Ask Lemmy

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.

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’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'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.

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 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.

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.

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 bought a Harry's set when I was in the Army and used to change my blades about once a month with full shaves six days a week. I have a goatee now and just shave my cheeks and neck on Monday mornings. I haven't changed a blade yet this year.

Never, since I started using a straight razor. Took a bit of getting used to, gave myself a few nicks here and there but it's so much faster and precise for beard contour, I dont wanna go back. Second choice would be a safety razor, those can last a week for a few pennies.

2 shaves per blade, max.

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

New blade every shave.

I only use a razor once, but then I only shave my legs once a month or so, so it works out

When shaving starts to hurt, then I replace it

Every 2-3 shaves. As soon as I feel the blade losing that glass smooth cut and the slightest hint of resistance, I switch.

Blades cost like 50 cents each so, no reason to hold onto them for more than that.

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 my late grandpa's gellette de from the 50s and I usually change the blade every 3-4 shaves. Whenever I feel it tug I know it's time for a new blade.

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.

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.

Two shaves max for a safety (double edged) razor blade. Usually let a few days go by between shaves.

For hygiene, as long as you rinse it well after you should be okay

It's been about twenty years since I last shaved but there's still a razor with a fresh blade in the cabinet. So... twenty years ish?

I was using a straight razor towards the end and, while I loved it, it's way more time consuming than a standard razor. Part of the reason I stopped shaving was laziness so I'm sure the straight razor hastened my transition into the wookie I am today.

Retired and bearded now, so I don't really shave, nor care, but mine is thick (and white), and a blade would last three days, maybe four. After that, it was too painful to use.

I've switched to using hair clippers pretty much exclusively so the few times I use a razor, it's a new one.

I'm more or less in your boat. My chin grows in a bit more, though still too scraggly to amount to anything, and otherwise I'm going on two decades of having a 15yo boy's "beard". While it's annoying to have certain aesthetic options off the table, it's kind of nice to have an easy routine that doesn't even need to be daily.

Shaving cream is mostly pointless, so I don't bother getting any. Shave dry if the old electric is charged, change blades once a year. If it's not, or I'm travelling, or I am feeling like I want to be pretty, then while the whiskers are still fairly soft after showering, use a Harry's 4-blade disposable (maybe ten-fifteen shaves before changing the cartridge).

I don't use it much anymore, but I also have a safety razor, and I'd change those blades after five or six uses. I can count on one hands the number of times I've had any sort of razor burn I could feel after twenty minutes, and other than the first couple of times I used the safety, I've never had more than two nicks at a time in my life, including when I was a 15yo boy. In the end, the safety is still a lot less safe than a modern disposable, requires a more consistent angle, and is just a lot of ritual and futzing that never felt particularly satisfying for me. I'm there to scrape the scraggly garbage off my face once I start looking like a patchy hobo, not to pamper myself. If doing it "wrong" came with any sort of realistic consequences like razor burn, ingrown hairs, tons of cuts, or a 5 o'clock shadow at 2:30, then I'd probably be all-in on the hobby side, but for my face it just doesn't matter. Anyway, I have fountain pens, woodworking, and mech keyboards to scratch my gleeful luddite itch.