How days does a blade last

**Plantangent** · 04-08-2006, 02:29 PM

I shave using Feather blades, I shave my face as well as my head every morning, recently with a Merkur slant bar (I love the slant bar!), how many days should I get out of a blade? I've been pushing six but I am wondering how often other people change there blades? Thanks Ian

**Kyle** · 04-08-2006, 02:34 PM

Each brand performs differently for me, and from what I can tell everyone's results are different (sometimes dramatically). My personal results are:

Feather - 4 to 5 shaves
Merkur - 4 to 6 shaves
Derby - 7+ (I've never gone over 7 but certainly could)
Mysteriously Nameless Pharmacy Brand - 3 to 4 shaves

**Indy** · 04-08-2006, 02:56 PM

I've been changing my Israeli's once a week, but I think they'd go longer if I wanted to.

Cheers,
Indy

**guenron** · 04-08-2006, 03:08 PM

This is truly a complex question.. I'll try to give a simple answer and that is once a week unless needed sooner. The variables of blade (manufacturer), razor (design and adjustability), time of year (I find my beard heavier at different times), and a myriad of other variables complicate the answer. I like the simplicity of changing my blade every Saturday or Sunday and avoiding the end-of-blade-life bad shave.

**roughrider** · 04-08-2006, 04:20 PM

The type of beard a person has can impact the life of a blade.

**KUJO** · 04-08-2006, 05:40 PM

So far I've adopted the simple life by changing blades every Saturday AM, in anticipation of having a "broken in blade" by Monday AM for work.

I also go with the "first bad tug" concept of trashing a blade the first 2 times it tugs too hard on a shave. They're just too inexpensive to dick around with and the cost of messing up your face is not worth it.

Bottom line: once a week or the first sign that the blade has outlived its usefulness.

**Kevin** · 04-08-2006, 09:08 PM

I follow th same routine as KUJO except I change my blade on Sunday morning after my shave. I like to start the new week with a nice sharp blade.

Kevin

**htownmmm** · 04-08-2006, 10:15 PM

I have learned that once a week is optimal-if i forget, the 'tug' on my face reminds me.

marty

**Rik** · 04-09-2006, 10:07 AM

My beard requires changing the blade twice a week with all manufacturers.

**Kyle** · 04-09-2006, 10:12 AM

I meant to post this earlier, but I've actually noticed a fairly dramatic difference in the same blade when used in different razors. While the Derby seem immortal when used in my HD, I find it to dull significantly after 3-4 uses in my slant.

**Rik** · 04-09-2006, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Kyle

I meant to post this earlier, but I've actually noticed a fairly dramatic difference in the same blade when used in different razors. While the Derby seem immortal when used in my HD, I find it to dull significantly after 3-4 uses in my slant.

Good point Kyle. I use a Vision and Slant Bar exclusively.

**rschul2** · 04-09-2006, 06:34 PM

I always seem to get about a week's worth of shaves from any type of blade. That said, I only use Feathers, Merkurs, or Euro Gillettes, and one week's worth of shaves is around 4-5 for me.

**rtaylor61** · 04-09-2006, 07:06 PM

DE blades are really no different than a straight razor. Once the blade begins to pull or provide a shave that is uncomfortalbe, it's time for action. Replace or re-sharpen. Your face has to be the judge. With DE blades, it's silly to try to stretch them for one or two more shaves.

Randy

**crackstar** · 04-10-2006, 04:16 AM

with me, Merkur blades last around 4 shaves, although I've squeezed out a 5th good shave at times.

Jeff

**PoshRichM** · 04-10-2006, 12:30 PM

I wish I could get more than three shaves per Merkur blade, but I think because I usually wind up doing 4 passes plus T&C per shave, there's just no way to make them last any longer.

-Rich