# Number of shaves with a disposable razor **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 18, 2013, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830 "2013-07-18T11:01:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/21 "2013-07-19T15:05:35Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Thanks to this very MB I started trying it and it works for me. I used to get only 3-4 shaves per razor, and now I get 6-8. How do you physically dry off the blade? After I shake off the razor after shaving, the part that seems wet at all is the space between the blades. Do you use a little Q-tip or toothpick to dry off that area? ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/22 "2013-07-19T15:26:56Z")
I’m curious about the drying technique as well. I use Gillett Sensor 3 and get 3-5 shaves, after which the shaving quality drops noticeably. I’d really love to get even a couple weeks shaving from a blade. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/23 "2013-07-19T15:31:35Z")
My Gillette Fusion gets probably 2 months of use before changing the blade. It’s a 5 blade per head design. 5 blades cost something like 17 bucks,so it’s not real cheap. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/24 "2013-07-19T15:34:48Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Several sources say that if one physically dries off the blade rather than letting it air dry, the razor will stay sharp much longer. Anyone have any experience on this? I’d try it, but I quit shaving back in '97. I’ve heard you can let it dry with the handle pointing up, that way water flows away from the cutting edges. ---
**Author:** ![Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speak_to_me_Maddie)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/25 "2013-07-19T15:49:54Z")
Just press the razor on a hand towel after shaking it off. I also do what this [shirtless grandpa on youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ADaRIqy0Dc) does and it seems to increase use-life. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/26 "2013-07-19T17:33:53Z")
Depends on your beard. If your hairs are tough coming out – as are mine though they soften as they get longer – I doubt you’ll get a good, neat shave after more than four to six times. After that, you won’t get a close shave but you’re bound to get nicks & cuts and generally irritate your face; especially around the neck area. For the record, I’ve been using Schick Xtreme 3 disposables for years and I love them. Great shaver. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/27 "2013-07-19T17:36:28Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > How do you physically dry off the blade? After I shake off the razor after shaving, the part that seems wet at all is the space between the blades. Do you use a little Q-tip or toothpick to dry off that area? I use toilet paper. If you jam it up in there just a bit it soaks up a lot of the water. I have to be careful to not move it back and forth though as I’m afraid that might dull the blade (and or cut thru the paper :eek:) When I started I did move it back and forth so as to also clean the razor of hairs but it seemed to be counterproductive. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/28 "2013-07-19T18:35:05Z")
If you don’t dry the blade it will corrode and dull. One technique is to keep the blade in a small jar of baby oil between shaves. Works for me. I also buy my blades direct from the manufacturer at about 30 cents each. That saves me about 80 percent off the retail price. ---
**Author:** ![BigDadWolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@BigDadWolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigDadWolf)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/29 "2013-07-19T21:35:11Z")
> [@Hbns](#): > > I’m curious about the drying technique as well. > I use Gillett Sensor 3 and get 3-5 shaves, after which the shaving quality drops noticeably. I’d really love to get even a couple weeks shaving from a blade. I go to the gym in the morning so after I shave I just stick my razor under the hot air hand dryer for 10 seconds and -presto- dry razor. Since I have started doing, this I my Gillette Sensor Excel cartridge give me comfortable shaves for a month which is easily double what I used to get. When I do shave at home I just use the blow dryer for the same effect. ---
**Author:** ![booyah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@booyah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/booyah)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/30 "2013-07-20T12:49:15Z")
I shave almost every day, my wife of 50 years has a problem with beards. Years ago the question was given in a class at UT as an assignment. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/31 "2013-07-21T15:44:24Z")
Honestly, all these techniques to keep the razor sharp just sound like so much hokum. My speculation is that people who do these things are just more likely to keep their razors clean and free of gunk, which is the most important thing for its effectiveness. ---
**Author:** ![\_xiao\_wenti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/b782af/32.png) [@\_xiao\_wenti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_xiao_wenti)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/32 "2013-07-21T15:44:55Z")
Even disposable razors can be stropped. I read about using denim to strop them, but you can use your arm, or (it’s bad for the blade) glazed tile in the shower. I will replace blades, but go 6 months or so with the same disposable razor. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/33 "2013-07-21T15:45:30Z")
