Blade Life Expectancy

**mglantz** · 09-12-2006, 03:27 PM

Well guys, I've at it for about 5 weeks now and with all the great advice in the forums to draw upon, my wet shaving experience has been going very well. I'm far from being an expert and have some fine tuning to do to my technique but, all in all, my shaves have been comfortable and enjoyable.

I have a very tough beard and have been using Derby blades (only one's I've tried so far) and they seem to do a nice job. The first two shaves off a new blade is no problem; however, by the third shave, the razor starts o drag and pull a little. At this point, I change to a new blade and the shave immediately becomes smoother and more comfortable. Now I know that many, if not most of you get up to a week out of a blade but if I tried to use a blade for more than two or three shaves, my face would look like hamburger. Changing out blades every third shave is not a problem but I would like to know if there are any others out there who also experience short life spans from their blades. Are there other brands that might last longer or is my beard just a blade killer? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

**Dinder1** · 09-12-2006, 03:32 PM

I never go past 3-4 shaves per blade, and at about .16 per blade who cares.
Cheers, DJ.

**NMMB** · 09-12-2006, 04:23 PM

I don't get a week from a blade... I get a max of 2 shaves per blade...

It isn't that I like to waste the blades or anything, but as any other tough-bearder member knows, a dull blade and a rough beard are a match made in hell.

**Jim** · 09-12-2006, 04:30 PM

Welcome back NMichaelMB

**NMMB** · 09-12-2006, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Goosemeplease

Welcome back NMichaelMB

Jim, et al, there will be an upcoming "I'm back" post once I get to it... after all, I've been away for quite some time and will need to write a worthwhile post to make up for that time...

**mikey** · 09-12-2006, 08:27 PM

hello michael,

very well said. i have a tough beard as well although i get 1 week's worth of shaves per blade (doesn't matter what brand or kind). if i shave every day, i get 7 shaves out of a blade. if i mow down a week's worth of stubble (actually full grown beard) i get 1 shave out of it.

thanks,
mike

Originally Posted by NMMB

...
It isn't that I like to waste the blades or anything, but as any other tough-bearder member knows, a dull blade and a rough beard are a match made in hell.

**Steelforge** · 09-12-2006, 10:24 PM

I used to have to change my Mach3 blade after 2 shaves, so even if I used a new Derby every day it would still be massively cheaper than my Mach3 days!

At the moment while I'm still learning I use a blade for 2 days max, then change for a fresh one. I could probably get more shaves out of each blade but I prefer to use fresh/sharp blades while I'm still perfecting my technique. Maybe when I get better I'll use a blade for 3 or 4 days, but they're so cheap* I don't worry about it too much.

* Buying blades in bulk off Ebay.

**mglantz** · 09-12-2006, 10:30 PM

Mikey, I think you hit on my problem. In my job, I don't need to shave everyday and many times I don't. With the way my beard grows, a two to three day's growth would be better tackled with wire cutters. So basically, I must be beating the crap out of my blade when I shave after skipping a couple of days. I guess it comes down to shaving everyday or just burning through a few extra blades. Thanks to everyone for their feedback. It's nice to know that others experience the same things I do.

Mike

**FriscoSoxFan** · 09-13-2006, 06:31 AM

I change blades every Monday and Thursday. On Saturday I do my "best" shave of the week and go for BBS because I have more time. That gives me a cartridge level of shave on Sunday morning without having to shave at all :)

I use Walmart Personnas. At $0.16 per blade, I could probably go new every day and still come out ahead.

**TimmyBoston** · 09-15-2006, 10:59 PM

I don't have an especially tough beard. How often should I change my blades?
Also when you say "shaves" you mean shaves (the whole process), right, not passes?

Also when does a blade yield it's best shave, on the first shave? The second? When?

**rtaylor61** · 09-15-2006, 11:13 PM

Every blade and every beard is different. Blade life will not be 100% consistent. The key is looking for feedback. If you can go a week or more with a blade, great. But once a blade begins to pull or tug, or becomes uncomfortable, toss it. I generally change my blade every Sunday. And I do this even if I have used a straight razor for part of the week. These DE blades are inexpensive, and while I don't suggest being wasteful, this is something you are using on your face. I've had blades that I was using, and mid-week, after one pass, felt it beginning to pull or tug, and changed blades mid-shave. The goal is not maximum blade life, but maximum comfort.

Randy

**jduffy** · 09-16-2006, 05:50 AM

Three seems about right but I know I've gotten more than four out of my Gillette Tech. The razor is so tame, you can get more shaves out of it with an older blade.

I have been using so many different razors that I've recently bought that I can't keep track of what blade I've been using and how many times! It's fun experimenting.

**Leisureguy** · 09-16-2006, 09:42 AM

I read about ShaveMax blades and have ordered some to try. They seem to give one great shave and that's it: a one-shave blade. OTOH, I get several great shaves from a Feather.

I think the big variable besides the obvious (which blade you use) is the prep: if you've fully wetted the beard, it will offer less resistance. Showering, using a conditioner on the beard, washing again at the sink, using a good lather, etc.---that all helps the razor last longer.

The other variable is technique: if you make the razor's edge correctly address the whisker, it will cut through cleanly and last longer. The wrong angle is hard on the edge. Or so I believe.

All that said: do try the sampler packet of blades. Perhaps you'll find a blade that works better for you and lasts longer for you than the Derbys.

**Gatorade** · 09-16-2006, 09:55 AM

This may be the mother of all YMMV topics here. Depends on the blade/face/razor/technique/time between shaves..... Star and moon alignment as well. I had a Derby I used in a Ranger Tech for 10+ shaves before I felt it was time to end it's life. I usually go 6 or so shaves before I change blades but I would not hesitate to change blades after one use if it wasn't what it should be. I actually think I get the best shaves the second or third shave of a blade.

**gc_30286** · 09-18-2006, 07:17 AM

feathers give me the best shave the second time i use them. i usually get 3-5 shaves out of a blade depending on what type it is.

matthew

**LX_Emergency** · 09-19-2006, 03:00 AM

I get a few hundred shaves out of mine.....but I use a straight and when it's not sharp enough anymore I just hone it again........

On the other hand with my old M3 I never got more than a weeks worth of shaves out of one cartridge so I figure the DE's would not last longer.