Blade longevity

[jdaulton]

I have been using a Mekur for couple of years and with the Merkur blades I would get 4 -5 shaves per blade. I have a tough beard and recently purchased a 38C and really like it but have to change blades after 2-3 shaves.
I am new to the board and this has probably been discussed before so apologize but curious if this is normal wear or just peculiar to me.

[shadowjim]

If you have a tough beard im suprised you were even able to get 1 shave from the merkurs. They were the first blade i used as they came with the razor and left me very dissapointed. I then got a blade sampler and realized how bad the merkur blades were (for me). I would say get yourself one and then compare blades until you settle on a better one as most guys on here will agree merkur blades are rather poor.

[Henrique]

:eek: Using Merkur blades for years??

Not only they're no good, they are expensive.

You're in for a treat!:wink:

[amateriat]

I've found Merkurs to be good for at least 3-4 shaves each.

The problem, of late for me, at least, is consistency: many blades are fine from the get-go, but more than a few were stinkers from the fist shave onward. And consistency of technique was not the problem (well, near as I can tell...this, of course, is a tricky business). I have not had this problem with either the "no-name" IPs, nor with Dorco ST-300s, which have become my standard blade.

Of course, being consistent in shave prep is paramount to properly evaluating blade quality and longevity for yourself. Otherwise, it doesn't matter what blade I prefer or that someone else here prefers: between this and the fact that your face is likely different from mine, I certainly can't tell you that my favorite blade is going to work for you, given the variables in play.


- Barrett

[just1nsturm]

Personally, my standard blades are derbys and I found them to work much better than the Merkurs, for my face. Plus they are cheap enough where I don't mind throwing one out well before the blade loses it's sharpness.

A lot of websites have blade sampler packages. Try the ones from westcoastshaving.com

[Luc]

Personally, my standard blades are derbys and I found them to work much better than the Merkurs, for my face. Plus they are cheap enough where I don't mind throwing one out well before the blade loses it's sharpness.

A lot of websites have blade sampler packages. Try the ones from westcoastshaving.com

+1

Blade sampler would be a very good start. I do not dislike Merkur blades but I also do not love them...

[al7jj]

The Merkurs are the only blades I can use for more than 3-4 days, so YMMV :-)

[theologist]

Derby blades are nice.

However, Gillette 7 O'clock Yellows are becoming my new go-to.

The Gillette Platinums (= "Swedes") are also excellent if you can find them.

With respect to those who like them, I have found Merkur blades very poor - not the worst, certainly; but dreadful for the price.

I can get a full week out of a Yellow; probably 10 days from a Swede.

[Stubblefield]

I have been using a Mekur for couple of years and with the Merkur blades I would get 4 -5 shaves per blade. I have a tough beard and recently purchased a 38C and really like it but have to change blades after 2-3 shaves.
I am new to the board and this has probably been discussed before so apologize but curious if this is normal wear or just peculiar to me.I get 2-3 shaves per blade with my 38C, does not seem to matter which blade I use.

I like the following blades in the 38:

RP Personnas
Astra Platinums
Gillette Yellows
Feathers

[adamant]

I got for about 3 shaves from my derbys. But I also do a pretty extensive 5 pass (2x WTG, 2x XTG, ATG) though most on a mild setting, and not all of those are over my whole face.