Ten Blades - How long will they last? (Focus with product determining time length)

I was gifted fifteen NOS gillette blades and want to run this drill in the fall.

H/t to @david of central florida !

 

He is our resident brush expert!

 

19 March 2015 Shave



Blade #9 Shave #4​

 

Thanks!

 

20 March 2015



Blade #9 Shave #5​

 

21 March 2015 Shave



Blade #9 Shave #6​

 

22 March 2015

The NOS Erskine lathered like I expected. The handle is wonderfully ergonomic. The preferred method for the 1940s and 1950s was to paint brush lather on, and that is what this one will do. The long hairs and expansive bloom were made for this purpose. It requires a lot of product because it absorbs quite a large amount before the transfer to the skin. Since this is the first time the hairs would be working a lather this was expected. Since this blade is on its last day I knew I would have multiple passes to work with. By the fourth pass on this the hairs had absorbed enough product to transfer a more solid lather. The knot held up well with no shedding from the mixed/best badger hairs. Mild scritch which was also expected given the mix of primarily best with some black badger hair. I will use this brush some more to get a feel for it and allow it to break in.

Blade #9 Shave #7
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Since this blade took 4 passes to give a good shave...

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And the countdown begins...

 

Shave 23 March 2015



In the home stretch now ...

Blade #10 Shave #1​

 

Shave for the twenty fourth day of March 2015

Blade #10 Shave #2​

 

25 March



Blade #10 Shave #3​

 

26 March 2015



Blade #10 Shave #4​

 

27 March 2015 Shave



Blade #10 Shave #5​

 

How many more days?

 

We will both see. Tomorrow is another shave!

 

Later in the year I have to decided to replicate this exercise with my DE's, have a pack of vintage at the ready.

 

The key to this exercise it to observe more than "force" the blades, count, etc. Just let it be an everyday shave until you have a good daily shave. Don't chase the baby and simply keep track.

 

Arko versus Vintage Blades...looking at blade life in various razors. My version of Arko April.

 

28 March 2015 Shave





Blade #10 Shave #6​

 

29 March 2015 Shave



Blade #10 Shave #7
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This ends this saga of the 10 blade pack of 1991 Vintage Czech made Gillette Stainless blades. These are known for their inconsistency and it shown through somewhat in this pack. Some were really smooth while a couple were rough and one was really rough. The total number of shaves was 63 which is 6.3 days per blade. I hope you have enjoyed this 10 blade focus and with that ...

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