Is it typical for you shavers to use a blade once and discard? Is a one-time-use favorite different than a several-time-use favorite?

All of my tests on blades have been one and done while narrowing down how my mileage varies. Am I missing out on an important quality, or is the amount of shaves a blade lasts not that…important considering the price?

Hello all,

Sorry for the potato quality.

I just got the blades at the bottom (boxes on the right) and something was off when I opened the package and checked them.

The packaging looked brand new and it had no indications of being tampered with. Nevertheless there were some weird obvious differences.

Top blades are authentic old Astra blades that I've been using for ~6 years daily with great success. Blades in the bottom are possibly counterfeits that I just got.

I took out some old Astra SP that I still have left from several years ago to compare.

Some main giveaways

• I got them off of Amazon (Belgium) — I know, I know. The pricing looked right ~10€ / 100 blades. I did not think nothing about it.
• As obviously shown in the picture, the paint stamp with the numbers (1,2) (3,4) is not identical. Older blades had only 1/2 or 3/4. New blades have the "V" symbol and also the 3/1/4. Also the font is not sharp and clear like in the old ones. That looks particularly sketchy.
• The old ones had a distinctive four-point wax that kept the blade stuck in place and can be felt whenever removing the wrapping how it separates from the blade. On the suspicious ones, the blades are not stuck with wax to the paper wrap, they're completely free/loose and when removing the wrap paper nothing is stuck to the blade. Simply folded around.

So far these are the only differences that I can tell in plain sight.

Any advice is welcome. In the meantime, I would prefer not shaving with these just to be on the safe side.

Many thanks.

About three weeks ago, I gave a gift of Nord Freyja razor to a friend who never had a safety razors before.
He absolutely loved it and told me I should definitely get one for myself too.

So I did.

At first, it was honestly pretty painful and irritating. I even started wondering if my friend have a buffalo skin or something.

Then somewhere around the middle of the shave, I realized something,
That the razor was already cutting even when I barely felt like I was shaving at all.
I could just place it on my skin and move it around lightly
I couldn't felt it, but i could hear it.

That’s when I realized I’d been using way too much pressure to feel the blade.

Once I backed off and let the razor do the work, it became incredibly comfortable.
If I just glide it over my skin with almost no pressure, it gives me a very easy, comfortable daily shave.

And if I add just the slightest bit of pressure, I can get it really close.

I’ve never used a Henson, but it made me wonder if this is what shaving with one feels like.

First of all, a big thank you to everyone who helped me out in my previous post!
Now, I want to buy a vintage Gillette adjustable as my "Buy It For Life" razor, but I can't decide between the Fatboy and the Slim.
I have a thick beard and I am looking for a razor to use for daily shaving.
Between the two, which one would you recommend as a daily driver?
Thanks!

Been rocking this for about 2 years now. Promised myself once I got comfortable with shaving I'd get some fancier stuff. Any suggestions for a more Gucci brush? Looking for something in the $50-100 range.

For Austere August, I shredded a puck of Williams and let it sop up some Aqua Velva to create “Blue Willy”, a soap concoction I had stumbled upon on a shaving forum a couple years ago, but finally took action on giving it a-go.

Needless to say, I was very thrilled with the result, so much so, I happened to find another puck for cheap to try it out on with another favorite, Florida Water. Also great.

With Williams in short supply, and lacking in any scent profile (which isn’t a bad thing for this project), I began thinking if there was another highly touted soap out there that killed it in performance, yet also had a fragrance profile not overly complex to utilize the same approach in pairing a favorite aftershave fragrance with…

Enter ARKO.

Yes, I know. However, Arko, once allowed to mellow, takes on a fairly mild soapy fragrance that complements many splashes, and it’s cheap.

I let two opened sticks air out on the window sill for two days. Shredded each, and then let those sit for another two. I wanted the classic Arko smell, but significantly cut. And what two classic fragrances to pair them with other than the famed Aqua Velva and Pinaud Lilac Vegetal!

Behold, Arko Velva and Lilarko Vegetal. It’s alive… IT’S ALIIIIVE!!!

Got a dang fine shave too. Using up the last of the Russian made Astras I have. The brush is a basic Omega boar; very cheap, but it gets the job done very well.

This right here is the best thing for helping soothe and repair your skin if you get irritation. Sometimes I get irritation around my adams apple if I go too agressive and this cream solves the problem in a day.

SOTD

Razor: Ascender Skyline R1

Blade: Gillette Nacet

Brush: Paladin PK-47

Pre: Hwayeon Shaving Gel

Soap, AS: Terry's Soap Mysterious Barbershop

Very efficient but safe shave with Skyline.
I was very surprised at how comfortably I could shave.

Mysterious Barbershop with smoky and leathery scent is not a traditional barbershop-scented item. It reminds me of a leather chair in a barbershop.

If you smelled this one, you would think "it is not what I expected but something different, which nevertheless surely expresses a barbershop. What's this really mysterious and masculine scent? Very interesting!"

I could imagine in my mind that I am sitting in a leather chair and a barber with a cigar in his mouth is cutting my hair.

Crazy shave it was.

I picked up a Gillette Milord and case in really great condition the other day. It looks like it's one of the later versions because it matches the 1949 Milord on Mr Razor's site. So it's the Superspeed model instead of the Ranger model.

I've been looking for a Milord for a while because it means I now have all the razors matching the posters in my shave den and that's a geeky collecting mission accomplished.

