I've been using a safety razor for more than 30 years, if that is relevant in any way, which I think it isn't. I always clean my razor after I remove the blade. Every day.
After rinsing and drying, I place the blade on the face cloth or TP sheet, uncovered. It stays there patiently waiting for the next day use. It does that for 4 or 5 days, then it asks to be retired. That's when a new blade volunteers and starts its duties. This cycle has been my routine for a very long time.
In my opinion, a blade would not become dull quicker if kept inside the razor. Not in a significant way that would have a major impact on our shaves. I have never read a study regarding this, and my opinion is just that, my opinion. It does reflect my background and education.
Haven't found that to be the case for me - I've just never found that a razor blade gets sharper with use. I've heard various theories proposed that the edge coating wears and exposes the blade, that micro-edge hardening happens, or that microscopic irregularities "smooth out," but no empirical evidence for any of this - all subjective. Many do describe a better shave with a used blade and arguably a duller blade feels better. I'm not sure you could make a successful argument that a duller blade cuts better - the thinnest, keenest edge it will ever have for the user is fresh out of the wrapper. So - for me - a new blade goes in the razor every shave. A minimal expense compared to any other wet shaving costs, and I have enough blades to last the rest of my life shaving daily - probably more, and if I saved .10 a shave every day by reusing, that would still be less than $40 annually - a puck or two of soap. So I don't worry about razor damage, or how many shaves I have left, or pulling hair with a too-used blade, or handling a bare blade more than once. But that's just me. Some other shavers do the same - it's a wonderful world of variety in the wet shaving Universe, and room enough for all!
This.
www.badgerandblade.com
www.refinedshave.com
Re-wrapping of the blade is part of my routine, too, since I change blade brands/switch my razors regularly. Never encountered any issues with the blades if carefully(!) put back into the wrapper. I always let the blade dry on a magnet beforehand.
Could be onto something:
Is it just me or does some DE blades actually get sharper AFTER the first shave?
I have a Merkur 34C HD razor and have so far just tried Personna and Feather blades. The Feathers are very sharpe and with my technique and beard i get 2 (sometimes 3) good shaves before the blade tuggs. I use 3 passed with each shave to get a BBS result (with some touch-ups) I have bought a...
Interestingly, there has been some research:
Razor Blade Sharpness Testing
Razor Blade Sharpness Testing If you are only interested in the Razor Blade Sharpness Summary and already know how the testing works, click here to see summary tables. I have a background in Materi…
But I have a developing theory. The blade manufacturers (most) try to ensure that a blade comes from the factory pre-honed and polished, as sharp and smooth as it gets, and frequently with microscopic quality checks. I shave with zero pressure on the razor - and I mean literally zero. I don't always achieve that, and my shave lets me know, but as close to zero as possible. I know that's the ideal, but I believe some, or most, of us don't achieve that. So shaving with a used blade - even a single use - I can tell almost immediately. If you apply pressure during your shave - any pressure - a sharper blade is more likely to remove layers of epidermis along with the beard, even a little. Providing a less comfy shave. As the blade edge wears, you are less likely to trim skin - even a little - with beard, with a less sharp blade. That could account for the "smoother" feel experienced by some with subsequent shaves. Technique specific. Just a theory, but I like it. Or not. Or could very much be blade-specific, as you point out. Would be interesting to hear if other single-use shavers experience the same thing.
