Hi there, having just started de shaving I'm still trying out different blades and have a few lined up. Just wondering how I should go about using each blade. Should I use it until it's dull or should I use each brand a number of times so that my test would be consistent? Any suggestion would be appreciated.
How many shaves should I use each blade while testing
- Thread starter CanuckShaver
- Start date
I am trying out blades as well and I am limiting them to three shaves. That seems to be the average life of a blade. I think it helps to compare them better if you use them all the same way. This is just my way of doing it.
When I went through this, I stuck with one blade brand for a while (what I did was buy 100 Personna Lab blues) and switched it out for a new one when I felt it wasn't working for me. Initially I wasn't sure if any problem was me or the blades--if I wasn't sure, I'd try to finish with it and keep it for the next day; if I was sure, I'd switch out in the middle of a shave. My idea was to try to get a feel for not only how long they took to go bad, but also how they felt going bad.
The net effect was that I switched to a straight.
But I think I was getting six days out of a Personna, two out of a Shark, so brands do matter.
The net effect was that I switched to a straight.
But I think I was getting six days out of a Personna, two out of a Shark, so brands do matter.
Change the blade out when it feels dull (starts to pull, tug, or you start to get weepers), even if it is mid shave.
when testing new blades you should use the same BRAND of blade for 1-2 weeks. Then switch to a different brand for another 1-2 weeks.
Blade jumping will just get you confused.
when testing new blades you should use the same BRAND of blade for 1-2 weeks. Then switch to a different brand for another 1-2 weeks.
Blade jumping will just get you confused.
I swap blades after three shaves. That is what I use when testing a new blade also.
My usual routine is to put in a new blade Sunday morning and use it Sun, Mon, and Tues. I swap on Wednesday, using it Wed, Thurs, and Fri. I try not to shave on Saturday to give my face a break.
My usual routine is to put in a new blade Sunday morning and use it Sun, Mon, and Tues. I swap on Wednesday, using it Wed, Thurs, and Fri. I try not to shave on Saturday to give my face a break.
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2 blades for week,about 3-4 shaves for blade is my routine.
I tend to use a blade for the week, unless it starts tugging then swap it out, I generally use a couple of blades per pack, just in case one is a dud, which can sometimes happen.
it is also advisable to try blades that you can get regularly and in good supply wether locally or from online rather than more elusive blades.
it is also advisable to try blades that you can get regularly and in good supply wether locally or from online rather than more elusive blades.
Depends on the blade. Part of the evaluation is the longevity. Red IP lasted a week; Feather was dull on the 4th shave.I usually try two cycles.
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I have been shaving with my test blades till they decline, I feel that limiting the number of shaves will skew the results ie a blade that gives 5 top notch shaves is much better than a blade that gives you only 3. I admit that this is frustrating as my test blade this week is on shave 5 with no decline. I can't wait to finish it off to see what is in there. (blind testing)
Jim
Jim
While testing sampler blade packages, I did 3 shaves per blade to give it a good evaluation and at least 3 blades per package before changing. I probably tested 30+ different blades and then I would some sleeves of 100 when I found one I really liked and at a good price / value. My keepers became : Feathers, Astra, Shark SC, Red IP, Personna Med Prep, Derby and Nacet but then YMMV.
Now that I have that "keeper" category, I'll still go 3 shaves with them and occasionally 4 or 5 shaves as long as the blade feels fine. Just seem to work for me and allowed for my "subjective" opinion
Gene
Now that I have that "keeper" category, I'll still go 3 shaves with them and occasionally 4 or 5 shaves as long as the blade feels fine. Just seem to work for me and allowed for my "subjective" opinion
Gene
A good tip I picked up in the forums is that I keep a single dice to track how many times I use a blade, changing the number on the die after each use. I find the most good uses out of a blade I get is 3-4.
I'd say a 3-4 shave test of various blades, to weed out the obvious "not mine" ones, then longevity tests on the winners. I would think (with no empirical evidence) that on a longevity test there is a tendency to push it, and lower your standards a bit.
For a sample pack, I ran 3 shaves, then another 3 on the same brand. Helps to avoid ruling out a blade as "bad" when it might be an "off" day, or an issue with one specific blade.
I thought longevity is part of the testing. I would be curious about how a blade shaves and for how long. So, when I have a new-to-me blade I use one till it starts tugging. Use several blades before calling.
My problem is I try them in different razors with different product and the variable possiblities grow exponentially. Plus, I got tired of trying to keep track. Obviously, what might work is one blade + one razor + one product, continuously for whatever time period. But who has the patience for that? Oh, by the way, right now I'm testing Lord varieties against each other in 3 different razors. How's that for "systematic"? 
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