How Many Shaves before an Astra SP acts like a standard SS Blade?

**Renato1** · 08-14-2012, 08:23 AM

I posted here a while back that I wasn't that fond of Astra SP blades, as they are too sharp for me. I've been very happy with Gillette Super Thin and Supermax Stainless Steel blades.

But I bought a nice big yellow Big Roc razor from Hong Kong, that was way too mild. My Gillette Super Thin and Supermax SS blades didn't work at all well in it, so I put an Astra SP blade in it, which did work well - far too well, as I always get nicks when I shave with it.

So I've been shaving with the Big Roc and Astra SP nearly every second shave, hoping that the blade would dull a bit and behave like my other stainless steel blades behave in my other razors.

Only problem is, I've now shaved some 10 or 12 times with that Astra SP blade, and it still seems as sharp as the first day I put it in the Big Roc.

Does anybody have an idea of how many shaves it takes before my Astra SP blade starts behaving like a Gillette Super Thin and Supermax Stainless Steel blade?
Regards,
Renato

**Dennard** · 08-14-2012, 08:27 AM

Renato, it may be that the Astra blade just does not work well for you. For me, Astras are sharp for the first shave, but comfortable for use three or four more times.

**Graybeard57** · 08-14-2012, 08:35 AM

Using an EJ89, I get two comfortable shaves with Astra, and a third decent shave. Four would be pushing it for me.

**Chester** · 08-14-2012, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by Dennard

Renato, it may be that the Astra blade just does not work well for you.

This is my thought as well. They're good, but they're not right for everyone.
-- Chet

**Renato1** · 08-14-2012, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Dennard

Renato, it may be that the Astra blade just does not work well for you. For me, Astras are sharp for the first shave, but comfortable for use three or four more times.

Thanks for that.
I'm not saying they're uncomfortable - just real nicking, sharp. They remind me a bit of the Wilkinson Sword blades I used to use decades ago - they'd nick me for four or five days, then they'd be great for two weeks.
I guess blade technology has advanced a lot in the meantime.
Regards,
Renato

**Renato1** · 08-14-2012, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Graybeard57

Using an EJ89, I get two comfortable shaves with Astra, and a third decent shave. Four would be pushing it for me.

Interesting how we vary.
I'm up to around 10 or 12 shaves in my Merkur 333C (with 25C's handle) with my SuperMax SS, same with my Gillette Tech and Gillette Super Thin, and they still feel fine to me.
Regards,
Renato

**Renato1** · 08-14-2012, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by Chester

This is my thought as well. They're good, but they're not right for everyone.
-- Chet

Well, if it comes to it - I'll have to put my carton of 100 Astra SP's on Ebay. At the rate that one blade is going, they'd last me a couple of life times.
Regards,
Renato

**SteveWY** · 08-14-2012, 09:48 AM

The Astra SP is my go-to blade. For me, the second shave is better and I typically go for 5-6 shaves before tossing it. Every beard type and tolerance is different. Don't try to make a blade work for you if you don't like it. Stay with those that work weel consistently for you.

**Renato1** · 08-14-2012, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by SteveWY

The Astra SP is my go-to blade. For me, the second shave is better and I typically go for 5-6 shaves before tossing it. Every beard type and tolerance is different. Don't try to make a blade work for you if you don't like it. Stay with those that work weel consistently for you.

Your advice is sensible, and I'd normally be in full agreement.
But in this case I am more trying to make the Big Roc razor work for me rather than the blade, and have found by the way that I have a super sharp blade that just doesn't want to go blunt the way I'd wish it too.

I have a Feather in my Weber DLC that I've now used about 20 times and still doesn't want to go blunt - but I don't get nicks from it. Maybe after another 10 shaves I'll transfer that to the Big Roc razor and see if I have the right effect.
Cheers,
Renato

**cryhavoc** · 08-15-2012, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Renato1

Does anybody have an idea of how many shaves it takes before my Astra SP blade starts behaving like a Gillette Super Thin and Supermax Stainless Steel blade?
Regards,
Renato

Never, but Astra SP's don't work for me. I really like the Astra SS perhaps you should give them a shot.

**Chester** · 08-15-2012, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Renato1

I have a Feather in my Weber DLC that I've now used about 20 times and still doesn't want to go blunt - but I don't get nicks from it.

