Newbie a few shaves in

[TPeroda85]

Well, Ive bee DE Shaving for a few weeks now, alternating between a daily shave and every second day ... so far I've found 24-36 hours to be the sweet spot between shaves. Also ... still working on the "shave" it looks like N-S pass, under ear to chin pass and a under ear to nose (horizontal) pass while adding S-N on the chin to be the sweet spot. I've been using Derby's exclusively for a bout 3 weeks and changing to a new blade every week. Is 7 shaves on a light stubble face about right for blade life? Im just thinking, getting used to a blade and then trying a different one would be better for establishing differences than switching each week. Thoughts?

[lvsc10]

First of all welcome to B & B! Secondly, congratulation on you D/E shaving progress so far. As for how long a single blade will last, it will vary based on a number of factors. However, you always want to be shaving with a sharp blade. So when you feel the blade is pulling and not cutting cleanly, it's time to replace your blade. I would say that you have a good idea how Derby's shave with your razor. I would choose another blade and give it a good test drive to see how it performs. Just remember that TECHNIQUE IS KING. By the way, what type of razor are you using?

[Luc]

That's a YMMV thing. A derby good for 7 days is possible. It all depends on the beard, how many passes you do, your technique, etc.

If the blade pulls a little, time to change it. My average is 3 shaves/blade. Sometimes 5, I think I got 7 out of an Astra once.

The thrick to make this work is to pratice, sounds like you're already on the right track!

[mdunn]

you'll know when its time to change the blade - it will tug and be uncomfortable to use

[JPM]

Welcome to the group. I chuck them after 3 shaves since they are pretty inexpensive.

[jadam318]

Sounds like things are cruising right along for you. Congratulations on that. As for blade use, I don't usually even count shaves. I just use a blade until it starts to feel dull (tugging at the hair instead of slicing it). With a fairly soft beard I'd say 7 shaves is well within good reason.


That's a YMMV thing. A derby good for 7 days is possible. It all depends on the beard, how many passes you do, your technique, etc.

If the blade pulls a little, time to change it. My average is 3 shaves/blade. Sometimes 5, I think I got 7 out of an Astra once.

The thrick to make this work is to pratice, sounds like you're already on the right track!

I've found Astras to last longer than usual, too. This is a totally new discovery for me. I grabbed my Old Type the other day thinking I had left a Feather in it. I was surprised the Feather had lasted as long as it did. Even thought it didn't quite have the scary sharpness I'm used to it still cut quite well. That shave it finally started to tug a little, so I changed it out. Turns out I'd had an Astra in there. I was impressed.

[TPeroda85]

Thanks for the input guys. Im shaving with a Merkur HD, yah the shaving is going quite well. Still the odd nick and cut. No issues with ingrowns yet, which is nice.

My only issue is my chin ... under my chin is L-R grain ... so I go wtg xtg xtg ... im just worried about atg ...

[Mink]

Don't be afraid to try doing things a LITTLE differently. XTG can be perpendicular to the growth, or almost WTG to almost ATG. If you try ATG, you will know quickly whether to use it again. I go ATG on difficult areas. One ATG pass over a previously shaved area that removes the whiskers may be better than 3 passes (WTG, XTG, & XTG). Going over the same area, again and again, because you want to avoid ATG, and trying to get a BBS, often leads to razor burn and other troubles. In the end, I expect that you will need to try several strategies until you get one you're comfortable with.

[TPeroda85]

Yah thats great advice! Actually just this morning I tried a WTG pass with a horizontal pass combined with blade buffing ... that really smoothed out the cheek and chin line with just two passes! Nows its back to figuring out the chin ...