Frequency of Blade Changes

[walklikeaduck]

Hello all, first off let me say that this site is awsome! Lots of good advice for a newbie like myself. I just started wet shaving a few weeks ago, my question is this: how many shaves can I get before I should change the blade? I use a merkur HD by the way. I've heard 2 or 3 shaves before changing the blade and I've also heard that you should change every shave, so I'm a little confused. Any recommendations? Thanks.

[Ltltony]

I change mine every Monday, which is usually six shaves.

[Alpha]

I think it depends on a number of factors, all unique to the individual. I can usually get good results from nearly any blade between 4-5 shaves. I usually do 2-3 passes during each shave too.

It's a learning process, so don't be afraid to experiment a little. I'm still new to this too.

Just be carefull, as I found out this morning that trying to squeeze out one more shave w/ a Derby left my chin in not so good condition.

[dax702]

After 2 shaves, I change the blade (derby) But even when the blade is brand new, I don't get a good shave. Been at it since may 2006. For me, wetshaving is the best of the evils of facial hair removal. The electric Panasonic was the best smoothest shave by leaps and bounds but when the beard began to grow back, it was irritation city. With wet shaving, it doesn't come even close to smooth, not even on my cheek where I'm able to go against the grain in some places.. But the irritation is less than the electric. So I choose the wet shaving because I prefer perpetual stubble as opposed to ingrown hairs and redness with the electric.

However, the problem still remains with both methods of having to wait 3 days before shaving again. If I take a blade to my face the day after I shave, it'll produce just as much irritation as the electric.

So as far as shaving goes, for me after almost two years of doing it, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't...

[walklikeaduck]

Yeah, I alternate with the Panasonic Linear wet/dry electric shaver. When I'm strapped for time, that's what I use, but I love wet shaving. There is a problem with ingrown hairs when I use the Panasonic. I've only used the merkur blades so far, I'm going to order the sample pack from west coast shaving and try out some new blades.

[Randy]

I find that I can only get two shaves out of the cheap blades available at the drug store (or grocery) - if I try for more my face feels like I've sanded it, hard :eek:. I have, however, ordered (presumably) better quality blades and hope that they will last a few shaves longer.

- R

[WBeckham]

I've been using the Israeli Personnas, Super+ Platinum (http://www.encure.com/storepage/blades.htm) blades for more than a year now and I find I can last about a week, changing the blade every Sunday. If I forget, Monday's terrible shave will remind me fast.

Also (and everybody probably already knows this - I just didn't see it in this thread) you should never wipe your razor with a towel. Instead you should just rinse and shake. There's another thread (or two) on technique, but to get and keep my lather hot, I'll throw a coffee cup into the microwave, which has a "beverage" setting. After using what I want for lather, I'll rinse the razor in the left over water, shaking the excess off before continuing.

[kwk285]

I find from the fourth shave on it is hit and miss. I change after three.

[Randy]

Also (and everybody probably already knows this - I just didn't see it in this thread) you should never wipe your razor with a towel. Instead you should just rinse and shake. There's another thread (or two) on technique, but to get and keep my lather hot, I'll throw a coffee cup into the microwave, which has a "beverage" setting. After using what I want for lather, I'll rinse the razor in the left over water, shaking the excess off before continuing.

I didn't know that, but it's what I've been doing all along so I guess I got lucky on that score!

- R

[Mr. Gillette]

To quote our President, George Bush:


"As long as it takes."

I've had blades that have lasted 8 shaves, and then suddenly take a turn for the worse. Some that were NEVER any good, not even after 1 shave. My average is probably 4.

So many things get in the way of it-- weather can even affect your beard-- the frequency of how you shave...do you sometimes "cheat" a little on weekends with 1-2 passes, and resume Monday with 4 passes? Your prep? Is it always the same soap/creme?

The important thing is knowing when a blade is fighting you or "starting" to...and knowing when to change over. This comes with experience-- and like I said, sometimes, (especially with Merkurs:001_rolle) the new one is worse than the old one!

Finally...my beard and skin are different than yours, so YMMV...but if you're going much past 5, I'd suggest you "blow" 20 cents on a new blade and see if there's a long-term difference.

[Huskysibe]

I change after 3 shaves. The 4th shave on makes my face get really hot and burned.

[ronw41]

I've had fantastic results using the Red Personnas (red package). I have been able to change the blade once a week with very good performance from the blade. As with so many recommendations YMMV (your mileage may vary) but this is what works for me.

In other posts I have read they suggest you change the blade whenever you start "feeling the blade grab or tug at your beard" or when you start getting nicks, which would be an indication of a dull blade, or bad technique.

This is something you just have to develop a "feel" for (no pun intended).

Trying different blades will help you find that blade that is "just right" for you as I have heard others in this forum have less than positive things to say about the Merkur blades.

Don't give up. This is a journey definitely worth continuing.

[Christoph]

Depends on the blade, the shave, and the person.

I use Derbys about 95% of the time. And I change the blade on the first day of each week which is on Sunday when I shave before Church.

That can mean anywhere from three to seven shaves. But I change the blade no matter what.

If its only 3 shaves, then there's never a problem. I do sometimes end up shaving every day. By the 5th or 6th shave I certainly notice that the blade is losing something.

My typical week these days means shaving 5 times. So one blade does just fine.

[BroJohn]

Hello all, first off let me say that this site is awsome! Lots of good advice for a newbie like myself. I just started wet shaving a few weeks ago, my question is this: how many shaves can I get before I should change the blade? I use a merkur HD by the way. I've heard 2 or 3 shaves before changing the blade and I've also heard that you should change every shave, so I'm a little confused. Any recommendations? Thanks.

WLAD --

Here's a 're-run' of a previous posting I made on blade changing. It was originally addressed to someone else, but the basic info holds true.


You should to learn when to change to a fresh razor blade. Some newer DE shavers will try to get too many shaves out of a blade. Bulk purchases of blades make them CHEAP, so feel free to swap out a blade that has become sub-par --even in the middle of a shave.

Guys here will get 2 to 6 or more shaves per blade, all depending on personal factors to them. The average is probably 3 ~ 4 shaves or so. Factors are the brand of blade itself, lubrication, sensitivity of their skin, toughness and density of their beard/whiskers, type of razor, personal technique, and so on.

Again, only you can determine when swapping in a fresh blade is needed. So, when to change blades? At some point, the blade will become 'dull' in that it will not reliably 'shave' the whiskers. 'Dull' is relative, because a 'dull' blade is still very, very sharp and can easily cut you. But it will only 'cut' --not 'shave' the whiskers. You will become aware that shaving takes somewhat more effort; that the blade is leaving some additional stubble/uncut whiskers behind after a pass; that there is a little additional 'tugging' or 'pulling' that was not present the day before.

This can lead to additional strokes and overshaving an area and leave you with razor burn and facial irritation (and a shave that isn't very close, and certainly not comfortable). So 'listen' to what your face and your whiskers are 'telling' you and change blades accordingly. The routine I've fallen into is 3 to 4 shaves per blade --that's two blades per week. I don't try to extend this. Ever. You should pay attention to the blade and always shave with a blade that is in its' prime.

HTH.

-- John Gehman

[ratcheer]

I change my blade every Saturday, whether it needs it or not. :wink: This means four to six shaves per blade.

Tim