How many shaves do you normally get per blade?

• Jul 18, 2011

• #1

Codfish

I'm interested in the average number of shaves you normally get per blade. For purposes of the poll, assume you're using your favorite blade in your favorite razor.

I know there are a lot of factors related to blade life, and if you want to add comments below, you are welcome to do that.

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• #2

DFSDAILY

I use 5 blades in a rotation with my EJ89L, and I get 7 shaves out of all of them.
Red IP's, Voskhod, Lord Platinum, Shark Super Stainless, Treet Dura Sharp Classic Carbon

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• #3

eski11

I use Blue Birds and use to get 5-6 shaves per blades but lately, I have been getting 10+, maybe it has to do with the warm weather.

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• #4

bakerbarber

Which brand of blade?

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• Thread starter
• #5

Codfish

bakerbarber said:

Which brand of blade?

Click to expand...

Your personal favorites. It doesn't matter what they are.

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• #6

mgiah

With any DE, I just won't go past 4 shaves (3-4 passes each shave). I may be able to get a one or two more, but the chances of irritation exponentially increase with each subsequent use. It's just not worth the risk.

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• #7

Shaving_CHENG

I get 3 solid shaves out of a Red Personna and Crystals.

Does anyone else notice that a Feather seems to give less, maybe 2 before you feel a lot of tug?

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• Thread starter
• #8

Codfish

mgiah said:

With any DE, I just won't go past 4 shaves (3-4 passes each shave). I may be able to get a one or two more, but the chances of irritation exponentially increase with each subsequent use. It's just not worth the risk.

Click to expand...

My cut-off is three shaves. I don'tlike the risk that goes with forcing more shaves.

Shaving_CHENG said:

I get 3 solid shaves out of a Red Personna and Crystals.

Does anyone else notice that a Feather seems to give less, maybe 2 before you feel a lot of tug?

Click to expand...

Agree on both counts. I like the comfort of the Reds and Crystals, which are favorites. I seldom use Feathers for the same reason.

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• #9

ironbrewer

Reference this thread. Using Gillette NOS extra Bleue's in my redtip. On Red IP's, Astra's, Crystals I get 2 too 3 shaves. Feathers I get about 0.3 shaves, before I start scraping off too mush skin.

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• #10

JCinPA

The Lather Maestro

I couldn't vote. Without reference to the blade the data is meaningless.

2 with a Feather, a week with NOS Shick Plus Platinums, 4-6 with most of the 7 O'Clock series. Varies too much.

But I am glad I got a big batch of NOS Schicks!

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• #11

kinglaiho

It also (at least for me) depends on how often i shave. If i shave only twice a week, i'll need a new blade each shave, but if it's every day, i get more shaves out of each blade.

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• #12

Myosin

I change blades every 4 shaves regardless of whether I think it needs it or not.

I didn't invest this much money into creams, a brush, razors, and lotions, just to squeeze the life out of .30 blades.

I was miserable when I shaved with the fusion because I would try to stretch each cartridge out for two weeks because they were so expensive. Not going back to that ever again.

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• Thread starter
• #13

Codfish

JCinPA said:

I couldn't vote. Without reference to the blade the data is meaningless.

2 with a Feather, a week with NOS Shick Plus Platinums, 4-6 with most of the 7 O'Clock series. Varies too much.

But I am glad I got a big batch of NOS Schicks!

Click to expand...

I apologize for the vagueness, but it was deliberate. I am struggling with a problem with a new Muhle R41 which gives me only about half of the blade life I am used to with a number of razors. I get a maximum of two with it, and am used to getting at least three. I was surprised when a member posted that he normally got 15, and wondered if I was by nature a blade burner.

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• #14

Myosin

The razor shouldn't any effect on how long a blade lasts.

Your hair is either very dense, you got a defective lot of blades, or you're somehow damaging the blade when storing it and the razor.

Are you wiping your blades after you're shaves?

 

• Jul 18, 2011

• Thread starter
• #15

Codfish

Myosin said:

The razor shouldn't any effect on how long a blade lasts.

Click to expand...

That's exactly what I thought, too. I use five aggressive razors in my rotation, and always can count on 3-4 good, comfortable shaves from each, using my favorite blades.

I bought a Muhle R41 two weeks ago and the standard blade life I was used to was cut nearly in half. When I posted a thread to talk about the issue, I ran into members who told me they got 10-15 good shaves per blade. I began to wonder if I was a blade burner.

I'm now hearing from members that razor design can effect blade life, and why. This was news to me.

 

Last edited: Jul 18, 2011

• Jul 18, 2011

• #16

Jimbo

The Slant is different enough that it does effect blade life. Think about holding a DE blade, buy the edges, between your thumb and forefinger. Unless you apply a fair amount of pressure, it won't cut you (don't try this at home).
Now think about holding the blade at each end and pulling the sharpened edge across your palm (think about it, don't try it). Again, you need to apply a lot of pressure to cut yourself, no matter the angle.
Now, think about turning the blade at just a slight angle but pulling in the same direction as before. Slice.
I submit: with the Slant, the blade will have less contact with the skin compared to a traditional safety razor to slice through the hairs. The scraping of the skin will dull the blade faster than a blade that just slices the hairs.

 

• Jul 19, 2011

• #17

insomb

Usually use personna reds and use 3-4 times but lately I've been shaving with super max and while i'm still ordering personnas, they last longer and get really good around the 4th shave

 

• Jul 19, 2011

• #18

P

Pasha

Usually get 3 comfortable shaves, maybe 4th one depending on which blade and razor I'm using. Decided to take a Gillette green for a 5th shave today and man was I sorry I did. Lesson learned!!!

 

• Jul 19, 2011

• #19

Grumpy_Bottom

3 with red personnas, 2 with feathers, might push 4 tomorrow with a lab as there was little tugging, but a few weepers this morning on day 3. I do shave both my head and beard at the same time, 1 pass +touchup head, 3-4 pass + touchup beard with a slant.

 

• Jul 19, 2011

• #20

Wolfman1

Usually get 3 with Astra SP and Derbys, 4 with Gillette 7 O'Clock (yellow) and only 2 with locally bought Wilkinsons.