Blade life

[Nahkyla]

Hello everyone...

Still a newbie. I have been wetshaving for a few months now and the advice I got when I first started is 2 shaves per blade max. Chuck it start fresh so that during the technique learning curve of wet shaving you using the best tools.

I read that others can get anywhere between 1 - 8 shaves. I'd like to get more shaves but I can figure out how to tell if blade is dull.

New blades (various brands) all skip, nick and irritate my skin when I rush, change soaps/creams etc. Is there another way to tell that doesn't factor the newbie variables like lather and razor technique?

Just looking for a consistent test to determine how many shaves I can extract from each brand of blade I own. ( derby, feather, dorco, astra platinum, sharks)

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Nahkyla:
This link should help you out.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=187399

Christopher

[Luc]

You shouldn't be rushing while shaving. You are likely to end up with irritation and razor burn. Work on your lather and technique and then you will be able to have more consistent results. 2 shaves is a bit short. I used to get 3 shaves using a DE blade on average. The number of shaves per blade needs to take in consideration the following variables:

• Your face
• Your Technique
• The Razor
• The blade itself
• Your Lather

[Codfish]

This chart, referred to in the B&B Wiki, but from an external source, is an attempt to rate many razor blades.

It has a column for number of shaves per blade, and relative cost per shave, as well as relative sharpness.

Who created it, when, and how accurate it is I cannot vouch for. I don't know how scientific it is. I do recognize the ratings in Column C as coming from a source I consider fairly objective.

Codfish

[Eric V]

I currently get an easy week from my Feathers. No doubt this has to do with much better prep than I've used in many past years. Softer whiskers = longer blade life. I change blades one day a week right now.

[Hawkeyeted]

This chart, referred to in the B&B Wiki, but from an external source, is an attempt to rate many razor blades.

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I have noticed something odd with the chart.

I'm a Dorco fan and have much experience with them. Did anyone else notice that the Dorco 301's are rated higher than the 300's? According to the customer rep from Dorco Korea, the only difference between the two is the packaging. The 301's come in a plastic dispenser (like Feathers) and the 300's are just in a cardboard box (like Personna Reds).

[BroJohn]

Nahkyla --

Here's a previous posting I made on the blade changing topic.

Click Here!

HTH.

-- John Gehman

[StillShaving]

I think the only way to really tell is to push them past the breaking point. Meaning follow proper technique of no pressure when shaving, nice wet lather which sits on your face for at least 2 minutes before shaving, etc. Then try to shave as many times as you can with the same blade and it will become self evident when you need to change. If you keep the blade clean and dry between shaves it should go for a while, but pushing it beyond is the best way to get a feel for when it is time to change.

[meats]

I know this sounds stupid but you'll know when a blade is done once you get some experience. in the beginning you just dont have the feel to know when things are different. at the start i was switching blades every 3-4 shaves. now i just rely on feel and i would say i normally get 4-5 shaves with a HQ blade.