# Guys: How Long Does a Razor Last You? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 3, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088 "2016-02-03T19:59:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/21 "2016-02-04T02:47:58Z")
I shave every day. Disposables last about 4-7 days, a Trac II or Sensor cartridge gives about twice that, and I can get at least 3 weeks from a Mach 3 cartridge. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/22 "2016-02-04T04:17:00Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I still don’t understand the gourmet or retro shaving shaving fads. I don’t need three or more expensive blades nor do I need to prove that I can avoid maiming myself with an 1800’s style straight razor. The purpose is to get hair off my face as quickly and cheaply as practical. I use one of those straight razors. I bought mine for $70 four years ago and I’ll probably never buy another razor. I shave twice a week and go through a can of shaving cream twice a year so my yearly cost is slightly higher then yours now but in a couple of years it will be lower. I use a straight razor because I feel like I get a better shave and it costs way less then what I was spending with three or four blade razors. Now that I’ve been doing it for a bit it only takes me maybe 5 minutes to shave my face. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/23 "2016-02-04T04:32:03Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > I use one of those straight razors. I bought mine for $70 four years ago and I’ll probably never buy another razor. I shave twice a week and go through a can of shaving cream twice a year so my yearly cost is slightly higher then yours now but in a couple of years it will be lower. I use a straight razor because I feel like I get a better shave and it costs way less then what I was spending with three or four blade razors. Now that I’ve been doing it for a bit it only takes me maybe 5 minutes to shave my face. I almost understand the sentiment because I like some rustic things myself for no particular reason. However, it never takes me even close to 5 minutes to shave my whole face even when I have a 4 day old semi-beard. I think I am a better than average shaver. I am a very fast swiper and not a picker or poker like you see on commercials. Those men have no idea what they are doing and it is very bad technique. I look at it just like wiping my ass. I don’t need the fanciest product on the market just like I don’t have to use corn cobs either. The cheap, middle solution works just great on its own. [The Onion called it years ago well before Gillette started the blade wars](http://www.theonion.com/blogpost/fuck-everything-were-doing-five-blades-11056). Straight razors are just a reaction against that but there is a sensible middle. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/24 "2016-02-04T05:03:43Z")
About two months. I shave in the shower. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/25 "2016-02-04T05:27:22Z")
I shave every day. Blades last roughly 3 weeks. I switched to a safety razor last year because the Gillette Fusion blades are very expensive and the generate more trash. It took a while to get the hang of it but now it does a decent job. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/26 "2016-02-04T05:32:58Z")
After reading thru this thread, I’ve concluded that I must have steel wool for hair. I use Gillette Mach 3 razors. I shave not just my face but my head 2-3 times per week and I rarely have blades that don’t need to be replaced after 3-4 uses. I did just order a trial pack from Dorco, based on **Saintly Loser** ’s post. Only cost me $3, so if I don’t like 'em, at least it didn’t cost me much to try. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/27 "2016-02-04T06:01:37Z")
I use my late father’s Gillette adjustable safety razor with Astra blades (and an occasional Feather blade). I use one blade a week. My beard is finer than average, so I probably could get another week out of the blade. But since the Astra is about 12¢ a blade when I buy in quantity, it doesn’t seem worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/28 "2016-02-04T06:09:04Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I don’t need three or more expensive blades… > [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I’ve tried multiple 3, 4 and 5 blade razors. All they do is rip the hair out of my face. Using a 1 or 2 blade disposable is much cheaper and more effective/painless. I have a light beard and relatively sensitive skin, and I have found that three blades is the sweet spot for me. It’s smoother than two, but four or five did nothing extra for me. Store brand 3-blades generally seem to work as well for me as Schick or Gillette. I shave maybe every other day, and a blade will last me a few weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/29 "2016-02-04T07:38:29Z")
