woodpusher
TSC’s International Man of Meh
"So far so good" for me. The last time I used a Feather, I went a week, so no surprise to me that it is doing well. We'll see how it fares by the end of week #2.
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4th Annual February "One Blade" Challenge!
- Thread starter Spider
- Start date
Nope. Usually get 2-3 weeks off of a single blade without even thinking about it.
Do you find that changing up your blade gives you more pleasure in your shaves? I don’t even think about the blade while I’m shaving.
ICETEE
Jr. Shave Member
Sometimes, when I change blades and do not get a great shave,it makes me look at my technique but after a day or two the blade gets better I know my technique is OK. Hope that makes sense.
I was just curious how you were getting bored with keeping the same blade in it, if it's still giving you good shaves?
woodpusher
TSC’s International Man of Meh
My blade (Feather, 9 shaves) is still going well, but isn't as good on my swirly neck growth as it was a week ago.
I'll add, that one thing I really think helps blade longevity is using a slick soap. I think it helps reduce drag and therefore reduces wear and tear on the edge of the Blade. I always think about this because One Blade February coincides with the Williams 3017, and I think the slickness of the Williams really helps the blade get off to a good start!
@dkeester @Fightingillini22 @EMG06 @b1hart @Quijote @ICETEE @SteveChuckFrank @LW12 @woodpusher
Out of curiosity gents.....
1. When do you normally change out a blade? After a set number of shaves, after you notice tugging/pulling, after you feel roughness during a shave, or something else?
2. How many shaves, on average do you get out of your go-to blades?
3. What's your record, for the longest you've used one single blade?
Out of curiosity gents.....
1. When do you normally change out a blade? After a set number of shaves, after you notice tugging/pulling, after you feel roughness during a shave, or something else?
2. How many shaves, on average do you get out of your go-to blades?
3. What's your record, for the longest you've used one single blade?
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
1. When do you normally change out a blade? After a set number of shaves, after you notice tugging/pulling, after you feel roughness during a shave, or something else?
Usually when I get bored of the same set up. I can typically go about a month with the same blade without thinking about it as long it isn't a dud. Sometimes I'll leave the blade in the razor when changing out razors if it's only been used a few times.
2. How many shaves, on average do you get out of your go-to blades?
I don't typically keep track, but the couple of blades that I consider my "go-to's" will easily last a few weeks at least.
3. What's your record, for the longest you've used one single blade?
I'd have to go back to the last couple of One Blade Challenges and look, but I've definitely gone past 30 days.
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
Realized I haven't updated. Currently at 5 shaves on the Personna Platinum loaded in the Ball End Tech. I've never had luck with these blades in the past but I think I've found the razor to pair them with. So far I'm very impressed. My shaves have been intermittent recently, but I'll likely take this well past February to see how far I can stretch it.
Fightingillini22
Master TSC Shave Member
1. My normal Lab Blue change schedule is 5 shaves and bin. Not that it couldn't go longer, but with how cheap blades are and how many I have, I've found it works for me. If a certain blade isn't performing "normally" on shave 2 or 3 I'll bin it, but never after a rough first shave as I've found the first shave isn't always indicative of how it will perform 2-5.
2 - See above, 5 shaves per Lab Blue and then the bin.
3 - 130 shaves on the Lab Blue from last February. Talk about some crazy longevity. Does it mean I could easily stretch my Lab Blue schedule from 5 shave to 10, 15, 20? Probably. But don't really feel the need and not having to really think about blade performance and just knowing the blade will perform each and every shave is reason enough for me to keep it to 5. Also will help me get through the massive amount of tucks I have!
1. When do you normally change out a blade? After a set number of shaves, after you notice tugging/pulling, after you feel roughness during a shave, or something else?
I usually wait until I get a couple of shaves in a row where it doesn't get BBS on the mustache at the corner of the mouth. That is the first sign that it is not as sharp as necessary. I do two in a row because 1 could just be me, 2 is more likely the blade.
2. How many shaves, on average do you get out of your go-to blades?
I don't really count. But I think around 10-15 on DE, 30+ on GEM.
3. What's your record, for the longest you've used one single blade?
Roughly 45 on a Personna PTFE GEM.
1. When do you normally change out a blade? After a set number of shaves, after you notice tugging/pulling, after you feel roughness during a shave, or something else?
