Hi, I just got into shaving with a safety razor, and I love it. I sometimes can't stop thinking about how slow my beard is growing and how I wish it could grow faster so I could shave again with it XD. But on to what I wanted to ask. I ordered a blade sample pack, and so far I've only been using one blade per shave, on my second blade now. Should I shave three or four times, or go with it as I am now?
Bought a safety razor blade sample pack, but I have one question
- Thread starter Gatmah
- Start date
Some guys just use a blade once, but I think that 3 is more of a typical number of shaves before switching blades. The usual advise is to use a blade until it no longer performs well. The problem with that when you're starting out, is that it's tough to tell whether it's the blade or technique that is causing problems. Going 3 and out is a pretty safe bet, unless a blade just feels terrible from the start.
I generally use them until the comfort level falls off, generally 3-5 shaves, although five is really stretching it. Some blades get dumped before the first pass is done if they're not up to snuff. I don't really have a hard and fast number at which I dispose of a blade.
I use a blade until:
a) it no longer comfortably gives me near-BBS shaves
b) it starts tugging
c) it becomes incapable of a near-BBS shave after 3 passes
d) I get bored
There is no right or wrong answer but I find that I usually enjoy the 2nd shave more than the 1st and many times the 3rd shave is as good as the 2nd. Some blades are capable of up to a week or more of close, comfortable shaves but that is rare.
a) it no longer comfortably gives me near-BBS shaves
b) it starts tugging
c) it becomes incapable of a near-BBS shave after 3 passes
d) I get bored
There is no right or wrong answer but I find that I usually enjoy the 2nd shave more than the 1st and many times the 3rd shave is as good as the 2nd. Some blades are capable of up to a week or more of close, comfortable shaves but that is rare.
- Thread starter
- #7
Gatmah:
My humble advice is to try all the blades per brand before moving on to the next blade. That way can you improve your technique (be applying The 7 P's of Shaving...Prepare, Patience, Pressure, Practice, Persistence, Post shave and Passion (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/313490-New-Members!-The-6-P-s-of-Shaving).
Also, long ago when I received my Sampler, I started a Thread entitled "In what Order should I test these Sampler Razor Blades?", and the best advice was from member Optometrist a.k.a David who stated;
"I say jump straight in with the Feathers [and then the Astra's]. Yes, they are sharp, but you learn very quickly to let the weight of the razor do the work for you. If you can get the feather right, then it's plain sailing with the others. A few nicks and cuts early on are nothing to worry about and stand you in good stead. Start with a lesser blade and it's a continual learning process as you step up the level of sharpness".
Also, member Npsarros stated, "Keep a spreadsheet with every shave [you], have taken, rating each blade as [you], go along". My spread data ratings reads in columns as follows;
a) Razor Blade / Country / Type
b) Sharpness? (aggressive, moderate sharpness, mild sharpness, tugging or pulling, ect...).
c) Closeness of Shave? (DFS, CCS, BBS, ect...).
d) Smoothness/Roughness of Shave? (moderately smooth, very smooth, very,very smooth, ect...).
e) Comfort of Shave? (no irratation, slight irratation, touch of burn, itching, ect...).
f) Overall Rating? (awesome, great, passable or unpleasant).
g) Compatible with your Razor(s)? (yes or no).
PM me with your e-mail address and I will send you my workable spread sheet example.
"A razor [blade] can't be sharpened on a piece of velvet." Author Unknown
My humble advice is to try all the blades per brand before moving on to the next blade. That way can you improve your technique (be applying The 7 P's of Shaving...Prepare, Patience, Pressure, Practice, Persistence, Post shave and Passion (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/313490-New-Members!-The-6-P-s-of-Shaving).
Also, long ago when I received my Sampler, I started a Thread entitled "In what Order should I test these Sampler Razor Blades?", and the best advice was from member Optometrist a.k.a David who stated;
"I say jump straight in with the Feathers [and then the Astra's]. Yes, they are sharp, but you learn very quickly to let the weight of the razor do the work for you. If you can get the feather right, then it's plain sailing with the others. A few nicks and cuts early on are nothing to worry about and stand you in good stead. Start with a lesser blade and it's a continual learning process as you step up the level of sharpness".
Also, member Npsarros stated, "Keep a spreadsheet with every shave [you], have taken, rating each blade as [you], go along". My spread data ratings reads in columns as follows;
a) Razor Blade / Country / Type
b) Sharpness? (aggressive, moderate sharpness, mild sharpness, tugging or pulling, ect...).
c) Closeness of Shave? (DFS, CCS, BBS, ect...).
d) Smoothness/Roughness of Shave? (moderately smooth, very smooth, very,very smooth, ect...).
e) Comfort of Shave? (no irratation, slight irratation, touch of burn, itching, ect...).
f) Overall Rating? (awesome, great, passable or unpleasant).
g) Compatible with your Razor(s)? (yes or no).
PM me with your e-mail address and I will send you my workable spread sheet example.
Depends a lot on how tough and dense your beard is. Mine isn't so tough or dense and I get four very good shaves out of most of my blades. With Feathers (very sharp) Swedish Gillette and Gillette Bleu Extra blades (very sharp and very smooth) I get five to six shaves. Keep using one blade until you can feel it not cutting as quickly and smoothly. Then you'll know how many good shaves you can get from that blade type.
I have a pretty coarse beard and get about 3 shaves per blades. I just tried a Voskhod and got 5 shaves out of it before I needed to toss it. I'd say keep using the blades until they start to tug or cause a few nicks or weapers. Once you're settled on a brand of blade you can order a 100 pack and can toss them out sooner if you want. That tends to be what I do. if I know the 5th shave will be dicey, toss the blade after 4 and put a fresh one in.
