How long should a safety razor blade last?

H

Hamon

Joined
Jun 19, 2004
Messages
377
Hey folks,

This is a dumb question from a relatively new guy to the safety razor scene, but how long should a safety razor blade last? I'm using Merkur Super Platinums, and I'm just not quite sure what I should be experiencing when I need to replace the blade. I've shaved about four times with my last blade, and I don't know what the telltale signs of an old blade are...

By the way, I just picked up a brush and soap, and I tell ya what, that is a way better experience than any shave cream with a multi-blade disposable... I enjoy shaving now... (That's something, coming from a guy who has been clean-shaven probably three times in the last year.)

Oh, and here's a pic of my setup right now... I don't have an aftershave or balm yet, but I think I'll end up picking up something from the Colonel Conk line, since that's what we sell at the store I work at..

IMG_0007.jpg


Thanks for the help!

Travis
 
I would thing it would just grab instead of cut? If you want it to last longer, keep it in a cup of alcohol, as usually the thing that causes a shaving razor to dull is the blade oxidizing, as the beard isn't hard enough to really wear out the blade that much.
 
Just FYI, there are a couple of dedicated wet shaving forums, shavemyface.com and badgerandblade.com, which are a motherlode of information about any kind of shaving technique.

As to how long a blade lasts: the short answer is, it depends. It depends on the blade, your whisker type, if you properly prep for the shave...

You will get all kinds of answers from people, usually like "my beard is so tough, I can only get 3 or 4 shaves out of a blade". Well, I'm of Mediterranean descent and I could look like Billy Gibbons if I didn't shave for a week - and I get about 10 shaves from a blade.

Anyway, I agree with samhain73 - when you feel the blade tugging at your whiskers instead of smoothly cutting, that would be the time to replace it. You'll find out how many shaves that is just by experience.
 
I have never had much luck using those merkur blades. I like to use either the israeli personna's or the feather blades. they are both wicked sharp and I can usually get 3 or 4 shaves out of them. The blades are so cheap that I usually only use them twice though.
 
I couldn't say. I shave with straight razors. My Genco Razor was made in 1923, and still going strong. My Dovo was made in 1972. My Double Duck Wonderedge was made in 1941, and my Wade and Butcher was made in 1911. All shave closer than is possible with ANY safety razor. I used to use an old silver Gillette Safety Razor, made in 1955, but I only get about 3 shaves from a blade (even Wilkinson Sword blades), and they make me break out on my neck. Straight razors don't do that.

The only 'safety'-type razor I use anymore is my old Durham Duplex, made in 1932. The blade can be sharpened each time.

Semper Fi!
 
As for the platinum, for me they only lastest maybe 4 shaves. To me though, after the 1st shave, it felt as if the blade was grabbing. I would just suck it up, put some alum on the cuts, and then finish up with someother liquid to kill any possible bacteria or whatever could possibly make me break out. Either way, I still look like a stuck pig after i shave.

Honestly, I have been thinking about getting a straight razor (a set of 7 to be exact) and start using straight razors from here on out. Then I can pass it down to the boy!

Problem is I dont know where to start.

later,
flbache
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top