Thread: newbie question: How long can I use a DE blade for?

Hi, I just bought a DE safety razor from SRD.
Since the blade (high quality ones) are not really cheap, I was wondering how
many uses I could depend on a DE blade before I toss it away?

My facial hairs are not growing very fast. Once a week close shave could do the trick.

So is there any sign I should be looking for before retiring a DE blade?

Thank you.

This is very individual.
It depends on your whiskers, prep, technique and type of blade.
You will learn to feel when it is time to switch blade.
If it shaves comfortably without discomfort and tugging it is still good for one more round.
I use a DE to shave my head sometimes, and my blades usually lasts for 2-4 shaves.
The blades I use are Feather, Gillette 7o'clock yellow and Israeli personna.

Thank you very much.
I got the idea.

More questions: Should I just stick to one side of the blade until it is dull, and then turn to the other side of the blade?
Or I should use both sides alternatively during each shave?
There is another one: Should I leave the blade in the razor or remove and clean it, then store somewhere else safely?

Warning: Those might be stupid questions due to the similarity with something silly like "should you sleep with your beard above the comforter or below it?"

Nah, nothing stupid with those questions, we all had them starting out!

I find that I have the most control of the wear of the 2 edges, if I quite simply use one side until it fills up with lather, then turn it and fill the other side.
Then I rinse it, and do the same thing all over again.

Since you are only shaving once a week, I would recommend taking the blade out of the razor. I don't do that myself, but I shave my head every day.
If you decide to keep it in the razor, at least make sure you rinse it good in hot water, and try to dry it as much as possible(shake it thoroughly).

Hello, Remingtonmarlin:

I use high quality blades: Feather, Gillette 7 O'Clock "Sharp Edge" (in the yellow packs) and Super Iridium.

Once in a while, I also use Persona "Red Packs," Derby, Dorco 301 and Astra. These are two or three tiers down in quality and sharpness — for me, anyway.

My beard is heavy; therefore, as a rule, I change blades after three shaves. With my beard, the quality of the blade degrades after the third shave. The lower grade blades I change every two shaves, and sometimes every one.

When shaving, use both sides of the blade. I generally shave in short strokes in this pattern: two strokes, flip the razor, two strokes, flip the razor, and then rinse the shave head.

Regards,

Obie

Just a data point, I flip the razor over when I switch the blade from one side of my face to the other.

I never worry about switching sides of the razor. It's too hard to keep track.

I usually get around 3 shaves per blade. Now I'm using Wilkinson German Blades. They are OK.

I use a simple rule:

. . . If I have to press on the razor, it's time for a new blade.

I use Feathers; other blades may work differently, and other people may have different rules.

Charles

Thank you all for sharing those great tips. I think I have the idea now.

I am looking forward to improve my quality of life with the straight and DE shaves following those wonderful routines offered from members and the famous Wiki.

A guy i work with claims to get 2-3 weeks of daily shaving out of most blades - I dont know how he does it - I used to never go past a week and his rows in a lot thicker than mine too.. its really all about personal preference.