My GF's brother used to use a single blade for a month before pitching it... shaving every day. He'd just cope with the dullness with technique. He did it as an exercise in conservation, which I applaud. At the same time, blades are cheap and recyclable, and there's no real need to stretch them that far. I have him a couple hundred of my personal favorites and he's told me not to give him any more, as he has enough to last the rest of his life. He did tell me recently that he's begin to give a blade just 2 weeks, now, and kind of likes the idea of not having any appreciable edge degradation to deal with.
Just an anecdote, for what it's worth.
-- Chet

**Renato1** · 08-15-2012, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by cryhavoc

Never, but Astra SP's don't work for me. I really like the Astra SS perhaps you should give them a shot.

I didn't know they existed till now. Thanks.
Renato

**Renato1** · 08-15-2012, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Chester

My GF's brother used to use a single blade for a month before pitching it... shaving every day. He'd just cope with the dullness with technique. He did it as an exercise in conservation, which I applaud. At the same time, blades are cheap and recyclable, and there's no real need to stretch them that far. I have him a couple hundred of my personal favorites and he's told me not to give him any more, as he has enough to last the rest of his life. He did tell me recently that he's begin to give a blade just 2 weeks, now, and kind of likes the idea of not having any appreciable edge degradation to deal with.
Just an anecdote, for what it's worth.
-- Chet

Very funny - he sounds like me.

When I was shaving electric, one guy at work tried my used Philips cutters, which I couldn't stand anymore after a year's use. He thought they were fine. I then kept him in cutters for years, as he'd use them for another year to year and a half.
Cheers,
Renato

**burntraven** · 08-15-2012, 01:22 PM

At the moment the Astra is my go-to DE blade (only tried 7 or 8 others) and get two good shaves with them, then the third shave they start tugging for me. So I only use mine for 2 shaves. But of course YMMV

**Renato1** · 08-17-2012, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by burntraven

At the moment the Astra is my go-to DE blade (only tried 7 or 8 others) and get two good shaves with them, then the third shave they start tugging for me. So I only use mine for 2 shaves. But of course YMMV

Thanks for that. I find it amazing that you only get two shaves out of an Astra SP blade.

I've only ever noticed blade dragging with in first use of cheap cartridge razors, and in first use of cheap DE razors - namely some Chinese TTOs and the cheap clip-down Indian Gillette plastic razor - despite having brand new DE blades in each of them.
Regards,
Renato

**Renato1** · 08-17-2012, 06:47 AM

Update: I had another shave today with the Big Roc and Astra SP - probably making it the 13th shave. I only had three relatively minor nicks. The blade does seem to be improving.
Regards,
Renato

**burntraven** · 08-18-2012, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by Renato1

Thanks for that. I find it amazing that you only get two shaves out of an Astra SP blade.

I've only ever noticed blade dragging with in first use of cheap cartridge razors, and in first use of cheap DE razors - namely some Chinese TTOs and the cheap clip-down Indian Gillette plastic razor - despite having brand new DE blades in each of them.
Regards,
Renato

Yes well I only use vingate gillettes, and have feel blades dragging quite a few times while testing blades. When I first started using astras was using them for 4 days. But, I got horrible razor burn from it, switched to 3 still happened. Switched down to Two days and its smooth sailing. It's just mileage stuff. And really the Astra isnt the perfect blade for me, but it is my best option til i can find another de blade that works for me better. But its awesome to see people getting weeks out of a blade now thats what I call amazing.

**merkur59** · 08-18-2012, 09:36 AM

I seem to get more shaves out of a blade in a mild razor like weber.

Feather -7 to 9
astra sp -5
astra ss -4
supermax ss -4 to 5
Supermax plat -3

Most other cheaper blades - 3

I like chroma but I always have to bin it after 3 shaves because it will have brown stain by then. I live near the sea and things corrode fast...

**haiti222** · 08-18-2012, 10:12 AM

The Astras may not be good match for that particular razor, or they may be bad for you. In using a slim over my non adjustibles, I have come to realize that certain razors really do make more of a difference than I thought before.....

**Nick Danger** · 08-18-2012, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Graybeard57

Using an EJ89, I get two comfortable shaves with Astra, and a third decent shave. Four would be pushing it for me.

I get exactly the same results from an Astra, and I have the same razor. The first two shaves are excellent, and the third is acceptable. After three, I toss the blade and move on to the next one. Sounds like I should pay attention to your posts, since we may have similar shaving technique and/or whiskers.

Nick