I have come to my own personal observation that 80 to 90 % of blades are indistinguishable from each other. Maybe even a higher percentage.Personally, I stopped looking at blades once I found that I can shave with (what seems like) any blade.
I have come to my own personal observation that 80 to 90 % of blades are indistinguishable from each other. Maybe even a higher percentage.Personally, I stopped looking at blades once I found that I can shave with (what seems like) any blade.
I have mentioned this before in a previous post about the cost of blades. In the USA you members are lucky. Out here in Australia we pay a lot more for our razor blades. I work in a Supermarket and we sell a 10 pack of Indian Wilkinson Sword for $14.00. We sell a 12 pack of Jack the Barber blades for $16.00 which are rebranded Dorco blades, and we sell a 10 pack of King C Gillette blades for $14.00. We pay over a dollar per blade. I can usually get 7 shaves per blade, some blades seem done after 4 shaves and some feel like the can go on for more than seven. As long as what you are doing works for you that is fantastic. I personally find that most blades that I use get better on shaves three and four and that the first shave can be a little harsh.
I'm definitely in the compiling data for the personal fun of it.I think those who keep Excel spreadsheets or highly detailed records are actually just hooked on compiling data for the personal fun of it rather than the actual monetary savings. I think my own simpler data gathering is just a part of the hobby and I assume it will not take long and I will simply find what works best and stay with that, at least for the most part. It is always fun to try different blades, razors, soaps or techniques. That's the hobby.
Yes, this! Not me though. I normally bin a blade after three 3-pass shaves just because I like to switch it up. There are exceptions of course. One time I took a Personna 74 twice around a D20 die. That’s 40 3-pass shaves on one blade. And even then I only binned it because I was bored of that blade. You do you. That’s what I always say.I think those who keep Excel spreadsheets or highly detailed records are actually just hooked on compiling data for the personal fun of it rather than the actual monetary savings.
I like that idea. You're hired, my friend. Now I can take more vacations.@Eric_75 We should relocate your blade factory to Australia for our needy brothers and sisters. Put me in charge of marketing. We can undercut all the competition and then sew up the market.
Well said.My over-riding thought is that you should stick with whatever pattern or practice makes you happy!
Things may or more accurately will change over time. Your technique in all aspects will modify and adapt, and that which previously seemed satisfying to you will change, and an enhanced satisfaction will follow, buttressed by your own earned improvements.
Wet shaving is never static. Technique is always in flux, even if it may be some aspect which is so incrementally minor that it's almost unnoticable.
You may find as noted above, that blade life improves. That will only be experienced if you take a blade beyond say 2 shaves. Blade longevity is something you may wish to explore. I'm on a Nacet at the moment with 2 shaves on it. I expect it to serve me 7-8 excellent shaves. I shave every 48 hrs on average. I exclusively use vintage razors.
Some blades do actually improve with use in that some brands, especially the 'platinum' coated blades have quite a thick coating. It may take 2-3 shaves before the blade edge is fully exposed. They seem to sharpen. After that they can plateau or decline. Gillette Silver Blues and Personna Platinum Chromes spring to mind. To test the envelopes you should try several different blades and see how they perform after 3-4 shaves.
If a blade is still treating you right after 4-20 shaves, I see no reason to ditch it due to some arbitary figure of life expectation. I have a Personna IR that has 50 shaves on it. Still gives a buttery smooth and DFS. Some Gents regularly achieve 3 figures.
Have fun!