Page 1 of 2

Blade longevity?

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 12:17 pm
by mustang_john
Hi guys,

Just a quick one this!

Over this last few months, I have noticed that my Gillette 7 O'clock blades seem to be lasting a lot longer than they did. I used to be lucky to get three shave per blade, but now seven or eight is not uncommon. The record being twelve shaves.
I suspect this is all down to my getting better at shaving over time?

Thoughts anyone?

John.


Oops, just discovered an almost identical thread in the blades section, DUH! Sorry guys.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 12:39 pm
by ShadowsDad
That's what I would suspect. Lather is the lubricant; is your lather better?

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 4:20 pm
by CMur12
Beard-prep and how much you soften the beard before taking the blade to it will also make a difference.

- Murray

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 5:25 pm
by Squire
Practice makes perfect.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 3:25 am
by mustang_john
Hmmm, probably is the lather, its texture is much more consistent these days.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 2:30 pm
by brothers
John, you're getting better at it.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2015 4:29 am
by Brutus
Straight shavers often discover that with improving proficiency the edge of their straight razor will tend to last longer before the razor needs to be honed again.

Although I have been shaving with safety razors for too long to remember my own progress back then, I am not surprised that the same observation should apply to safety razors too.


B.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:11 am
by Julius_Rodman
I believe it's random, and also depends on my preferences at the time.

Sometimes a blade starts out great and I know I can get 15 days off it if I want to. Others emit a harbinger on the first pass.

And the shaves past day 7 are different for me, I don't mind the duller blade allowing me to grind in a little more than with a brand new Feather.

It never gets to be a routine.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 2:16 pm
by Data
Your blade angle might have become more shallow with experience and that would be easier on the edge.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 2:40 pm
by CMur12
Data, I see that this is your second post and that you have just joined us. Welcome to our little community!

- Murray

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 4:45 pm
by Squire
Yes Data, welcome aboard.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 5:24 pm
by brothers
Data wrote:Your blade angle might have become shallower with experience and that would be easier on the edge.
Good point Data. Muscle memory and technique.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 2:02 pm
by jww
Squire wrote:Practice makes perfect.
I keep coming back to this one piece of advise, and then Squire beats me to it ...... :lol:

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 4:19 pm
by Barry

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 8:40 pm
by Squire
Good one Barry.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 12:34 am
by Karl
5 shaves. Astra, Feather, or GEM blades. If I flip the blade over on the 4th use I can sneak 6 shaves out of a blade.

My shaving technique has greatly extended the life of my modern razor blades like the one I still carry in my travel bag.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2017 4:14 pm
by brothers
Karl wrote:5 shaves. Astra, Feather, or GEM blades. If I flip the blade over on the 4th use I can sneak 6 shaves out of a blade.

My shaving technique has greatly extended the life of my modern razor blades like the one I still carry in my travel bag.
Karl, that's surprising. That's something I have never paid attention to. Thanks for the tip.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 2:55 am
by anomaly1985
I get 20 shaves for all my blades. Perhaps more.

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 11:10 am
by CMur12
anomaly1985 wrote:I get 20 shaves for all my blades. Perhaps more.
That's a lot of shaves from a DE blade, anomaly1985. Do you do anything special to prolong blade life?

Do you do single-pass shaves? Do you have a light beard? Other factors?

- Murray

Re: Blade longevity?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 5:03 am
by fallingwickets
I dont think I have ever tried for a PR shaving record :D Way back when, it was a usual habit to start the week with a fresh blade and being a rather susceptible fellow I followed suit :D Anyway, 20 sounds like a lot of shaves for one blade. I use a fusion to shave my head, and even that barely makes it past 20 shaves

clive