Remembering to change the blade

[mrterrier]

I keep forgetting when I put a new blade in my razor- regrettably sometimes so now when in doubt I change the blade

Get 2 shaves from a blade; the third is nasty

Any suggestions on how to remember when a new blade is due?

[IridiumMourner]

This is what I do:
1. After a blade's first use, I put my razor laying down on it's comb with the head facing left.
2. After the 2nd shave, I put the razor down facing right
3. After the 3rd shave, I put the razor standing up. Then I know it needs to be changed prior to the next shave.

[BroJohn]

I keep forgetting when I put a new blade in my razor- regrettably sometimes so now when in doubt I change the blade

Get 2 shaves from a blade; the third is nasty

Any suggestions on how to remember when a new blade is due?

If you're only doing two shaves per blade, tracking it is really easy. If there's a blade in the razor, shave with it, then remove the blade. If there's no blade in the razor, load it up, then leave the blade in the razor at the end of the shave.

-- John Gehman

[BrianL]

Place your razor next to a quarter and heads up means it is time to change your blade. Welcome to the forum by the way.

[maxman]

I just go by the feel of the blade.
There is no hard and fast rule on when to change it.
If you finish a shave and feel that it's time for the blade to go, then change it.

[Greyfox]

Seems to me that you have a pretty good system going. 2 good shaves and then a nasty one. Nasty shave=change the blade. It will work everytime.

[DrJones]

Since I shave with different blades in my rotation and some of those blades provide me with different number of shaves, what I did is to borrow some tiny hair rubber bands from my daughters. Then when I load up a fresh blade in the razor, I put five of those rubber bands in the razor's handle. Every time I finish a shave, I remove one rubber band from the handle, so I know exactly how many shaves I've got from the blade. Hope this helps.

[danparker77]

I also go by feel now also. But starting out I used dice.

[cnnc97]

I keep a tracking sheet in Excel. I'm kind of a stat geek.

[maxman]

I keep a tracking sheet in Excel. I'm kind of a stat geek.

Metrics! KPI's! how else can you tell what's really going on?
I'd be curious to see how different blades measure up.

[probesport]

I do it via days. Every Monday & Wednesday morning its a brand new blade. Mon-Thu I do 3 pass shaves, Friday its a 1 or 2 pass and I generally don't shave on the weekends.

[Zarba]

I keep forgetting when I put a new blade in my razor- regrettably sometimes so now when in doubt I change the blade

Get 2 shaves from a blade; the third is nasty

Any suggestions on how to remember when a new blade is due?

I change every Saturday. I find I can get 6-7 shave out of a blade (Derbys and Astra SP's).

[dfennewald]

Odds or Evens (days). Or if you change every 3 days, go with 3s (3rd, 6, 9...) -- 31st might suck a little.

[man00ver]

i change every saturday. I find i can get 6-7 shave out of a blade (derbys and astra sp's).

+1

[stobor]

If you're only doing two shaves per blade, tracking it is really easy. If there's a blade in the razor, shave with it, then remove the blade. If there's no blade in the razor, load it up, then leave the blade in the razor at the end of the shave.

-- John Gehman

What he said!

[mikey]

If it is Monday, I change the blade.

Thanks,
Mike

[ginhud]

I keep a tracking sheet in Excel. I'm kind of a stat geek.

me too! this is kinda neat and I rate my shaves 1 to 4, 1 being least enjoyable. also list brush and cream or soap, and, if adjustable, the setting. it's fun to look back and see the stats. doesn't take long either. yes, every so often i'll forget a day and play catch up next day. I usually do 4 shaves per blade.

[Walter Sobchak]

For the first year or so after I switched to DE blades, I tracked every shave with pencil and paper. I wanted to see how different blades shaved and how long they would last before becoming uncomfortable. Now I know what blades will give me three good ones and what blades are generally toasted after two. I NEVER get 4+ quality shaves out of any blade like some people.

Anyway, long story shortened a bit: After all my data compiling, I learned a few things about what blades I liked, but mostly I learned what it felt like to shave on an a spent blade. Now, I just shave until I feel that telltale tugging then I swap the blade out.

[Captain Pete]

I use the shave by feel trick, too. Shave until I can start to feel the blade drag a little, then change it. This usually happens about halfway through the 3d or 4th shave, depending on the blade.

[bullmoose]

I change my blades directly after the second shave is finished. Otherwise I just forget it and can't remember.