Question about DE (per side usage)

zecarioca · Post by **zecarioca** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:29 am

Hi,

I have seen various posts about how many shaves can one get out of a DE razor. While it is individual, the consensus seems to be around a week's worth or so. Is this an estimate of per side usage or per blade (both sides)?

Also, does anyone have a suggestion of how to monitor or ensure that both sides are getting equal usage, to avoid one side being overused, and the other underused?

Thanks,

divotmax · Post by **divotmax** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:34 am

z;

As a matter of habit picked up when I first started using a DE, I rotate the razor 180 degrees after every stroke. That insures both edges get pretty much the same usage. I have done it so long now it is just part of the routine and not a conscious act. Even so, I change blades every 4-5 shaves and don't push the usage. Some guys can get 7+ shaves from a blade, so it depends on the individual. Curiously, I also get about 4-5 shaves from an injector or a SE razor. Go figure.

BobS

jallen013 · Post by **jallen013** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:37 am

i individual tastes vary, but i shave a couple of strokes on one side of the blade, spin the razor and shave a couple of strokes on the other side of the blade then rinse the razor. i figure that this gets me close enough to side equality.

reguarding length or blade usage - i change out my blade every monday morning. the blade might be able to go a touch longer but i see no point in pushing the limits. at this rate a $16.50 box of 100 blades will last me nearly two years.

Gatorade · Post by **Gatorade** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:59 am

I get 5-6 days of shaves out of a blade. I also mse the method above where I stroke a time or two, flip and use the other side then rinse and repeat. Seems to wear the sides pretty evenly.

Joe Lerch · Post by **Joe Lerch** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:08 am

Most people just use both sides of the blade when they shave.

These blades are not expensive, so there's no reason to obsees about it. The simplest thing is to change your blades on schedule. For example, if they last you a week, every Monday. Or if you have a five razor rotation, the first of the month. That let's enjoy the shaving instead of scheduling blade changes.

timc · Post by **timc** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:16 am

Joe Lerch wrote:Most people just use both sides of the blade when they shave.

These blades are not expensive, so there's no reason to obsees about it. The simplest thing is to change your blades on schedule. For example, if they last you a week, every Monday. Or if you have a five razor rotation, the first of the month. That let's enjoy the shaving instead of scheduling blade changes.

Or with a 60 razor rotation, you can change once a year.

Gatorade · Post by **Gatorade** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:17 am

timc wrote:
Joe Lerch wrote:Most people just use both sides of the blade when they shave.

These blades are not expensive, so there's no reason to obsees about it. The simplest thing is to change your blades on schedule. For example, if they last you a week, every Monday. Or if you have a five razor rotation, the first of the month. That let's enjoy the shaving instead of scheduling blade changes.
Or with a 60 razor rotation, you can change once a year.

You catch on quick!

Joe Lerch · Post by **Joe Lerch** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:56 am

Gatorade wrote:
timc wrote:
Joe Lerch wrote:Most people just use both sides of the blade when they shave.

These blades are not expensive, so there's no reason to obsees about it. The simplest thing is to change your blades on schedule. For example, if they last you a week, every Monday. Or if you have a five razor rotation, the first of the month. That let's enjoy the shaving instead of scheduling blade changes.
Or with a 60 razor rotation, you can change once a year.
You catch on quick!

Cute, but there's a point where it doesn't work, because you use the razor so infrequently that the blade rusts or otherwise deteriorates between uses.

rahul325 · Post by **rahul325** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:34 am

divotmax wrote:z;

As a matter of habit picked up when I first started using a DE, I rotate the razor 180 degrees after every stroke.

ditto

Bargepole · Post by **Bargepole** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 5:41 pm

The Splott Method, named after the district of Cardiff where I lived doing my postgrad stuff. (Yes, it exists. "I know: let's call it 'Splott'." The mind boggles.)

It goes like this:

Shave, shave, sha-- SPLOTT, ick [TWIST RAZOR 180°] shave, shave, shave, sh-- SPLOTT, ugh [RINSE RAZOR] shave, shave shav-- SPLOTT etc., da capo al fine.

The complementary blade-changing routine is similar:

Shave, sha-- OW, shave OW, shave shave SPLOTT, ow [TWIST RAZOR] Shave, OW, [THINKS: DAMN CREAM} shave SPLOTT ouch [RINSE] sha-- ouch [THINKS: DAMN WATER] sh-- YIKES

Voice From Space He Say C H A N G E . . . B L A D E , E A R T H . . . F O O L

[CHANGES BLADE].

See how easy it is when you have a system?

JP · Post by JP » Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:50 pm

Aw heck! All you need is a stroke counter built into the handle.

notthesharpest · Post by **notthesharpest** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:30 pm

If you use one side exclusively for x days, and then the other side for x days, you have too much to remember. Just turn after each stroke, and get a new blade when this one seems done.

Higesori · Post by **Higesori** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 2:53 am

notthesharpest wrote:If you use one side exclusively for x days, and then the other side for x days, you have too much to remember. Just turn after each stroke, and get a new blade when this one seems done.

Agree. On top of changing sides, maybe we should flip it upside down every y days or strokes to make sure we have even wear and tear on the blade (and our face) . . . too complicated and bothersome for a relatively cheap item that's supposed to give us relaxation and enjoyment!

Headshave · Post by **Headshave** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:14 pm

Shave one cheek, rotate. Shave other cheek, rinse.
Shave one side of "neck to throat", rotate. Shave other side of "neck to throat", rinse.
Reapply lather, repeat process but going s-n.

Day 4, change blade before beginning.

Tesco blades are £2 for 10. Hardly a bank-breaking routine.

notthesharpest · Post by **notthesharpest** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:15 pm

Higesori wrote:Agree. On top of changing sides, maybe we should flip it upside down every y days or strokes to make sure we have even wear and tear on the blade (and our face) . . . too complicated and bothersome for a relatively cheap item that's supposed to give us relaxation and enjoyment!

An edge doesn't have two sides. That's why they call it "edge".

Flipping the blade upside down has no effect - or if it does, it means your blade was already damaged beyond usefulness.

wernst · Post by **wernst** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 7:26 pm

I guess I am in the minority here about blase-side usage:

I simply pay no attention to it, provided Im using something like a SS where the "front" and "back" sides are impossible to tell apart.

I figure that via random chance I will more-or-less use both sides of the blade over the course of a week. So far, no problems.

Things change when I use an adjustable, which has a definate front and back, thanks to the indicator that points to a number on the adjustment ring. For these razors I have a totally stupid system that suggests I am much more compulsive than I actually am:

If the number on the adjustment ring is odd, then that's the side I use on Odd numbered days. If that number is even, then that's the side I do on Even numbered days.

-Warr