How do you know when a blade is done?

[Starkicker]

I've been doing an experiment to determine the lifespan of certain blades; I'm using new Shark Super Chromes and while it's not my preferred blade I was committed to it. The initial shave was horribly tuggy and rough, but I found that shaves 2-5 were OK and the blade was acceptable. Minimal razor burn and I was really careful with my technique.

I've been using the same blade for a little over a week now, probably about 8 shaves in total. What i'm finding now is that the shaves are smooth, but i'm finding missed spots where I never had them before; but the missed spots are on my neck under my chin which is a hard area to shave smooth to begin with.

Is this the blade is finally done? I have always read that when a blade is done, it gets tuggy and gives really harsh shaves. Could this be an issue with my technique?

 

[taco8slo]

If I feel tugging and I know my lather and prep were good then the blade is done, I will then change out the blade and finish the shave.

 

[JaxJim]

If I feel tugging and I know my lather and prep were good then the blade is done, I will then change out the blade and finish the shave.

This exactly.

 

[jhh834]

I know it is time to retire a blade when I get excessive tugging and pulling, notice more than 1-2 weepers, my skin still feels irritated hours after shaving, or it takes more passes than usual to get an acceptable shave.

 

[KQY61]

Hi,

Well, they start off not cutting so well anymore, and that sounds like where you are at the moment. Then, they feel like they are sort of skipping somewhat across your face like you forgot the lubricant (soap or cream). If you keep going, then the skipping becomes worse and little weeping blood spots appear as a result.

The initial grabbiness is usually due to the coating used on the blade edge having to slough off.

Stan

 

[targa88]

If I feel tugging and I know my lather and prep were good then the blade is done, I will then change out the blade and finish the shave.

Usually happens along the jawbone line...rarely does a blade last a week....

 

[ChiefBroom]

Yes, tugging and pulling. Not smooth. I hardly ever wait until a blade gets there. I use Astra SPs. Shave twice with one, toss it, and load a new blade. I have some really tough whiskers. At the price of Astras, it isn't worth it to me to economize on blades by stretching for longer use at the expense of enjoyable shaves.

 

[celestino]

If I feel tugging and I know my lather and prep were good then the blade is done, I will then change out the blade and finish the shave.

+2

 

[BRITD]

I change it as soon as it doesn't feel right. Usually 4 or 5 shaves depending on blade.

 

[Joe_Karp]

It's a combination of the pull (and the blade skips causing nicks) as others are saying, but it's also the sound the blade makes while cutting the beard. I use my Mergress razors a lot and there's definitely a difference when the blade starts going dull; I can hear it. As the gent above says, it's usually within the week or so I have to change out.

 

[NingYupOwaDat]

I don't wait for them to go I just change blades after 3 shaves, except for with Astras I change them after 2.

 

[hdjj00]

Starkicker,
Are you giving your face a good prep (facial scrub, hot towel, etc...)? I've had these same issues, but only when I am in a hurry or when I am forced to shave with cold water. Also, check for excessive or uneven blade gap on your razor. A razor with a guide bar or tines that are just slightly out of alignment can cause these sort of issues.

 

[musicman1951]

I change it as soon as it doesn't feel right. Usually 4 or 5 shaves depending on blade.

+1 I don't wait until it's tugging. I used to see how far my Med Preps would go, but that last "extra" day was unpleasant. At the price of blades I now stop a couple of days short of unpleasant. 5-6 for Med Prep, 4 for 7:00 Black and Astra, 3 for Feather.

 

[Starkicker]

Thanks guys. My prep is basically a shower before the shave and then I face lather. I've acquired a few new soaps so I was just getting used to them but the lather felt the same so I wasn't sure it was the soaps. My go-to soap is MWF. I'm using a EJ DE86, i've been using this razor for months now and I haven't dropped it or anything like that so I think it's the blade.

The blade doesn't feel bad per se, no tugging or extreme razor burn/harshness. I'm still going through my blade sampler to determine which blades work for me and I would normally use the blade for one week and then throw it out but I wanted to see how long a blade could last to see what blades were best. I believe my technique has gotten better as well.

My beard grows fully, but has soft whiskers - a disposable mach 3 would last me months, I would throw them out when the moisturizing strip would fall off. A DE I find gives me a closer, smoother shave overall though.

I'll put a fresh blade in to see if the shave is any better.

 

[VerbaVolant]

In my experience no blades are created equal and also they are just one part of the equation. At the consumer level there is no gauge to measure how "good" a blade is, furthermore they all behave differently when getting dull.
I focus on fewer blades that I stashed and change them according to their performance on my skin. Gillette blades get four shaves. Feather, Personna and others get three.

 

[Teddyboy]

looks like this, it is probably time for a new blade.

 

[Graybeard57]

When it tugs, I toss it.

 

[vickywally]

If I feel tugging and I know my lather and prep were good then the blade is done, I will then change out the blade and finish the shave.

+1

 

[Useless shaver]

looks like this, it is probably time for a new blade.

 

[Invicta]

I get 7 days out a blade usually. My present blade, Astra Superior Stainless, has completed 18 shaves. No blood and no razor burn so that is a good sign. I migt have to re-think the 7 day cycle. Cheap as they are I am a firm believer in looking after the pennies and let the pounds look after themselves.