Blade VS Cartridge

[jkcerda]

ok, seems the EJ is an AWESOME razor, now, the Derby blades I got with it seem to only last 2 full shaves, bear in mind I shave my dome AND face at the same time.

that said, I can use the Fussion for 2 weeks before replacing with the same shave scenario.


at the current rate, seems to break even on cost with cartridge, granted, I am getting a much better shave

D-E, BBS
cartridge,,meh, good enough.

are there blades that last longer out there?

 

[johnmrson]

Vintage blades last considerably longer but that isn't going to help you too much. I've found that Feathers whilst being a fair bit sharper than the Derbys will also last at least a shave longer. I'm surprised at the Fusion lasting that long. Although I haven't used a cartridge blade for alot of years, I didn't find that they lasted particularly long.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I used to drag out Fusion cartidges for about two weeks, just because they cost so much. I wasn't getting very good shaves, but I figured that was the best I could do short of giving lots of money to Gillette.

I've had decent luck with Derby blades. The good ones at least, since I find a bum bpade here and there. With the DE89L, I prefer Feathers, Iridiums and 7 O'Clock yellows. I consistently get three shaves from them, but YMMV. I find that changing blades twice a week (I usually skip a day) works great and is still cost effective compared to a Fusion cartridge.

If you haven't used anything besides Derby blades, think about ordering a sampler pack. You might find a different blade that will give you 3-4 good shaves.

 

[luvmysuper]

Aside from what most of us here to believe to be the other benefits of using a non cartridge razor and going from strictly a cost process, I'm not getting your math.

Right off the bat it's hard to believe that a cart lasts you 2 weeks but a DE blade only 2 shaves - but it's your skin, so you know what's what there.

Store and Bulk Comparison

Store;

Considering a Fusion cart runs $3.33 each at Walmart.

DE blades purchased at Walmart is $1.86 for 10.

That means;
7 DE blades at $0.19 cents each = $1.33
1 Fusion cart at $3.33 each = $3.33

Bulk

Considering a Fusion cart runs just over $2.00 each (cheapest I could find on amazon in bulk was $2.33 each).

Good DE blades purchased in bulk can be had for $ 0.08 cents each.

That means;
7 DE blades at $0.08 cents each = $0.56
1 Fusion cart at $2.00 each = $2.00

If you like and want to use the Fusion, that's your call.
Many guys do like the modern razors and wet shaving is all about the water and brush and soap / cream, not the razor, but I'm not getting that the cost is a wash.

 

[Azza]

I just ordered some Red Pack Personna blades, they have been getting good reviews. They may last longer than the Derby blades, give them a shot.

Aaron

 

[taffy]

I could never get more than 4 or 5 shaves with a cartridge so it was expensive for me, but i do know people who can shave for 2 or 3 weeks with them!

 

[DE Shaver]

Try using Shark or Astra Superior Platinum if you want a cost effective blades that might extend beyond your current two shaves. If you don't mind springing for a little more or Feathers or Super Iridiums. You should get at least one additional shave from them as well if not more.

I'm not sure why you are only getting two shaves form the Derby blades, however, especially considering you're getting two weeks from a Fusion.

 

[buyandhold2018]

I just ordered some Red Pack Personna blades, they have been getting good reviews. They may last longer than the Derby blades, give them a shot.

Aaron

These are my current favorites. They last me about 5 shaves; I can stretch it to 6 or 7 shaves but at 10c a blade it's not worth it. I've used a fusion and you can get about 12-15 shaves out of the cartridge but I found after about shave 2 or 3, the quality of the shave wasn't up to my standards.

 

[Aevum]

derbys are a mild blade, i put them a bit over the merkurs in sharpness, but the merkurs hold their edge a bit longer,

also take in to account that beard stiffness also affects blade longevity, some people get 9 shaves out of a blade, some get 2-3,

now, i use personna reds, i pay 18 euros for 200 blades, putting me at 9 cents a blade, i get 4 weeks out of a cartrige, over that period i would have shaved 13-16 times (i shave every 2-3 days), meaning i would use a maximum of 5-6 blades,

a fusion cartrige here is a bit under 4 euros, (15 euros for a 4 pack), 6 blades are 52 cents, if its a cost issue, the safety razor wins hands down, no problem

then again that Acqua di parma tub i used to get the lather out of, and the Silvertip shavemac might have ruined the economy of it a bit

 

[jkcerda]

I used to drag out Fusion cartidges for about two weeks, just because they cost so much. I wasn't getting very good shaves, but I figured that was the best I could do short of giving lots of money to Gillette.

I've had decent luck with Derby blades. The good ones at least, since I find a bum bpade here and there. With the DE89L, I prefer Feathers, Iridiums and 7 O'Clock yellows. I consistently get three shaves from them, but YMMV. I find that changing blades twice a week (I usually skip a day) works great and is still cost effective compared to a Fusion cartridge.

