When to change blade?

[ShavedFrank]

So I'm 3 wet shaves in and I am liking wet shaving as a whole. I am rolling into my 4th shave and was curious how many shaves you guys typically do per blade before retiring a blade? Is 4-5 shaves per blade a common number, or less?

What are the signs of a dull blade other than the obvious? I take it the blade won't cut well, and will pull or feel like it is dragging. Would a dull blade also give an irritated shave?

I've read some guys swap after each shave since the blade are so cheap, but if they will last 2/3/4 or more why not stretch at least a few shaves.

Any tips on when to swap a blade (How many shaves on average), and some signs its time to swap will be helpful.

 

[Cacique]

I think this one is a YMMV, but the norm I've noticed is 2-4 shaves per blade. That is what I've gotten out of my shaves with Astra, I get to 3 shaves and toss it as that's when they seem to start going rough. When I first shaved with a feather, it only lasted 2 shaves, the 2nd one being a bit rough. I got nicked more often and it pulled on my stubble.

Once I improved my technique, everything changed. Astras stopped feeling as smooth, so I decided to try a feather and I just did a 4th shaved today after skipping a day, and it still felt really smooth. I saw whenever you feel it start to tug or scrape, change it. Otherwise, keep going with it for as long as you'd like.

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

About three or four shaves with a Feather, doing a three-pass shave, is typical for me. I change as soon as there's any hint of roughness, and perhaps I could make the blades last a little longer -- but even Feathers are so cheap it doesn't seem worth doing. Some people clean off the blade edges with a couple of strokes on a piece of denim, which is supposed to make them last longer, but I haven't tried this yet.

 

[razorhead63]

This is all really up to the individual shaver. Two choices really: you can use your blades for a fixed number of shaves then toss them, or you can push a blade to the limit and toss it when your shave quality start diminishing...... once you find out how many good shaves you can expect from a certain brand of blade, then you will know when to change it.
I personally take my blades to the limit even when it takes a little bit longer to finish a shave... I have enough experience now with the DE, to get good shaves even when the blade has lost much of its sharpness and bite.... I know when a blade is totally finished....... so I push them for as long as I can .... that's just me though, everybody is different on this matter...
Hope this helps you a little bit!!

John H.

 

[Big Jim]

This will vary from face to face and from blade to blade. How well you prep is also a factor.

Just continue on and you will learn soon enough.

 

[k200817]

As others have mentioned, this is really a YMMV thing. For me it's usually 3 shaves before I change the blade. I am sure I can squeeze 1 or 2 more shaves from the same blade but they wont be as smooth or comfortable as the first 3 shaves.

 

[Greglam]

I put in a fresh blade on Sunday and Wednesday, +/- 1 day regardless (more or less) of the # of shaves on the blade.

-Greg

 

[Atalk]

I go by feel regardless of brand or how many previous shaves the blade has got under the belt. If I feel some tugging then the blade gets banked after the shave. The tugging may occur after the first shave, second shave, 10th shave, etc.

With that said, you will develop and start to remember an "expected life" for each of your blade brands. For me - Feathers are good for 2-3 shaves, Astras last 3-4, Polsiver SI last 4-5, etc. These are very fluid guidelines for me as I refer you back to my first paragraph...I'll keep using a blade as long as it feel good

 

[Toltepeceno]

I go by feel, not count, if I'm still getting a comfortable shave. It all depends on the blades, type of beard, etc. so everyone is different.

Yes, when the blade gets dull my face gets irritated. The first time, after several shaves normally, i have a shave where it's not as smooth I toss it as there's a good chance the next one will irritate my face.

 

[Niles]

You are correct that the correct time to change a blade is when you feel pulling and/or dragging. On average, I get 3-4 shaves per blade.

 

[Mr_Smartepants]

How long is a piece of string? Easy, it's exactly twice as long as half a piece of string!
Your face will tell you when it's time to change the blade.
My first time using an Astra SP blade I went 5 shaves before it deteriorated. The next Astra SP blade from the same pack only lasted 2 shaves (I should have thrown it out after the first one).
YMMV.
Keep a shave diary (I have an excel spreadsheet) and that should help you determine the average number of shaves to expect from the different blades you try.

 

[Mick]

It becomes pretty obvious when a blade is past its use time. does not matter if it is mid shave (which for me is the norm).

Just stop, unwrap a fresh blade, and keep shaving.

 

[AirForceMX]

Two and out. No guessing for me! I have a VERY coarse beard however.

 

[ShavedFrank]

Great feedback everyone! I'm up to 3 shaves and the 4th is coming. My last shave was a bit irritating compared to shave #1 and #2, but I think it was my lather vs the blade. So I might start out with the same blade and if the shave isn't going well i'll swap the blade and see if it improves at all. I know my newbie hand is mostly to blame

 

[julian0808]

With Gilette yellows I get 4 shaves. This is non negotiable and I stick to this religiously .

 

[gasdoc]

I only shave every 2 days and I generally swap between a couple razors. I will usually change blades once a week which is about 2-3 shaves per blade on average. I have way more things to worry about than a 0.15$ razor blade.

 

[CUSE69]

I'm evaluating 7 brands and have decided to toss the blade after 3 shaves. With relatively low prices the cost per shave for blades is almost insignificant compared with the preshave, cream/soap and AS.

 

[Pedro Navaja]

Varies. Usually when you feel the pull, or it leaves your face irritated. For me that is two shaves.

 

[mhdena]

I like the BBS for 12 to 15 hours, if I feel growth in 8 hours that blade gets retired.

3 4 5 shaves depending on the blade

I would never push a blade to the point it is unusable mid shave

 

[Chesterfield]

3-4 shaves is the average lifespan I get out of a blade. Why bother with irritation & pulling when blades are so inexpensive?