New to B&B - blade question

[yvesklein]

Hi all

Please be patient with me - Im new and just discovered the art of shave....:eek:

Any guidelines on how long a blade will last? How often do you replace? Dumb question? :confused:I guess it relates to how hairy/thick youre beard is or when the hairs start feeling like theyre getting pulled out of your face not cut - I'm Italianate so I get 5 o'clock shadow at 9 in the morning if you get my drift...BTW , just purchased a Merkur 34. Can't wait to chuck that crappy Weishi cheapo thing in the bin !! Comes loose...rubbish...China...not so good at making razors...

[theologist]

It does depend on beard density/texture and how many passes you do, of course; but the quality of the blade makes a difference too. I can get a week out of Gillette Platinum ("Swedes") or Feathers and nearly as much from Wilkinson Sword. Some cheaper blades (eg Derby) work just as well, but not for as long. I get three good shaves out of a Derby or Personna Red. Some just don't suit me at all - like Merkurs... but a lot of guys seem to have trouble with them!

[flipperz]

Tough question! depends upon yourself, the razor and the blade. I generally shave one edge of the blade for two or three days and rotate to the other side for two or three days before tossing it.

[thirdeye]

Welcome to B&B. As for blade life, I generally get 3 to 4 shaves on a blade. This is about the average across the board.

Enjoy the shave!!!

[SRock]

Welcome to B&B. I concur with a general 3-4 use average.

[Synack]

Welcome!

+1 on the 3 to 4 shaves.

[Rufust445]

Tomorrow I will be trying a second shave with the Treet Blue Special, a carbon steel blade that is intended for one use only. Some people claim to get 3, even 4 shaves from one.

The coated version of the Blue Special, the Treet Classic, gives me 5 shaves in a week. I space my shaves in a week for some face rest time, and five shaves on one blade in 7 days works for me.

YMMV

[yvesklein]

Thanks for all those great comments; I really like the philosophy 'newer isnt necessarily better' esp. in shaving circles. My Dad has an ancient DE but not sure what it is. Im getting him back on board after 30+ years of using disposables...:eek:
Awaiting the delivery of my Merkur 34. Have been dredging abut thru the forums and will get some Derby extras - 100 pak. I live in Australia; does anyone know of any Aus. based retailers that stock Derbys rather than having to mail / internet order?

[theologist]

Talk to Nathan at mensbiz.com.au

[grumpy old codger]

I like a close shave. If necessary, I'll do 4 passes to be satisfied. I won't push any blade past three shaves. Some, like Family Dollar, I'll dump after one shave, Feather's maybe 4, but three is about max for them all.

[TFrankMac2140]

Welcome to B&B! I would agree with the 3-4 shaves time frame. Enjoy!

[DirtyDave]

Depends on your beard, I think. I have a full beard and must shave everyday, but my stubble is not particularly heavy, course or curly. These are some factors that seem to affect the durability of blades, judging by the comments I have read here on B&B.

I can go seven days and get a good shave each day. The closeness is less on days six and seven, but still more than acceptable for me. Having said that, I usually go to a maximum of five days. I can afford $.15 per blade.