If you haven't used anything besides Derby blades, think about ordering a sampler pack. You might find a different blade that will give you 3-4 good shaves.

pretty much what I do, make it last , as long as its not irritating me much, it would make it to 2 weeks, sometimes shaving every other day helped.

 

[jkcerda]

Aside from what most of us here to believe to be the other benefits of using a non cartridge razor and going from strictly a cost process, I'm not getting your math.

Right off the bat it's hard to believe that a cart lasts you 2 weeks but a DE blade only 2 shaves - but it's your skin, so you know what's what there.

Store and Bulk Comparison

Store;

Considering a Fusion cart runs $3.33 each at Walmart.

DE blades purchased at Walmart is $1.86 for 10.

That means;
7 DE blades at $0.19 cents each = $1.33
1 Fusion cart at $3.33 each = $3.33

Bulk

Considering a Fusion cart runs just over $2.00 each (cheapest I could find on amazon in bulk was $2.33 each).

Good DE blades purchased in bulk can be had for $ 0.08 cents each.

That means;
7 DE blades at $0.08 cents each = $0.56
1 Fusion cart at $2.00 each = $2.00

If you like and want to use the Fusion, that's your call.
Many guys do like the modern razors and wet shaving is all about the water and brush and soap / cream, not the razor, but I'm not getting that the cost is a wash.

the Derby blade , felt a bit umconfortable trying to finish my second shave, so, I figured it needs replacing already, keep in mind I shave face AND head with them

100 feathers seem to run about 34 bucks on e-bay, that 34 cents a pop.

 

[luvmysuper]

the Derby blade , felt a bit umconfortable trying to finish my second shave, so, I figured it needs replacing already, keep in mind I shave face AND head with them

100 feathers seem to run about 34 bucks on e-bay, that 34 cents a pop.

I get you, and understand what you're saying.

I'm just saying that if you shop around you can get some great deals.
West Coast Shaving sells 100 Israeli Red Personnas for 10 bucks.
IMHO Red Personnas beat Derby's hands down.

Hope you can work it out so it's best for you, whatever route you decide to take.

Good luck.

 

[jkcerda]

I get you, and understand what you're saying.

I'm just saying that if you shop around you can get some great deals.
West Coast Shaving sells 100 Israeli Red Personnas for 10 bucks.
IMHO Red Personnas beat Derby's hands down.

Hope you can work it out so it's best for you, whatever route you decide to take.

Good luck.

out of stock, but, thanks for the tip, I'll check them out, seems some guys like then over the Derbys http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=150946 and I still have the Super Iridiums to try on the EJ


ordering sample pack
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/DE-Blade-Sampler-Pack-Choice_p_20.html

 

[Go West Young Man]

Do this little experiment - keep DE shaving for another 2 or 3 months until your technique really gets dialed in and you're getting DFS/BBS on a consistent daily basis. Then pull out your Fusion and see how many shaves it takes until the cart no longer gives you the quality of shave you're used to. I'll bet at that point you won't be so forgiving and the cart will get tossed at about the same time as the DE blade.

 

[Rocketeer]

, the Derby blades I got with it seem to only last 2 full shaves, bear in mind I shave my dome AND face at the same time. ...
are there blades that last longer out there?

Seeing as how I only shave my face, and have a mustache, my shaving surface area is considerably less than yours. That said, however, I could never get more than three days from a Derby. They are a fairly mild blade.

Try the Astras (green) and the Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (Yellow Russians) and see how these work for you.

Different blades make a HUGE difference!

 

[Jake]

And if you start using a straight razor, one blade could last you a lifetime. Stropping daily -- honing 1x or 2x each year at $20 for someone else doing it for you. Compare that to cartridge razors!

 

[jkcerda]

Seeing as how I only shave my face, and have a mustache, my shaving surface area is considerably less than yours. That said, however, I could never get more than three days from a Derby. They are a fairly mild blade.

Try the Astras (green) and the Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (Yellow Russians) and see how these work for you.

Different blades make a HUGE difference!

the Super Iridium just chewed my face & dome

cant believe the Derbys did a lot better

 

[Antonio]

the Super Iridium just chewed my face & dome

cant believe the Derbys did a lot better

Is it a technique issue? Try another shave and try to focus on each stroke trying to lay down the proper technique and habits.

 

[jkcerda]

Is it a technique issue? Try another shave and try to focus on each stroke trying to lay down the proper technique and habits.

I am betting it is, the Derby blade provided a decent enough shave, while the Iridium killed my nogging.

only been using D-E for a week, I had the same experiene with the SS and Iridiums. I need to learn proper technique first, before I jump to the aggresive blades

 

[Jaymo]

I hate to hear that everyone here has such bad luck with Derby blades. I guess you should all send your Derbys to me for proper disposal.
I get 6-8 good shaves with most Derbys.
My EJ came with a sample pack of blades from Lord. Racer blades seem to work well in the EJ, but only give 3 or 4 good shaves before they start chewing on my face.