Blade longevity?

[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.

[ShadowsDad]

That's what I would suspect. Lather is the lubricant; is your lather better?

[CMur12]

Beard-prep and how much you soften the beard before taking the blade to it will also make a difference.

- Murray

[Squire]

Practice makes perfect.

[mustang_john]

Hmmm, probably is the lather, its texture is much more consistent these days.

[brothers]

John, you're getting better at it.

[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.

[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.

[Data]

Your blade angle might have become more shallow with experience and that would be easier on the edge.

[CMur12]

Data, I see that this is your second post and that you have just joined us. Welcome to our little community!

- Murray

[Squire]

Yes Data, welcome aboard.

[brothers]

Your blade angle might have become shallower with experience and that would be easier on the edge.

Good point Data. Muscle memory and technique.

[jww]

Practice makes perfect.

I keep coming back to this one piece of advise, and then Squire beats me to it ......

[Barry]

[Squire]

Good one Barry.

[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.

[brothers]

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.

[anomaly1985]

I get 20 shaves for all my blades. Perhaps more.

[CMur12]

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

[fallingwickets]

I dont think I have ever tried for a PR shaving record 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 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