# Quadrupling (or longer!) the Life of Razor Blades – a Shaving Thread: spend only $500, not $8,000

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quadrupling-or-longer-the-life-of-razor-blades-a-shaving-thread-spend-only-500-not-8-000/713862>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [February 28, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quadrupling-or-longer-the-life-of-razor-blades-a-shaving-thread-spend-only-500-not-8-000/713862 "2015-02-28T16:49:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quadrupling-or-longer-the-life-of-razor-blades-a-shaving-thread-spend-only-500-not-8-000/713862/61 "2015-03-11T18:43:57Z")

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> [@swampspruce](#):
>
> It is kind of fascinating that this thread came up as I become increasingly irked at Gillette and started looking for an alternative. I considered Harry’s and DSC, but started reading up on DE and straight razors (In my younger days I tried one of my knives, once, just to see if it was actually that sharp. It was, but left a wicked razor burn. The same with peanut butter as shave cream).
> 
> I bought a [Merkur Futur](http://www.fendrihan.com/merkur-futur-adjustable-safety-razor-satin-finish-p-62.html) adjustable DE razor on Amazon and have a sample pack from Fendrihan’s on the way. My first shave was on setting 3 on a three day growth of beard and found it a little too aggressive with the included blade. It did shave close, though. It will take a bit of practice before I’m comfortable enough to shave in the shower with it like I normally have.

I’ve got a Gillette adjustable that’s about 50 years old I’ve been shaving with since high school. I’ve been tempted by the looks of some of the Merkur razors but never pulled the trigger on one, though I’ve had a couple in my shopping cart. Mine is looking a little ratty.

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**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quadrupling-or-longer-the-life-of-razor-blades-a-shaving-thread-spend-only-500-not-8-000/713862/62 "2015-03-11T20:57:14Z")

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> [@JRDelirious](#):
>
> Yes, I’ve learned to ignore the color strip on my Mach3 heads and just trust my face.

Well, you _do_ have an honest face.

Regards,  
Shodan

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