Source
r/wicked_edge•
Altarocks

What am I doing? Need a new blade every shave.

I read here about guys going two, three, even five or six shaves before changing blades. But unless I put a fresh blade in, it starts to tug and pull. I have three different razors; I've tried lots of blades and it's always the same. With a fresh (favored) blade, I get a DFS. Second shave on the same blade. Ugh. What am I doing wrong, or not doing right? (I mean, we're doing this to save money, right? Ignoring the cost of the razors, soaps and all that.)

Posted Oct 9, 2014, 3:26 AM UTC

2329
mrcandymanEJ,AS-D2,AC DX,'47 SuperSpeed,Standard,Micromatic,Valet VC4•

It sounds to me like your shaving angle is a bit off, which wears the blade quicker (and is also likely why you're not getting BBS and only DFS).

6
AltarocksOP•

I'll pay more attention to the blade angle, always a good idea. But I have had some BBS, just a modest newbie here amongst the pros.

1
yodelmiester•

Just use a new blade every time...the cost is minimal

5
M1DN1GHTG4M3R•

Agreed, many people chose to go with a fresh one every shave. It's not a bad thing to do unless money is suuuuper tight OP

2
Its_free_and_funMerkur 1904•

What kind of prep are you doing? Blade brand? Cream? I'd think you need more water for more time if you have such issues without a new blade.

3
magic-moose•

I once felt like this, but the source of my problem was in my head and in my blade angle. I had the angle wrong, it was pulling, and I convinced myself it was only happening when the blade had a couple shaves on it when, in fact, it was happening even on the first day.

2
AltarocksOP•

Thought that too. But first shaves are smooth, like butter.

1
PixelOrangeBlack Standard Razor - Try A Blade - Stirling Soap•

At $0.10 a blade I tend not to worry about it (I rarely shave more than twice with a single blade) but if you're really trying to cut down on blade waste then you could shave more frequently (shorter hair is easier to shave) and get a better soap/lather. Medicore soap plays a huge role in how easy it is to shave.

2
LeisureguyGourmet Shaver•

You don't provide enough detail for a good answer, unfortunately. It's quite possibly that it's a matter of insufficient prep. Poor prep has much the same effect as a dull blade. Describe your prep and that will help.

What razors are you using? If your beard is exceptionally tough (once the prep issue is settled), you might consider getting a slant razor, which cuts more easily.

My primary suspect is that your prep needs some adjustment.

2
AltarocksOP•

I shower and wash before my shave. Maybe I need a pre-shave oil or something. I'm using an Ikon Slant - at your suggestion! And that's made my shaves soooo much smoother. Really like cutting through butter the first time with a new blade.

1
LeisureguyGourmet Shaver•

I highly recommend washing your beard at the sink following your shower, using a high-glycerin soap and your hands. Rinse partially with a splash and immediately apply lather. Some good soaps for this: Musgo Real Glyce Lime Oil soap (MR GLO), or Whole Foods 365 brand glycerin soap, or Dr. Bronner's bar soap, or Clearly Natural glycerin soap. Some shaving vendors (e.g., HTGAM, QEDusa.com) also offer a high-glycerin pre-shave soap.

1
IMBW89•

I use a new one every shave with a shavette and no more than 2 shaves with a DE per blade. After that they get too rough. I also have the exact same issue even if I use a cartridge razor. I'd much rather get 2 shaves per blade at a few cents each than 2 shaves per cartridge for a couple bucks each.

If it makes any difference, I am partially middle eastern and my stubble is very thick.

1
AltarocksOP•

Not middle eastern here. But used to go through cartridges fast too. Never understood how anyone could go a week or more with a cart. The carts were fine for 3,4,5 shaves but after that, a real drag.

1
comanon•

You gotta soften your hair as much as possible before shaving. That goes for everybody though.

1
almightywhacko•

You probably just need to experiment with more blades. You say that you have used "lots of blades" but that doesn't really tell us anything useful. You don't even tell us what your (favored) blade brand is which makes it difficult to identify the problem.

FWIW some brands of blades only give me one comfortable shave before I need to switch them out. Derby Extras fall into this category. However after trying dozens of blade brands I found several that give me comfortable shaves and last at least 3-5 shaves.

My only advice to you in the absence of any useful information is to experiment more.

1
AltarocksOP•

Really I've tried dozens of popular blades. Current favs are Personna Reds and Kai's. Feathers were good the first time but such a marked deterioration between the first shave and the second that I took them off the list. I can get an okay second shave from the Personnas or Kais but still not as good as the first time around.

1
almightywhacko•

How do you store your razor between shaves? Is your razor stored in an abnormally wet location? Do you rinse it off and shake the water out of your razor after each shave?

1
AltarocksOP•

Usually dry it off with my shave towel and put it in its stand. (Standing up Ikon stand for a slant)

1
H0kusaiOccam’s Razor•

Quite possibly you are damaging the edge in the process. Don't wipe, just rinse, shake and let air dry.

1
zagood•

A lot of good advice in this thread, but honestly, some people's hair is just that coarse. When I go to the barber he switches out shavette blades on me at least twice. If I'm shaving every day I can use a blade 2 or 3 times, if I wait more than 2 days I only get once out of a blade. How often are you shaving?

1
AltarocksOP•

Yes! So much good advice given so generously! I shave everyday with an occasional second shave in the evening when I want to look extra spiffy.

1
mooseman99•
  • dry off your blade after each shave
  • make sure you use both sides of the razor blade
  • try not to let your hair grow too long in between shaves. Longer hair dulls the razor quickly
  • work on your lather. Poor lather can result in a not-so-smooth shave even with a sharp blade
0
H0kusaiOccam’s Razor•
  • dry off your blade after each shave

Why would that be necessary, unless we're talking about the few brands of "carbon steel" i.e. non-stainless blades? I have left a few blades in wet razors (both plated Zamak and SS) for two weeks straight: No rust.

4
mooseman99•

First, as the blade dulls, it becomes susceptible to pitting and can indeed corrode.

Second, drying the blade prevents mineral deposits from the water & soap residue buildup.

0
H0kusaiOccam’s Razor•

And it increases the danger of damaging the edge and cutting yourself, which is why SS blades sometimes wore the warning "do not wipe". It is simply counterproductive. If any drying is needed, as with non SS blades, a quick rinse in isopropanol will do the trick.

5
mooseman99•

Ok well this is completely anecdotal but I always dry off my blade and have never cut myself doing it

Just dab each side on a towel.

-1
goat_irl•

The last point is the one that works most for me... getting the lather right makes the shave much nicer

2
AltarocksOP•

Check, check, check. Agree with you about the lather, it can make a world of difference. Currently using B&M and LASC soap samplers and love them both, just trying to pick some scents.

1