Cartridge life

[JustinfromTN]

I'm just curious how many shaves you guys get out of a cartridge... I use mine for 2 weeks but after reading a few posts that seems like a long time compared to most. I don't have sensitive skin though so my dome don't mind.

[Paul the Headblader]

depends..
if you have a full head of hair, you're likely to get 4-5 shaves out of a cartridge.
it also depends on the blade you shave it, and what kind of cartridges you use.
I voted for 5-7.

[mrzed]

I'd agree with Paul.  Those of us BBC have a lot more hair to cut each day and the razor does not last as long.  If you are only cutting the horseshoe I'd expect it to last longer. Likewise, if your hair is thin on top per square inch, you're also cutting less hair.

Maybe I should have answered 3-5 as I use TWO razors and each last about a week.  One head blade and a Schick Hydro 5 or a Gillette Fusion Pro.  I change both blades about weekly when they just don't cut smoothly any more and shaving is starting to take longer.  I'll generally change one on Sunday and one on Wednesday so that I have more days when one is sharper than the other.

I shave with the DULL one first, then finish with the new one for that ultra smooth dome.  I feel I get more mileage that way.

[Frontier Guy]

Totally depends on the brand. With the HB3 I would get six days consistently, with the Gillettte Custom3Plus I would get seven days, and with the WIlkinson Sword Super II Plus I can get a little over 14 days but I change them every 14 days for convenience.

[-Doug-]

I put my vote in the 10-14 range though I may go past 14 some times. I've been on a Schick Hydor 5 kick lately and I think it was about a at least a week ago that I changed the blade. It is still going strong. I'll have with it until I notice that it takes a longer time to shave. Even as the blade dulls the SH5 still give a decent shave.

The other blade I use regularly, on a HeadBlade, is the Wilkinson Sword Super II Plus. That blade's life regularly falls within the 10-14 day range.

[Slynito]

When I used to use a Fusion I would get >12 shaves...now I mostly use my Panny and Merkur DE.

[ktb]

Does anyone have any tips for prolonging razor life?  I've seen those razor saver things that supposedly sharpen the blades and stuff, but really don't want to spend the money if it's crap.  I'm getting about 7 days on my HB4 blades currently, but I've got a Friar Tuck spot on the back that doesn't wear down the razor any.

[Slynito]

Many shavers give the cartridge several swipes on a rough towel or rough cloth like denim. Good luck!

[antoniom]

Does anyone have any tips for prolonging razor life?  I've seen those razor saver things that supposedly sharpen the blades and stuff, but really don't want to spend the money if it's crap.  I'm getting about 7 days on my HB4 blades currently, but I've got a Friar Tuck spot on the back that doesn't wear down the razor any.

look here

[ktb]

Cool, thanks guys I'll give some of that a shot.

[JustinfromTN]

Great info and insight guys, Thanks!

[valldo]

I voted for 10 to 14 although I have extended it to a months use. Nowadays I don't stretch it that long anymore, two weeks max.
I do rinse the blades with water and alcohol after use, than let them air dry sitting on a blade sharpener I bought on Ebay. It is a German patent, I found a short youtube video about it. Hope you're able to see it, if not just youtube search the words Blade Master.
 The video is in  German though.




BTW, I use a Headblade razor with Gillette Sensor blades