> [@booyah](#): > > I shave almost every day, my wife of 50 years has a problem with beards. Years ago the question was given in a class at UT as an assignment. Has she looked in to an Epilady? ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/34 "2013-07-22T03:47:01Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > Honestly, all these techniques to keep the razor sharp just sound like so much hokum. My speculation is that people who do these things are just more likely to keep their razors clean and free of gunk, which is the most important thing for its effectiveness. No hokum. If you want razors to retain their edge for more than a couple weeks, thorough drying after use is an absolute must, and it will also help if you store them in a sealed, dry container while they are not being used. Stainless steel is resistant enough to oxidation that it takes a long time for it to become _visibly_ rusty, but microscopic-scale corrosion can and does occur, and the first iron molecules to oxidize will naturally be the ones that line the edge. Gunk or no gunk, once that happens your razor will be ready for the trash. ---
**Author:** ![nion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nion)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/35 "2013-07-22T04:00:39Z")
I use the proglide razors. They are supposed to last a month each, but I get razor burn and/or cuts if I try to go much past two weeks. It’s maddening, because they really are easier on my skin while providing a close shave. But damn are they expensive. I do the patting on a towel thing, but it only seems to make a marginal difference. Frustrating. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/36 "2013-07-22T15:02:14Z")
> [@colander](#): > > Stainless steel is resistant enough to oxidation that it takes a long time for it to become _visibly_ rusty, but microscopic-scale corrosion can and does occur, and the first iron molecules to oxidize will naturally be the ones that line the edge. There is a soupçon of science behind it–that is why the meme stays strong. However, the drying techniques are too varied, the environmental variables too great, and the actual effect would be too small to explain the results people report. It is akin to the [sharpening power of pyramids](http://pyramidrazorsharpener.wordpress.com/) from a generation ago. Lots of people swore by that as well. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/37 "2013-07-22T15:16:12Z")
I remember some William Gibson story where a reporter was asking a “low tech” person why he didn’t buy a new razor and the guy answered “After a certain point, they don’t get any duller”. I am not sure what my record is but I have used them for a damn long time - especially when I didn’t have a lot of spare cash. 4 months easy. eta:I have a hard time likening drying a razor to pyramid power. Drying before putting away is good for the life of ANY piece of equipment. Almost more ridiculous to say it wouldn’t help. imho. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/38 "2013-07-22T15:28:55Z")
Water one rinses a razor off with is not pure. I hypothesize that the good results from drying a razor isn’t so much to do with water corroding a blade as it is with water leaving deposits behind. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/39 "2013-07-22T17:50:32Z")
> [@colander](#): > > No hokum. If you want razors to retain their edge for more than a couple weeks, thorough drying after use is an absolute must, and it will also help if you store them in a sealed, dry container while they are not being used. Stainless steel is resistant enough to oxidation that it takes a long time for it to become _visibly_ rusty, but microscopic-scale corrosion can and does occur, and the first iron molecules to oxidize will naturally be the ones that line the edge. Gunk or no gunk, once that happens your razor will be ready for the trash. Sure, except all but the very cheapest have platinum or some other metal sputtered onto the edge to prevent corrosion. I think **CarnalK** is onto it; after a certain point, they don’t get any duller, and if that’s what you’re used to, you see no reason to replace them. It’s how my in-laws roll with their kitchen knives- “They’re plenty sharp.”, even though they’re horribly dull compared to even moderately sharp knives. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830/40 "2013-07-22T19:14:36Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Sure, except all but the very cheapest have platinum or some other metal sputtered onto the edge to prevent corrosion. > > I think **CarnalK** is onto it; after a certain point, they don’t get any duller, and if that’s what you’re used to, you see no reason to replace them. > > It’s how my in-laws roll with their kitchen knives- “They’re plenty sharp.”, even though they’re horribly dull compared to even moderately sharp knives. As long as people don’t mind taking chuncks of skin off of their face along with the beard, then I guess yeah – they last forever. Question is, what will your face look like after say, a year? Do they make men’s Burkas? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-shaves-with-a-disposable-razor/663830.md?page=3)