Shave daily, and use disposable Gillette razors. Usually change it once a month or so. Towards the end, it isn’t very good at it’s job, but I always forget to get a new one. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/30 "2016-02-04T15:35:29Z")
A double-blade replacement lasts me at least six months (it helps that I only trim shave around the beard). I think I’m still using a can of Barbasol from the '90s. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/31 "2016-02-04T15:41:14Z")
I don’t shave much of my face, just a little trimming here and there, and I usually use a straight-razor. But I do use a drugstore razor/cheap disposable for some spots. I usually get like a couple months out of one. I tried some of the fancier ones over the years and never found one to do a better job or last longer for me but I must admit that what hair I have is fairly coarse and thick. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/32 "2016-02-04T16:35:00Z")
I shave about every 5-6 days and my blade will last as long as I let it. Sometimes i’ll have the same \*blade \*in-use for 2-3 months. I use those gillette fusion ones, and I probably buy a total of 8 blades a year. > [@Dinsdale](#): > > \ > I probably go longer than I ought - by the time I change I’m finding I really have to scrape and leave hairs. And when I put in the new one, I’m always sorta surprised how easy/effective it is. :smack: > \. I have the same experience, ha! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/33 "2016-02-04T16:39:40Z")
Trying to be green, I avoid disposable razors and shaving while showering. Disposable razors generate a lot of trash, so let’s save our landfills, and shaving in the shower wastes a LOT of water. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/34 "2016-02-04T17:10:48Z")
I use Feather double edge blades; cost about 25 cents each. I shave two or three times a week, leaving the aging-hippy-douche van dyke trimmed short weekly with an electric trimmer. Change blades maybe every three weeks. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/35 "2016-02-04T17:26:45Z")
I use standard Gillette twin-blade disposables. I switch out to a new razor every three months, whether I need to or not. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/36 "2016-02-04T17:56:01Z")
When I was using my Gillette Fusion Power I would get about 3 weeks to a month per blade. I switched to a safety razor last year and swap blades about 1/week (usually Feather or Merkur Platinum blades). ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/37 "2016-02-04T18:11:28Z")
Six months so far on the current cartridge. Fusion, in the shower, with soap. Miss Scarlet in the bedroom with rope was already taken… ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/38 "2016-02-04T18:43:10Z")
> [@Jake\_Jones](#): > > I tried Harry’s based on your recommendation in another thread just a few weeks ago. I like the blades and they cost a bit less. The problem is, I really like their shaving gel and aftershave balm, too. Previously, I used Gillette Fusion with an esoteric shaving soap called Lever 2000. So, whatever I’m saving on blades is going to be destroyed by gel and aftershave cost. Obviously, I could go back to shaving with bar soap. I just really love the smell of their shaving products. I’ve never been much of a fragrance guy before and their stuff is mild enough that I’m not broadcasting a strong scent, but damn my face smells good! 😃 Yeah, that is the downside of Harry’s. The wife discovered their shave gel and now we go through it twice as fast. Stuff’s amazing. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/39 "2016-02-04T18:44:16Z")
I use single-blade safety razors currently (closest shave results I can get). Blade life is _very_ manufacturer dependent. Some blades last only one shave, others stay good for 2 weeks. I used to use Mach 3 disposables and would get about a month out of them. I didn’t like them though, because they clog up too easily if a skip a day or two shaving. ---
**Author:** ![Chihuahua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@Chihuahua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chihuahua)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088/40 "2016-02-04T18:50:22Z")
> [@funky\_little\_lee](#): > > We seem to be getting inundated with commercials for razors that claim to last longer than Chinese civilization, with the implication being that normal razors won’t go half a shave before they’re useless. This is me. I think I’ve just got thicker-than-normal hair. One shave and the razor is toast… The second shave feels like it is pulling the hair out rather than cutting it. It’s very, very painful. I’ve tried fancy Mach 3 razors, gels that claim they’re formulated for thicker hair, etc. and nothing works. The best I can do is go at it with an electric razor and then use the regular razor to clean up whatever it missed. I basically end up with a perpetual five o’clock shadow. If I didn’t have to shave for my job, I’m sure I would have some big old ZZ Top beard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-long-does-a-razor-last-you/745088.md?page=3)