How Often Should Men Replace Their Razor Blades?

This is a question whose answer is highly dependent on the hair that is being shaved and the equipment that is being used to shave it! Some people find that a particular brand of blade will last them for 5 shaves, and some will find that the same blade can last for 20 shaves.

So, why the big difference? Quite simply, the variable factor is the strength of the hair that the blade is being asked to cut, the analogy of human hair being as strong as steel wire of the same thickness is accurate. Hair strength, or thickness, varies enormously between us blokes, and also where the hair is growing on the body.

A generalisation is that dark hair is normally thicker than fair hair; also, hair on legs is generally finer than hair within the beard area. So there we go, dark hair within the beard area is pretty much the toughest hair you can get and this is why shaving blunts the microscopically thin blades.

Razor design - it's a "tech" thing!

Manufacturers very cleverly design their blades with features that help the cutting process and it costs them a lot - Gillette were rumoured to have spent over $1 Billion on developing their Mach 3 razor. The original razors were "cut-throat" straight razors that relied on pure sharpness to cut that pesky coarse hair. As technology advanced, the safety razor was developed which protected the skin as the beard was shaved.

Razor blades became encased within cartridges to prevent "nicks", with "microfins" to help lift the hair and a lubricating strip was also developed to help the smooth glide process. The lubricating strip also became a handy indicator as to when a new blade should be used. As the colour fades on the lubricating strip, consideration should be given to changing the blade. The colour on the lubricating strip should only be used as a guide to when the blade needs changing, don't forget, some blokes have hair that is a lot finer than others so even though the strip has lost its colour there may still be life in those blades.

Here's a good tip, washing the blade under stream of fast running hot water, regularly, will lengthen the life of a blade.

Blunt blades = painful problems!

When you shave with a blunt blade, the problems will start. Razor burn is something we have all experienced and generally it is caused by a number of factors; blunt blades, poor shaving cream or foam, lack of "wetting in" and shaving "against the grain". It is easy to tell if you are shaving against the grain, run your fingers across your beard, in one direction, your beard will feel rough, in the opposite direction, it will feel smoother.

Although shaving against the grain produces a smoother shave, it also irritates your skin much more. Wet your hair properly! This softens bristles making them easier to cut; it can also prolong the life of the blade. If you can, shave after having a shower, if not, why not try using a flannel with hot (but not too hot!) water and soak those whiskers.

Use a good quality shaving gel or oil. The days of only having a generic "foam in a can" have gone, thank goodness, as the foams tend to dry skin out badly. Try using a modern shaving gel such as King of Shaves AlphaGel, or the AlphOil, the shave is so much smoother with no dryness afterwards. Another tip, King of Shaves AlphaOil can be taken as hand luggage on fights so no need to check in your bags for a short trip.

If you are shaving with the grain, have wet your hair well, are using a good quality gel or oil, and you are still getting razor burn, then the likelihood is that your blade needs changing. Once you known how long your blades last, change them regularly and you will avoid the dreaded razor burn.

Final tip, the Gillette Fusion range is one of the most popular blades, the manual blades tend to last longer than the power blades but can be used in the power handle, net result of cheaper shaving.