I am currently using Shark Blades and while there is no doubt they are sharp their longevity is suspect. What is a good test you use that would confirm it's time for a blade change? I had my best shave this morning with a new Shark Blade. I am new at D/E Shaving but there were no nicks, cuts and road rash on my neck was kept to a minimum. It did take a number of passes to get BBS but nonetheless it was achieved. I have a sinking feeling that if I don’t changed the (one term) blade tomorrow morning I will have a rough go at it and my face will reflect.
I think I saw a thread with a poll on this subject a couple months back. Seemed like the average was 3-5 shaves. But the truth is that there is no right or wrong answer. Change 'em out when you feel like you aren't getting the best shave that you can get.
in the bottom of the 7th...... just kidding when it no longer cuts. average blade life for me and my whiskers is 3-4, depending on blade, how many passes, and whether I have my beard grown out or not. a few blades get more, some runt blades only get 1, a couple of divinely inspired blades got me 7-9 shaves. there is no hard and fast rule except what you make that works for you. if the blade is tugging and no longer slicing smoothly, toss it. some people change their blade every Sunday night, whether it needs it or not. Some go 3 shaves and that's it. Some people push it until it no longer cuts. I would like to offer the suggestion that you not try for BBS while just starting out, and instead focus on technique and consistency, blade angle and no pressure. again, not a hard and fast rule, but just a suggestion. the only thing you can do to determine a blade's life cycle is to pay attention to the shave. different blades will perform differently for you, and will perform differently in different razors. but as you gain experience, you'll start to know what combos work for you, and how long to expect a blade to last. keep it up, congrats the good shave! by the way, I do like the Shark blades, but they are a 3-4 shave blade for me
+1 Some blades last longer than others and it isn't the same for everybody. Some people claim Derby blades last a long time, but they're one and done for me. The only blades that last more than 4 shaves for me are the most expensive and not my favorite shavers. So for me I toss blades after shave 4. Remember how cheap DE blades are (with a few exceptions) and it's not such a big deal to toss them after a few shaves.
I've been experimenting a bit with sharks, myself. They feel a bit like a cross between feather and astras to me. They are in-between the two in sharpness and smoothness, but feel like they dull quickly like a feather. If that makes it sound like sharks are a bad mix of two blade's traits, I find them to be, but astras and feathers are two of my favorite blades, so I still consider sharks solidly above average. feathers and sharks are about 2 shaves for me, astras more like 3-4.
I say chuck it after 1 shave. No matter what blade it is.... Why not. I mean they are like 20 cents a blade. Is you face worth 20 cents a day? If not, surely at least 10 cents a day, if you throw out your blade every 2 days. If I was a 6 figure Salary man heck I'd use a new blade for each pass... well that might be a bit excessive. But I bet it's still cheaper then using Mach III's or Mach MCXII's or whatever number Gillette has gotten up to now. I imagine using a new blade every day cuts down on bacteria too, which is a cause of razor burn. C. S. Budzi
Once a week, which is about 5 to 6 shaves. Every day might be possible moneywise, but having to change them every day seems a hassle too doesn't it?
I tried using a dice to keep track of usage, but then finally realized that different blades were just that, different, so why keep score on an item that inexpensive? So I have graduated to the school of change it when it starts to drag or skip, which from my counting days was varied blade to blade. Change when it no longer does the job
Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (Yellows) DE - 14 shaves Ted Pella PTFE coated SE - 7 shaves I do hand strop the blade after each shave which I believe helps give the blade a longer life.
Same here. I agree. I put in a fresh blade every Monday morning. Hand stropping gets me smooth shaves throughout the week. Could I go a few extra days? Maybe. Just easier to remember to change out the blade every Monday.
I agree with the once per day...almost. I use one EDGE per day. Two shaves, one on each edge, and out it goes. If I wait for a rough shave before I toss it, I have red marks for a month. That's just the way my skin is. Not worth the risk. Blades are cheap. And this method frees me from an added search parameter: longevity is irrelevant.
Don't want to get into all the blades names, but a few i have stop after only 1 shave. Keep trying different ones. Still trying after 16 months. Started with a DE over 45 years ago.
Agreed I find Merkurs are brutal and last 2 -3 whereas Astra, Derby and Feather can last as many as 5. Get a sample pack and keep a log (yeah I am a compulsive planner ) you will find your perfect mix of shave comfort and longevity.
+1. except for Derby. I pay .10 for the red personnas and around .20 for Derbies, delivered. Considering I use to get 3-4 single pass shaves from a cartridge, I could use a new blade each day and be still be way ahead cost wise and end up with a superior, more comfortable shave. I usually replace my blade after 3-4 shaves.
Funny change it every pass :happy102, that made me laugh. I usually change mine every 3 to 4 shaves. by the way I use Iridiums, those blades don't give me any razor burn.
