Whether you shave with the double edge razor blade in your safety razor or the modern high-tech multi-blade cartridges from Gillette, Wilkinson or Raz*War at some point they become dull. After days or weeks of loyal shaving service, you throw the razor blade in the trash. But when should you stop using the blade?
Why do razor blades become dull?
The edge of each blade is super sharp, paper-thin, and therefore also vulnerable. Every shave is an assault on the blade. The blade has to cut through very hard beard stubble. Additionally, a lot of dirt, soap residue, and lime stick to the paper-thin metal. This makes it duller and duller after each shave. When the blade is no longer sharp depends on the following factors:
- the quality or hardness of the metal alloy and coatings;
- how often the blade is used;
- the hardness of the water;
- the hardness of the beard hairs;
- whether or not shaving foam or shaving soap is used.
In the case of multi-blade razors, you see that a lot of debris accumulates between the blades. It becomes increasingly difficult to clean this.
When should you stop using the razor blade?
At first, the blade effortlessly slices through the beard hair. Lightly scraping, it glides smoothly over the skin. As long as you have protected your skin well with shaving foam, you feel absolutely nothing. You only need to shave over the same area a few times for a smooth shaving result. How often you need to shave back and forth depends, of course, on the type of beard. The blade shaves your skin smoothly and comfortably.
What we often see with our customers is that they use the same blade too often. Especially in the case of expensive Gillette cartridge blades, people continue to shave for too long against better judgment. Shaving becomes a daily morning torture at some point. Not pleasant and unnecessary. After a few shaves, you feel that the blade is not cutting but is pulling at the beard hairs instead. This does not feel pleasant around the sideburns and neck area. You also have to shave back and forth more often and push harder for a smooth shaving result. There is also a greater chance of shaving cuts and shaving irritations, such as a dry burning sensation and red spots.
But when should you stop? According to Gillette, you can shave for a month with the same blade. Unfortunately, they don't mention how often. Our experience is that you can use a multi-blade razor about 8 times on average. After that, shaving becomes less pleasant. We regularly speak to customers who say they throw away the Gillette or Wilkinson blade after just 3 shaves. There are also men who indicate that they can easily shave for a whole month with one blade. Depending on the quality of the double edge razors, you can shave well 2 to 7 times. The most economical blades last for 2 shaves. The expensive and qualitatively better blades only become dull after 7 shaves.
A long time ago, I kept track of how many times you can shave well with a double edge blade. The list below of different brands is of course my personal experience:
- Timor: 3
- Dovo Merkur: 5
- Mühle: 5
- Personna: 6
- Feather: 8
What should you do to keep shaving as long as possible with a razor blade
The question is, of course, how can you keep shaving comfortably and smoothly with one blade for as long as possible? Here are some tips:
- only use sharp blades;
- take a shower first and then shave;
- use a pre-shave before shaving;
- wet your face well with lukewarm water before shaving;
- apply and lather a good shaving soap or cream on the skin with warm water and a shaving brush for at least 1 minute;
- rinse the razor well during use;
- after use, rinse the blade thoroughly and dry it with a towel;
- hang the razor in a holder;
- protect the blade with a plastic cover.
With the help of the Razorpit (a Danish invention by clever commercial guys), you can maintain the sharpness of the multi-blade cartridge blade longer. After each shave, you wipe the blade over the rubber of the Razorpit. This cleans the edge and keeps the blade sharp longer. You can compare it to polishing a straight razor on the leather of a strop.
You can also rub the blade back and forth a few times over your palm after use. Be careful to wipe away from yourself. Otherwise, the sharp blade may 'bite' into your skin.
Shaving tip
How do you keep track of how many times you've shaved with one blade? Use a regular die (I didn't come up with this trick myself, but it comes from a very valued customer of ours) to keep track of how many times you've used the blade. After, for example, #3 or #6, you replace the blade. Or set a fixed day for changing the blade, such as Monday or the 1st of the month.
