How many shaves per blade?

New to the forums.
Have been using DE's for a little while. I usually shave every other or every third day, shaving both face and head. Approximately how many shaves should I get before using a new blade?

Second question. Does it make a difference which way the blade goes in. Is there a top and bottom and can you flip it over to get more uses. Sorry if this has been asked before.

Thanks

 

The blade can go any way that it will fit. Flipping won't realistically make it last longer. As for how long it last that's up to you and your hair. I face shave and can get 7 days but my beard is moderately heavy and I don't force the blade to shave. You might get 3-30 shaves but you won't know till you begin experimenting and see how much you want to push it or how much pulling and tugging you want to deal with. If I might suggest you buy a 100 pack of Astra SP blades off amazon for $12 and at first replace them once a week. That should last you 1-3 years depending on your final number. Most people like Astra SP blades.


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But not all...
My suggestion would be a sampler pack. I wouldn't by 100 of an unknown commodity.

 

Welcome @Blah !
No easy answer to your question. Some folks are "One and Done". Others have gotten 30 days or more. The best I can say is it's up to you. If the blade seems to be tugging, you are passed time to install a new one.
What razor and blade are you using?

 

The number of shaves out of a blade will vary widely from one individual to the next. Variables are skin type and sensitivity, coarseness of the whiskers, brand of blade, razor type, etc. If you're head shaving, then you're covering a lot more territory than me as I'm only shaving my face. I shave every day and have a medium coarse beard. I might get 5 shaves out of a Gillette SB, but only 3 shaves from a Personna lab blue. Someone else might have to toss these blades after 2 shaves, yet somebody else could get 10 shaves out of them.

So, the answer is... Your Mileage May Vary!

 

There is no up or down side on DE blades and flipping them does not increase blade life. With that said, I flip mine after each use. Go figure!

 

Just in case!

 

Roby, you're correct! That is just why I do it! What if, just what if, one day modern science proves that flipping your DE blade after every use makes you live to 179 years old?

 

I did that with a GSB a few days ago when I did a rare two days in a row DE razor shave....it didn't work!

 

2 with a Shark, 3-4 with Astra or Polsilver

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Here mine

DE Blades (#? of shaves max.):-

Gillette Silver Blue = (Fatip #6), (R41 v2013 #4), (RazoRock Mission #4)

Personna Lab Blue = (Fatip #5), (R41 v2013 #3), (DE89 & R89 #4), (RazoRock Mission #4)

Perma-Sharp Super = (Fatip #6), (R41 v2013 #4), (DE89 & R89 #5), (RazoRock Mission #5)

Polsilver Super Iridium = (Fatip #8), (R41 v2013 #4), (DE89 & R89 #4), (RazoRock Mission #5)

Vintage Polsilver Stainless = (R41 v2013 #4)

Voskhod = (R41 v2013 #3), (DE89 & R89 #4), (RazoRock Mission #4)

 

Best answer Jim99............ Hey Rob. Mike

 

I agree with everything above except I would suggest going to tryablade.com and getting a blade sampler. Get a 10-20 blade sampler, then get to work. See what you like before committing to a lot of a single type of blade .

 

for me:
Gillette Platinum Plus-8
Astra's-3
Feathers and pretty much every other blade I have used-2-3

 

When I use my Weber DE Razor I use Wilkinson Sword DE/SS I get 3 shaves out of each blade I use. I do not turn them over. I do take the blade out and clean it. Then I wipe it down with Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol). I find that I seem to get nicked or cut with any blade I have used more than 3 times. (go figure)

 

Truth!

 

First, welcome. You are really asking the wrong crowd. As you can see already, you are getting a range of answers to how many shaves per blade. You really need to ask your face. Your face will tell you when the blade starts to tug and pull, it's time to retire the blade. It may be after one shave, it may be after 21. It's your face.

 

I am using a Merkur 23C with Gillette blades that came in a blue and white box. Not sure of the model number.

 

I'm a Vintage User for the most part. Love me some old Gillette DE's. Someone with experience using new razors will be along to guide and assist you shortly. I hope!

 

I generally change blades every other Saturday. I would say I get about 12 shaves on average, but could probably go much longer.