I’m a Male who doesn’t have a thick beard or much facial hair. At best, I get a small stubble on my cheeks, where my moustache can grow a bit more. I can easily shave my cheeks without any cream or prep, moustache I’d generally have to soften up the hairs for a good shave.
Generally, I use the razor for a few “shaves” which can last a few weeks. Since there isn’t much hair, it doesn’t dull as easily. I’ll change it out after I feel its getting slightly dull or when I realize that it’s been a while since I last changed it.
Curious as to what others do or if there are things I’m potentially overlooking (e.g. hygienic reasons to change more frequently).
Also - I recently switched to a single blade, straight razor.
A single razor blade for a safety razor costs like 20 cents, I see no reason why not change it for every shave.
Switching from that disposable expensive trash to a simple safety razor has been one of the best things I’ve done in my life. The blades are super cheap and really sharp, and using the shaving brush with a shaving soap also saves a lot of money compared to the overpriced shaving cream, while also smelling and feeling way better.
So, I really recommend getting a kit from something like https://maggardrazors.com/collections/kits . Their blade has lasted me for a few years by now, and it’s so much better. Cheaper, cleaner and way closer shave than I was ever able to do with disposables.
Seems wasteful.
Agreed. A feather lasts me one week
I’m a very hairy dude with a thick, thick beard. I use a new blade every other shave. Recommend using a safety razor, it’s much cheaper and better
I’ve got a disposable single blade bic I’ve been using for two years now.
I relate to this
It works just fine. Without the multiple blades spaced just right to fill with hair, it gets the job done. I avoid the brand new ones because I always end up with multiple bleeding nicks with a new blade.
Same though I’ve got a mach 3 or something like that. I don’t use it on my face though, but sometimes when I shower, I make 4 swipes with it. I think I have a 3 pack of disposable blades in a closet and expect these to last me at least a decade.
There’s also the denim trick where you run a blade backwards along your jeans and it will sharpen it.
I’m the same as you, my beard hairs are long and fluffy….my razors last weeks. Months even. My main problem is my hairs clog up the razor, so I’m thinking of getting a straight blade razor.
Highly recommend a double edged safety razor over straight razor. Straight razors are awesome but really require a much more difficult technique to properly stretch the skin and the angles are tough.
A good DE with some Feather blades is most premium. You can get great Gillette SuperSpeeds from 60+ years ago for cheap online and they’re still are better than most of today’s shading products.
But shaving improvement #1 is a good brush and cream.
Nice mention of Feather. Excellent. I find them more effective but less forgiving than Astra. A superior tool for someone with experience. I always recommend Astra for a beginners first pack and Feather after the first month or 2.
This is the way
Cheers mate, I’ll look into this instead.
I’ve used the same double edged safety razor for months thanks to stropping. After each shave I disassemble my razor, dry everything off, then carefully strop the blade along my forearm. It’s the same concept as barbers sharpening blades using leather. I’ve heard denim can be another option.
I got about a month on a disposable safety razor, but I don’t have much to shave.
Safety razor user; I change every one to two shaves. If I start on that second use and it’s too rough for the shave I’ve got in mind (mostly a problem for my neck) then I’ll toss it.
I use a double edge safety razor with feather blades, I shave my head but not my beard except for a little cleanup on the cheeks and such.
On average I shave about twice a week, and usually get about 2 weeks out of a blade, so about 4 shaves. I could probably squeeze another 1 or 2 out of them if I needed to, but I usually feel like they’re starting to get a bit dull by that point.
Same setup, a bit more shaves - I’d say 6 on average
There’s more of us than I thought lol. I use Astra blades though. I change mine out every two or three shaves.
I get 3-4 out of feather, and about 5-6 out of my Shark Chrome.
double edge safety razor with feather blades
This is the way to do it. Before I grew my beard I shaved every day, maybe skipping a weekend day (I have a moderate, but not heavy beard). A Feather blade lasted me about three shaves comfortably, but I could make it go five if I were traveling for a week. Three was optimal.
Now I only trim my cheeks and the “neckbeard” area below my real beard every two or thee days, and the same Feather lasts about three weeks I’d say? Maybe four?
No matter what, ditch the cartridges! They were literally invented as a scam; they are worse for your skin; and they are far easier to operate than people make it out to be.
I made the switch to a safety razor 3 years ago. The blades cost me 8 cents a piece and I replace them after ~ 4 shaves. I would probably do this sooner but I maintain a beard and only use it to clean up the neck. I would never go back. The disposable razors seem terrible and a waste of money now.
Haven’t found a good Lemmy community or kbin magazine for it yet, but reddit had a great community for traditional wet shaving.
Straight razor, or safety razor or a shavette if you wanted some convenience and utility are miles ahead of any multi-blade system.
I switched to double edge shaving 4 years or so ago and began with changing the blade once a week. I shave on work days and have a fairly decent amount of it to work on. Slowly, i began to experiment and going longer on each blade. Sometime in between I learned about palm stropping, experimented and felt that it helps.
Currently, I’m using Indian Wilkinson Sword Saloon pack of 50+5 blades that costs around INR 120 (USD 1.5) and each blade lasts me a month. Obviously the blade is not as sharp as I begin with and it tugs a little but since it has never given me razor burns or cuts, i think I’m doing fine. I’m not doing it to be frugal or anything but it is nice to see how far such a cheap change can go.
Next, i want to create a homemade version of shaving cream/gel/oil. I came across a wonderful product in a tube that feels oily but has a bit of lather too and can be applied using fingers. But the brand closed that particular product. I’ve been trying to recreate it using combination of oils, glycerine, soap, conditioner etc. but have been largely unsuccessful so far. I’ve been meaning to ask you guys if you are aware of any such DIY concoction.
I use a safety razor with a Feather Blade, I replace it every 3-4 shaves.
Inuse a DE with feather blades. I shave every other day and replace the blade every 2-3 weeks. (When I remember to replace them)
I bought a 20 pack of 10 blade boxes for €40 years ago, together wuth the Qshave that came with 50 blades (10 5 blade boxes). I have 14 boxes of 10 blades left, so at least 280 weeks of shaving.
Same blades, same-ish shaving frequency, but I change my blades after every second shave. Past that I can feel the blades starting to pull, especially on my neck. Still cheap as shit compared to cartridges for a much better experience.
I like a little pull, as on the 1st go on each edge I can manage to cut myself without noticing it. (until I start leaking blood ;) ) Usually it’s the 3rd or 4th go that’s the nasty one after which it gets replaced. However, I usually replace them the moment the filter of the drinking fountain for the cats gets replaced, which is every other week. (that way I’m not to late, until I forget the filter as well ;) )
I get those expensive 5 blade Gillette razors and they last me about 4-5 months each of shaving a few times a week with and against the grain of the face hair.
I think a few weeks, but I never really pay attention. I use thode Gillette ones with a blue strip, and they usually go dull around the same time that the blue strip has turned white-ish. I have quite thick facial hair, but because of that I also shave most of it away with an electric shaving machine. A normal razor is quite a pain to use on my facial hair even after 1 day, so the electric razor is kinda needed. I think that also makes the blades last longer since most work is already done
The strip is there to tell you when to switch your blade.
I only use a razor once, but then I only shave my legs once a month or so, so it works out
