropping made sense (true Blue Blade days).Quote:
Originally Posted by regularjoe
Today DE blades as well as almost all other factory blades have
a thin coating of PTFE (Teflon) fused on the surface. This coating
is the one clear advantage that DE blades have as it very much lowers
the cutting pressure for a lot of shavers. However the application
of PTFE requires heat. The amount of heat is sufficient to cause
a loss of hardness. The timing and temperature control for this are
critical. Additional coating includes chrome and platinum that
minimize corrosion and help with other qualities of the edge.
If you were to strop or hone a DE blade the steel under these coatings
could be substandard and difficult to hone and strop. Having said this the availability of
sub-micron abrasives could reopen the door and put the technology
back in the hands of individuals. However the costs may not justify
the activity.
The same submicron abrasive technology applies to the old
style straight razors. This may be part of the reason for the
quality of shaves folk get from a professionally honed str8..
As most have already said, it's impossible to come up with a specific number of days a blade will last as everybody's face, beard, and prep is different. I like the person who said when it starts to pull a bit it would be dangerous to stretch it another day, and I think most would say to change your blade at least once a week.
The trick is to change it "before" it starts to degrade, and this is what makes a straight so nice. It may never be as sharp as a new DE blade, but if stropped properly it will give a very good shave for a long time.