Hi everyone, I've found that my blades tend to dull/deteriorate gradually with each additional use. With the exception of a couple really bad blades, that were discarded in the middle of a shave on first use, I've always been able to complete my shave with the same blade and then decide if it was time for a new one. This has become even more true as my technique has improved from changes such as a shift to wetter/slicker lather. When I've experienced a sudden deterioration in razor performance it has turned out to be a technique issue such as trying a new shave soap with insufficient slickness because I had not dialed in the loading correctly. Blade would be fine on the next shave with quality lather.
That said there are many posts from fellow B&Bers who do experience a sudden deterioration in blade performance sometimes requiring a mid-shave blade change or a mandatory limit in shaves per blade to minimize the possibility of a bad shave. Saw a post earlier today where a backup razor with a fresh blade is always on standby.
There are lots of factors in play that can effect blade wear from really sharp blades, such as Feather, that have a narrow edge hone angle with the result that they wear rapidly with many B&Bers only realizing one or two shaves per blade. Less sharp blades, with a wider edge tip hone angle, may be more resistant to the microchiping that is the primary driver of blade wear. I suspect that hair thickness/density could also come into play here. We've another thread regarding how aggressive razors might impact blade life. Believe there was some research that blade angle geometry can affect wear. Of course carbon steel blades can deteriorate quickly due to susceptibility to corrosion vs stainless.
What is your experience with razor blade wear? Do your blades suddenly drop off in performance or do they only gradually deteriorate? Does this vary based on the brand and type of blade that you use and have changes in your shaving techniques effected blade life? Any sense of what drives rapid blade deterioration when you experience it?
That said there are many posts from fellow B&Bers who do experience a sudden deterioration in blade performance sometimes requiring a mid-shave blade change or a mandatory limit in shaves per blade to minimize the possibility of a bad shave. Saw a post earlier today where a backup razor with a fresh blade is always on standby.
There are lots of factors in play that can effect blade wear from really sharp blades, such as Feather, that have a narrow edge hone angle with the result that they wear rapidly with many B&Bers only realizing one or two shaves per blade. Less sharp blades, with a wider edge tip hone angle, may be more resistant to the microchiping that is the primary driver of blade wear. I suspect that hair thickness/density could also come into play here. We've another thread regarding how aggressive razors might impact blade life. Believe there was some research that blade angle geometry can affect wear. Of course carbon steel blades can deteriorate quickly due to susceptibility to corrosion vs stainless.
What is your experience with razor blade wear? Do your blades suddenly drop off in performance or do they only gradually deteriorate? Does this vary based on the brand and type of blade that you use and have changes in your shaving techniques effected blade life? Any sense of what drives rapid blade deterioration when you experience it?