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.
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.
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 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 use a safety razor with a Feather Blade, I replace it every 3-4 shaves.
When shaving starts to hurt, then I replace it
I only use a razor once, but then I only shave my legs once a month or so, so it works out
Shaving my head, I change blades weekly, provided I remember. Any longer and I get razor burn. I should get longer out of each blade as I get older, at least.
I use my electric hair trimmer maybe once a week and then if I want it to be closer I use a manual razor. That blade had probably been in there for at least 6 months. Maybe 2x that. But It isn’t a fair assessment because with a beard and mustache I only need to shave my neck and cheeks. If you want to keep your blade from getting dull, keep it dry and away from water as much as possible. Rusting of the edge will dull it fast. And metal rusts quickly on edges.
I use a double edge razor, and the blades I use are on the “nicer” end, cost wise, and it comes down to about 11 cents a blade.
Now, I mostly just use clippers to take my beard down to a level my wife prefers, but when I had a job I had to shave daily for, I’d change it once a week because the blades are cheap.
That being said, I still use the DE to touch up certain other spots and its been months and months… I should change it out now that I’m thinking about it, lol.
I use Dollar Shave Club with their 5-blade cartridge. My number of shaves depend on how well I prep my shave and the durability of that particular cartridge that time. The blue strip may be gone, but after soaking and my own razor lubricants, I can get three days, a week, or I can get as long as a month. My beard is coarse, but my hair is fine. I wash my blade carefully afterward and use 91% rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide to sanitize the blade.
The five blade cartridge feels opulent, but I do push it. FWIW, I don’t get razor burns, ever. One nick, and it’s gone, even if it’s my fault for being careless.
FWIW, I don’t get razor burns, ever. One nick, and it’s gone, even if it’s my fault for being careless.
Tbf, that’s not vecause it’s five blades. I use their 3 blade razor without shaving cream and don’t have issue beyond a nick evey couple of months
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.
I got about a month on a disposable safety razor, but I don’t have much to shave.
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 beard trimmer to buzz my fsce with no guard about twice a week. I have pretty thin facial hair.
I probably shave twice a year. Weddings. In person interviews. Whatever.
New blade every shave.
That’s a lot. I have a thick beard and can go up to 6 shaves easy.