For me, it's based on the closeness and quality of the shave. I don't think I've ever experienced what people describe as tugging or pulling. If it's a rough shave, I will definitely give it another try, as Quijote mentioned, to see if it's me or the blade. But most often what tells me I need a new blade is the closeness of the shave. I know what my face feels like at the end of the day on a good shave. Now, if I have that same feel and same amount of stubble at mid-day, that tells me that tomorrow I need a new blade.
2. How many shaves, on average do you get out of your go-to blades?
I rarely keep track, but I know it's in the 30-60 day range for most blades. A month is pretty much my standard.
3. What's your record, for the longest you've used one single blade?
131 shaves on a Feather. Feather's are my longest lived blade so far. I've gotten over 100 shaves on a single Feather, 3 or 4 times.
For me, it's based on the closeness and quality of the shave. I don't think I've ever experienced what people describe as tugging or pulling. If it's a rough shave, I will definitely give it another try, as Quijote mentioned, to see if it's me or the blade. But most often what tells me I need a new blade is the closeness of the shave. I know what my face feels like at the end of the day on a good shave. Now, if I have that same feel and same amount of stubble at mid-day, that tells me that tomorrow I need a new blade.
2. How many shaves, on average do you get out of your go-to blades?
I rarely keep track, but I know it's in the 30-60 day range for most blades. A month is pretty much my standard.
3. What's your record, for the longest you've used one single blade?
131 shaves on a Feather. Feather's are my longest lived blade so far. I've gotten over 100 shaves on a single Feather, 3 or 4 times.
dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
I usually just change blades after a handful of shaves. I don't wait for it to degrade too much. I have enough blades to last me for years, so I don't worry about getting the maximum life out of one.
As many as I want to... I don't keep track.
I think I have only ever gone 34 days on a blade.
I guess most often it is habit after a set number of days. Unexpected nicks that I can’t blame on inattention will get a blade binned faster than my normal stretch of time.
The German Wilkinson Sword blades typically last me 14-21 shaves (2-3 weeks of daily shaves)
Last year I stretched a German Wilkinson Sword out to 113 (February- end of May).
ICETEE
Jr. Shave Member
I like having to watch my shave,making sure I have the right angle with razor, when it is as good as this,right soap,MDC, perfect shave. I just like a challenge.
ICETEE
Jr. Shave Member
I change the blade when I feel a tug or a drag.
So far with P-30=15, DE=8.Gem =16
Record 27 with a nercat
This time I will give blade a chance,even with drag or tug,I will give another one or two shaves, just in case it is my mistake.
dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
So, shave #12 today on the Treet Black.
It was so, so good. The blade was almost like new this morning. Last night I gave it a workout on a vintage bakelite DE 2-in-1 blade hone and stropper. The honing side is a little more rough than the stropping side. It did improve the blade, but using the inside of a drinking glass works just about as well.
Carbon Steel blades are definitely the way to go when trying to maximize the number of shaves because there are plenty of vintage DE hones and stroppers on eBay to keep the edge going. Also, glass honing using a bit of rubbing alcohol and the inside of a round drinking glass works to keep the blade sharp also.
One of these days I need to disassemble and refurbish my Kriss Kross Stropper so that I can give it a try for blade maintenance.
Many of these vintage honing/stropping devices were made either during wars or during the Great Depression so that people could save money and/or metal by getting more life out of a blade. The cool thing is that they actually work to prolong the life of a blade. The downside is that they do not work with modern stainless blades. They only work with carbon steel blades.
It was so, so good. The blade was almost like new this morning. Last night I gave it a workout on a vintage bakelite DE 2-in-1 blade hone and stropper. The honing side is a little more rough than the stropping side. It did improve the blade, but using the inside of a drinking glass works just about as well.
Carbon Steel blades are definitely the way to go when trying to maximize the number of shaves because there are plenty of vintage DE hones and stroppers on eBay to keep the edge going. Also, glass honing using a bit of rubbing alcohol and the inside of a round drinking glass works to keep the blade sharp also.
One of these days I need to disassemble and refurbish my Kriss Kross Stropper so that I can give it a try for blade maintenance.
Many of these vintage honing/stropping devices were made either during wars or during the Great Depression so that people could save money and/or metal by getting more life out of a blade. The cool thing is that they actually work to prolong the life of a blade. The downside is that they do not work with modern stainless blades. They only work with carbon steel blades.
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LW12
Shave Member
1. I usually change a blade when I get and tugging because at that point it’s just uncomfortabl.
2. With the Rapira blade I’m using for this one blade event I usually get at least 10 shaves. I’m 57 with a very tough beard so that’s pretty good.
3. My record is 27 shaves out of a Gillette Spoiler blade.