# of uses for Blades

[Gripper]

Folks -- I'm just wondering how many shaves you are getting out of your blades before needing to replace the blade.

For me, I'm using the Merkur blades (currently) and getting about 3-4 shaves before I start getting that "pulling" or "tugging" feeling on my wiskars.

Just wondering how others are holding up. I may also change to another blade after some recommendations if I discover that I'm not getting enough shaves.

Cheers!

[ateace]

Up until a few days ago, I always changed blades after three shaves, but that may change.

I'm using my first Swede now and just completed the fifth shave this morning with no discomfort and no complaints.

[rabidpotatochip]

Exactly as many shaves as the blade can provide. :wink:

You'll get numbers anywhere between 1 and n when you ask that question. If the blade's not comfortable anymore just switch it out.

[philburt]

There is also the option of stropping your blades after a couple shaves. I've been "hand stropping" my single edge Gem Persona blades since I take them out of the razor to dry after each shave anyway. I've been able to get 5 good days out of a blade this way. YMMV.

[Teiste]

Hand stropping or a vintage blade sharpener like Kriss Kross or Twinplex will help you to get a couple extra shaves...I did try handstropping for 15 days with a Gillette Swede but I got bored of the same blade(even when I was getting BBS shaves all the time)I love to rotate so now Im not going further than 4 or 5 shaves per blade/razor.

[just1nsturm]

Number of shaves per blade is going to vary a lot depending on factors such as hair coarseness and aggressiveness of razor, as well as some other things. I usually pull 3 shaves but sometimes I'll stretch it to 5. It's still comfortable, but I figure the blades are so cheap, I don't mind junking them after 3 shaves. If you are interested in trying a new blade, I recommend giving Derbys a try.

[Stubblefield]

You'll get numbers anywhere between 1 and n when you ask that question.That is corrrect. I get n shaves per blade, consistently. (where n = 2)

[rabidpotatochip]

That is corrrect. I get n shaves per blade, consistently. :biggrin:

I should have seen that coming... :lol:

Edit: Arrrgh... now I have to edit my post because you edited yours... I'm still keeping the old version in my quote though. :tongue:

[Bertilak]

Aww. I thought this was going to be about other things you could do with razor blades beside shaving. I was hoping for ideas more creative than scraping paint off of windows.

Maybe a more dangerous game of pick-up-sticks?

Making movies like Un Chien Andalou? (eeww! :crying:)

Filling that mysterious slot in my cabinet over the bathroom sink?

[rabidpotatochip]

Aww. I thought this was going to be about other things you could do with razor blades beside shaving. I was hoping for ideas more creative than scraping paint off of windows.

Maybe a more dangerous game of pick-up-sticks?

Making movies like Un Chien Andalou? (eeww! :crying:)

Filling that mysterious slot in my cabinet over the bathroom sink?

Scraping thermal paste off a CPU... but you want to wear gloves. I never knew thumbs bled so much. :lol:

[in the know]

Gillette Silver Blue - at least 12 shaves.

EVERY other blade - at least 5 shaves.

[Synack]

Usually three shaves for myself. I'm sure I could get a couple extra but I like experimenting with different blade and razor combinations.

[Bertilak]

Scraping thermal paste off a CPU... but you want to wear gloves. I never knew thumbs bled so much. :lol:

Hey! Another advantage of SE shaving.

[rabidpotatochip]

Hey! Another advantage of SE shaving.

Yeah actually, that would have been perfect for the job. The blade slipped in my hand and into my finger the other side went. Shame I didn't have you around before it happened. :biggrin:

[SavantStrike]

Aww. I thought this was going to be about other things you could do with razor blades beside shaving. I was hoping for ideas more creative than scraping paint off of windows.

Maybe a more dangerous game of pick-up-sticks?

Making movies like Un Chien Andalou? (eeww! :crying:)

Filling that mysterious slot in my cabinet over the bathroom sink?

I'd hate to be the work crew that renovates that bathroom... blades all through the wall :lol:.

I too was wondering if anyone had come up with uses for old blades besides scraping. Oh wait I've got one!

If you're careful enough, they should work as an x acto substitute. Although the handle-less nature combined with their width would make things interesting...

[shaved_*****]

I like to use one blade per pass... not because I need to but because I just have SO many blades :O

[eagletower]

been meaning to ask this same question myself , i usually change after 3-4 shaves. Using Wilkinson swords.

[Mer]

I'll get 5 days from a Derby and then 1 more on the weekend if I have to shave. Never gets too bad at the end either.

[BalthasarR]

Blades that work for me.

Derbys - 4 smooth shaves
Red Personnas - 4 smooth shaves
Feathers - 2 smooth shaves

[al7jj]

Brand Days
Merkur 7
Gilette black 2
Gilette blue 5
Gilette Swede 4
Wilkinson 3
Feather 4
Israeli 2
Kroger 0

YMMV of course

[Luc]

Few factors are involved - Blade itself, technique, razor.

Rule of thumb - 3-5 shaves per blade (average) but you won't get 3-5 with every blades. With some blades I do 2 shaves and with the next blade I will do 5. Some blades are good for 5-7 shaves.

If I use a Slant, 2 shaves max, non-dependant on the blade (I have no idea why).

At the moment, I'm around 3-5 shaves per blades but I'm going through a bunch of different blades (not just Astra and Feather).

[DV8_JERM]

I get about 2 or 3 shaves with derby or red perssonas.But I love the feel of a new razor so 3 is the max.A new razor is like a new pair of sox ,lifes simple pleasures.

[New2DEShaving_Montreal]

I did that just the other day. Be careful though it can leave scratches or even cut something delicate. You want to use the side as opposed to the blade edge. I have to say I'm not a big fan of thermal paste.


Scraping thermal paste off a CPU... but you want to wear gloves. I never knew thumbs bled so much. :lol:

[1OldGI]

12-15 shaves with hand stropping (SE) blades prior to each shave. The Gem blades seem to be a bit better quality than the CVS brand (duh). But I've really had very few problems using these blades for this long if they are hand stropped.

My one and only DE is now the DDR (Designated Dome Razor) and has not been used on my face since I begin shaving my head with it a week or so ago. Not sure how tough the dome will be on blades but DE blades don't seem to hand strop as well as SE blades (maybe because of a basic lack of rigidity. I only shave the dome three times a week so I'll just have to figure it out as I go along.

[rainman]

4 shaves a blade.

[BEAR DEN]

Most I've gotten was 4 shaves...with a Merkur!