Tracking Number of Shaves/Blade

**LocalYokel** · 04-27-2009, 03:54 PM

Pretty much a newby here. Seeing that many of you have a number of razors in rotation, I have been amazed how you can keep track of the shaves-per-blade ratio. Shoot, I can barely find the way to my shave den if I get up too early, much less track blades with a spread sheet first thing in the morning.

Any secrets you can share? Almost forgot, if I switch a used but still serviceable blade from one razor to another, will some earth shattering event happen? Tsunamis? World peace? SWMBO listening to me for a change?

Thanks!

**thebikingengineer** · 04-27-2009, 04:03 PM

Many people will have a spreadsheet set up so that they can track their blade usage. Personally I just toss the blade when it stops shaving well. It's generally about three shaves in with most blades, about 6-7 in with a feather (although I usually get destroyed on the first shave).

As for switching a good blade from one razor to another, as long as you don't nick the edge (even a little) you shouldn't have any trouble.

**mdunn** · 04-27-2009, 05:42 PM

pink elephant trick of the week:
use a whiteboard marker to make a tally in the corner of your mirror. it will wipe right off when you change blades.

you can also use this when you want to leave messages for your self "dont forget doctors appointment at 12:30" for example

**rabidpotatochip** · 04-27-2009, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by mdunn

pink elephant trick of the week:
use a whiteboard marker to make a tally in the corner of your mirror. it will wipe right off when you change blades.

you can also use this when you want to leave messages for your self "dont forget doctors appointment at 12:30" for example

If I did that my wife would write "stop covering the mirror with useless messages".

**Stubblefield** · 04-27-2009, 05:52 PM

Tracking would take the fun out of it.

**bythbook** · 04-27-2009, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by LocalYokel

... if I switch a used but still serviceable blade from one razor to another...

that's what I do.

I get two or three shaves from a blade - and I switch the blade between/among razors.

No tsunamis yet! (...the earth may have moved - a little - the first time I did this....)

**Boba Fett** · 04-27-2009, 06:05 PM

I keep thinking about this, but I haven't been keeping track. my most recent blade, a Merkur, lasted an entire 7 days, so i was impressed. I was used to switching out my M3 every 3 days or so.

**Luc** · 04-27-2009, 06:30 PM

I usually just think about it and I am able to remember when I unwrapped the blade. What helps? I am shaving with differents blades at the moment. I am rotating from Merkur, Wilkinson sword (last one this morning, wooohooo), Personna, Astra, Derby and Feather. So, when I get a new blade, since it's a different brand it's easier to remember. I also have an idea now on how much shaves I get from a blade to another. Nothing specific, just an idea. I would throw the blade out as soon as it drags...

**Windwalker** · 04-27-2009, 09:01 PM

Just use a sharpie and put a dot on the blade near the back for an SE, or near the center for a DE, for each shave. As others have stated you will know by the feel when to change the blade. But this will give you an idea of how many shaves you can get before tossing the blade. I can usually only get 3-4 shaves from a blade of any type.

**whitebar** · 04-27-2009, 10:05 PM

These days I can tell by the feel when it is time to change a blade out. Early on, I grabbed some dice out of a backgammon board and set one next to each razor in rotation. It was easy to keep count of shaves with them as I never kept a blade going longer than six shaves.

**LocalYokel** · 04-28-2009, 11:43 AM

Thanks for all you input and suggestions, guys. I think I will try the sharpie technique.

**_JP_** · 04-28-2009, 01:39 PM

I don't track the number of shaves a blade gives me. When the blade starts to yank me around it's gone.

**xdkeys** · 04-28-2009, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by LocalYokel

Thanks for all you input and suggestions, guys. I think I will try the sharpie technique.

Me, too, that a great idea.

**OldSaw** · 04-28-2009, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by rabidpotatochip

If I did that my wife would write "stop covering the mirror with useless messages".

Well, yeah... the way you write, there wouldn't be any room left for her to put on her lipstick.

**rabidpotatochip** · 04-28-2009, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by OldSaw

Well, yeah... the way you write, there wouldn't be any room left for her to put on her lipstick.

I don't think the lipstick would wash off the mirror as easily though.

**DunEdinRanger** · 04-28-2009, 03:33 PM

I usually adjust my spreadsheet in the evening, not in the morning as I am too rushed for time.

**Blackstangal** · 04-28-2009, 04:39 PM

I dont keep count,but I found if I dried the razor after each use it would last longer.I would dry it with the wifes blow dryer.I str8b shave now and still dry my str8s with a blow dryer especially around the pivot pin and I make sure insides of scales are dry.I do this to prevent rust and water spots.It might sound anal but it works for me.

**dpm802** · 04-28-2009, 04:49 PM

I toss my blades after two uses.

If there is a blade already in the razor when I start my prep, I know it has been used once. I throw it away when I'm done with the shave, and the razor sits empty on the counter until next time, when I put in a fresh one.

Blades are cheap. Blades are easy to get. Blades are designed to be DISPOSABLE.