Thread: How many shaves on a blade?

Originally Posted by Phrank

That's interesting...what do you mean the edges are numbered?

If you look at the edges of an Astra double edge blade, in a corner of each side you will see the number 1 on one edge and 2 on the other with 3 and 4 on the other side. You just have to remember which number you are on.

Interesting that most of you are only getting a couple of shaves out of your blades. For me I have found that the first shave can be a bit irritating the second is better the third being the most confortable ( the blade feels smoother more like a storped str8) the fourth is ok and the fifth is the end of the blade with some tugging and some burn. Wish I had a loupe with me so I could see what the edge is doing.

I found the Gillette 7 O'Clock (yellows) and Vidyut Super Platinum give me the most consistently comfortable shaves. I can get 4 (2-pass) shaves out of each using an Edwin Jagger DE89. Shave #5 starts to tug and #6 is pure misery. I've never pushed them further.

Gentlemen, I use Super Iridium, PermaSharp Super, Gillette "yellow," Personna "red" and Derby. I dislike Feather. Since I shave with the DE occasionally, one shave per blade does it for me.
By the way, the numbers on the double edge blade are the manufacturer's production markings. It does not matter what numbered side of the blade you use. Either way, you use the same edge.

So far I've used Wilkinson Sword German blades, Feather and Merkur. I get zero decent shaves from the Merkur. It just doesn't seem as sharp to me. My most comfortable and closest shaves are with the Wilkinson Sword, and I get about + some touch ups after my SR shaves. About the same (3 fulls + a few touch ups) with the Feather, although the first shave with it doesn't feel as comfortable as the Wilkinson does.

On my DE with cheap Persona blades I get easily 6-8 shaves out of a blade, could probably get more but they are so cheap (under $2 for ten) that I have not tried for more.
Happy New Year, Rob

I do 5-7 days with my dorco 301 and 7-10 days with feathers...

I have a Parker with Shark blades. Personally, I just toss it after 1 shave (usually 3 passes, sometimes 2). I can feel them start to tug by the end, though I could just be lazy and don't want to clean the blades properly after I use them...

On my DE i get 3 shaves using astra SP. With my vanta ra 112 I get 3 shaves per half blade .

I recently switched to Shark blades and am very fond of them!

Each blade gets changed after 4-5 shaves. Oddly, the second shave with a blade tends to go better than the first - although it's not a huge difference.