One of my blades is conservatively 182 years old. I only say that as the manufacturing company closed in 1842, but the razor could be (is likely) older.
I had tried a dozen and a half blades when I switched from carts to DE. Our attitude or instincts are for reuse coming from campaigning carts. Twelve shaves on a Voskhod was the deepest I went with any blade. In my case I found a dulling blade to lose efficiency or sharpness. There isn’t any cutting instrument out there that will get sharper with use whether it is a surgeon’s scalpel or a lumberjack’s axe. Each use will deform and wear the apex of the edge dulling the apex to an obtuse profile. This wear will now need more force or pressure to achieve the same cut. Many shavers prefer an obtuse apex achieving a higher comfort or satisfaction in campaigning a blade in their shaves. They must adjust their technique and pressure used to achieve their desired shave results. An excellent example is your hunt on a dulling tomato slicing knife where you adjust to a better purchase or angle to get the cut you desire.
Right now I am trying and comparing different blades but, I guess I should see how long I can make a blade last just for the interest of it. Instead of using a ten cent blade ten times a guy could use it 20 times for a half cent per shave! Eventually, a guy can pay off that $250 razor.
I don't notice any difference between my blades other than longevity with the exception of an occasional bad blade (twice over four+ years with my Derby Extras). I also use Astra SP, Dorco Stainless and Dorco Prime blades. Dorcos last the longest on average. My Derby's are the most variable ranging from the two bad blades to my longest lasting blade ever where it went for over 20 shaves. I've never run into a bad Astra or Dorco blade.
Thanks for the great reply. I had heard from other sources about Feathers being so thin and sharp that they microchip. Makes sense and they do give me great shaves but need to be replaced after about three or four shaves. I hear Astras are the go to blade for many as they are a stable blade when it comes to delivering consistency for the price.
Regarding Astra blades they are all St. Petersburg Russia production purchased 3-4 years ago. I've seen posts regarding current production coming out of other countries like India so you will need to look for reviews of the latest versions. Right now my Dorcos are the best blade and value in my rotation.
MIT study around two years ago determined that all razor blades used for shaving wear via micochipping. You can google it and see the findings.
I find this also quite interesting since the shave soap is usually quite a bit more expensive than the blade per shave. A moderately expensive shave soap at $15 that lasts let's say 90 shaves costs 16.7 cent per shave. Just saying...I have noticed several B&B members proclaim that blades are so inexpensive that they care nothing about the cost. Coincidentally, it is often those same members who have performed extensive cost per shave per blade calculations, sometimes with Excel spreadsheets containing data diligently recorded over years. It makes me wonder what they would do if they actually did care about the cost of blades
Yep, I'm with you. I typically go at least 3-4 (depending on the blade), but lately I've been tossing blades after the second use because I'm testing different blades in a new razor. Having just read through this entire thread, I am now feeling very much like the Ugly American for my indulgence given the dire straits of our brothers in Australia.
