ATG just about my Adam’s apple is the test for me when a blade is toast. It also depends on which razor I use, a more rigid head can take some blades up to 8-9 shaves.
I can see that. You are probably staying more in the absolute best performance curve for DE blades.For me it's typically:
Feather DE blades = 2 shaves
Other DE blades = 3 shaves
Beyond that the blade tends to tug instead of gliding. The razor does have an effect here, though. With a mild razor it's generally less noticeable that you're dragging a dull blade over your face.
I nearly carved my face off trying for a third shave with a Feather blade in my Ikon Tek the other day. The first and second shaves had been terrific.I can see that. You are probably staying more in the absolute best performance curve for DE blades.
I blade count uses and find the average and every blade is slightly different. Astra SP was my first 100 pc buy and found that after 5-10 blades of used I concluded 5-8 shaves was max on Astra SP blades for a nice DFS> and I just use 6 average as max and toss. Might as well find the sweet spot and enjoy the shave most of the time. Different times of the year beard gets tougher from Dryness (Winter months) and might toss quicker if it is not doing the job. I have lots of blades and even toss at 5 most lately and also use lots SE blades and some of those have excellent life Gem SS PTFE 8-12 so average is 10 shaves and toss, SE AC blades 5-7 uses and toss on 6 max seems a sweet spot. Personna SS PTFE injector SE 8-12 and average for max is 10 and toss regardless.
Kai SS DE blade is a exception because they are pricy and have excellent life I seem to get 9-12 decent shaves so I like to toss around 10 shaves average as max regardless (excellent longevity + extra wide + Sharp & smooth= top tier 5 blades for myself).
Each manufacture has their own formulated blade steel so sharpness might drop off quickly on some blades(Feather) and then there are SE blades that have great longevity yet some do not consider them sharp but the edge gives a person 10 decent shaves has to be sharp with excellent metal edge retention know how!
Some fellows toss a blade after 1st shave and that is a mistake because 2nd & 3rd use are the sharpest the blade is from known experiments using high tech equipment in a laboratory setting and just experience shavers notice those slight changes in blade feel and final shave results.
Kind of long winded on this one.
I believe you are correct and it is also the angle of blade approaching the skin surface + the grind of the blade with more material behind the edge possibly (scalpel edge). I think also that the steel Personna uses for these blades is superior than other manufactures at the moment until the CEO of the company wants more sales with a cheaper steel material and in time will ruin the company that is how finicky todays shavers are and will just move on to a better blade possibly is what I predict if they go this route of greed. They should promote those Personna injector & Gem blades with a few new superior razors that can be easily manufactured these days it seems like their predecessors where able to, Marketing razor blades is a moving target and sometimes you have to innovate because of competition is so awesome.SE blades like GEM and injector blades from Personna and Schick or Artist Club are significantly thicker than DE blades. Because they contain more steel, they are more expensive than DE blades. However, the additional thickness produces a more rigid blade that will hold the edge longer.
1 Head shave is the equivalent of 2 face shaves because surface area covered I understand, try another 1 or 2 shaves & see what happens with the Kai SS DE blade or are you using the Kai SE blades.I've never taken a KAI past 4 shaves. 2 head shaves/2 face shaves. Perhaps I'm wasting blades with that one? Shave 4 is still spot on for me. I keep forgetting to push it farther.
KAI DE. I certainly will, Ron. I'm going to print out your reply and tape it to my bathroom mirror so I can remember.1 Head shave is the equivalent of 2 face shaves because surface area covered I understand, try another 1 or 2 shaves & see what happens with the Kai SS DE blade or are you using the Kai SE blades.