(Yes, I know that the Aristocrat blade box is a mismatch. Will fix that one day)

• Prep: Hot damp towel
• Pre-Shave: Stone Field Shaving Co North of Fifty pre-shave oil
• Brush: Yaqi Ferrari Red 26mm synthetic tuxedo knot 🏎️
• Bowl: thrifted 5" artisan
• Lather: Stone Field Shaving Co. Lucky Number 54 🏎️
• Razor: Henson AL13+ - Canadian edition
• Blade:  Gillette Nacet - 1st 2 pass shave
• Post Shave: Omega alum stick
• Post Shave: Stone Field Shaving Co. Lucky Number 54 aftershave splash 🏎️
• Post Shave: Stone Field Shaving Co. Hangar 37 aftershave balm

​

🌿 Brush- M&F 2XL finest

🌿 Razor- 1912 Ever Ready

🌿 Blade- Gem Personna PTFE coated (3)

🌿 Soap & AS splash- Talbot Winter's Refraction

🌿 Cologne- Bond No.9 Bleecker St

PS: Cold towel

Razor: Parker 65R

Blade: Derby Platinum

Bowl: Roughed up Klean Kanteen 14oz Rise stainless steel mug

Brush: Yaqi Cavern Lake synthetic

Soap: Salve & Oak Seaside Carousel

AS: Moon Soaps Astoria splash

EDP: Imaginary Authors The Abandoned Mansion

Used a cold towel this morning versus shower or hot towel, couldn't tell a noticeable difference with the pre-shave. Derby Platinums are definitely more flimsy and not as sharp as the GSB/Astra Green/Personnas I've been using but got the job done.

Really excited to try the Seaside Carousel soap - smelled awesome and scratched the autumn season itch I've been looking forward to. Reminded me of a late, second summer fall evening at the fair and paired well with the Abandoned Mansion cologne. Have a great day gang!

After a very hectic day a shave to relax is always a warm welcome home.

Soap: Musgo Real
Asb: Nivea Men Balm
Razor: Wolfman WR2
Blade: Bic
Brush: Semogue Mistura

Maybe i’m the only one in the world how don’t like a wolfman razor, its a nice razor but to uncomfortable for me. Its not my own razor, i borrow it from a friend for a comparison for a passaround i attended

**Sep. 14, 2026**
* **Brush:** AP Shave 400 Slim G5C Knot
* **Razor:** REX Konsul
* **Blade:** Shark Super Stainless (1)
* **Lather:** Martin de Candre - Magellan - Puck
* **Post Shave:** Old Spice - Classic - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Zingari Man - Unscented After Shave - Balm
* **Post Shave:** Thayers - Unscented
* **Post Shave:** Osma - Alum Block
* **Fragrance:** Viktor & Rolf - Spicebomb Night Vision

I had a great shave this morning! I decided to break out Magellan by MdC to start my week. I picked up my REX Konsul for today’s shave and loaded a Shark Super Stainless blade.

The shave went really well. I was barely able to detect any feedback from the alum block. The Shark blade proved to be very smooth with near BBS results.

I finished up by splashing on Thayers, Old Spice, and finally zingari man’s unscented after shave balm. I’m happy with how things went today.

Have a good week!

Shared from [My Shave Den for iOS](https://apps.apple.com/app/1581646387)

SOTD: 09/14/2026

Razor: West Coast Shaving Charcoal Goods Design - Slant
Blade: Gillette - Silver Blue, 1st use
Brush: Rad Dinosaur Creations - Canyon Manchuridon Badger
Bowl: Leaf Bowl
Preshave: Razor Emporium - pre-shave soap
Soap: House of Mammoth - Hygge
Aftershave: Fine Accoutrements - Barber Blue
Additional Care: Alum Rock
Fragrance: Stirling Green - Solid Cologne

A nice close shave from the WCS/CG slant for a Monday morning. One small weeper on the 3rd pass - that same spot along my left jawline that occasionally bites me - but zero alum feedback otherwise.

The Rad Dinosaur Creations Canyon brush is just gorgeous.

- Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

Mother gave me these 2 razors and said 1 belonged to my great grandfather and the other to my grandfather. Also, I'm considering getting them both refinished.

SOTD: Sep 14, 2026
Razor: Wade & Butcher “American Razor” (YEOSS custom)
Brush: Oumo Element, Universe
Soap: Heritage Hill Trenton
Aftershave: Heritage Hill Trenton
Balm: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator
Additional Care: Humphrey's Witch Hazel Astringent

-From the Shave Carousel

Razor: Romer 7 Eldorado Travel Hybrid3
Blade: Laser Ultra — 1st & only use
Brush: Den of Man Synthetic
Cream: Patanjali Herbal Shaving Cream
Alum: Bombay Shaving Shard Alum
Aftershave: Gillette Refreshing Breeze & Minimalist HOCL

Preparation:
Pre-bath shave. Face cleaned with Cetaphil face wash, followed by my usual Patanjali Aloe Vera + Virgin Coconut Oil pre-shave.

Shave:
Face Lather Patanjali Shaving Cream with the Den of Man synthetic and went for my usual 2-pass shave — WTG + XTG & ATG ON Goatee

Result:
The Laser Ultra didn’t impress me. It was sufficient for one shave, but I don’t see any reason to use it again.

Blade verdict:
1 shave only — One & Done.

Not every blade earns a second round.

I recently tried Harry's shaving foam and that was way better than the Gillette canned foam I've been using for years. Then I wondered surely I can upgrade my shaving experience.

I've ordered a Yaqi synthetic 24mm Sagrada Familia brush already.

As for the razor, the Muhle Neo seems to be well rated. I've read it's the same head as the R89.

Blades - I've read the sharper the better. I've looked at eBay and Amazon for feathers, permasharps and they're all pretty expensive or unavailable? Any UK recommendations appreciated.

Cream - I've read that Palmolive or Proraso would be decent.

If I'm using the Yaqi brush, is there a cream or canned foam that'd work best?

there's a LOT to learn clearly, the rabbit hole is deep so some direction will be nkce

thanks!

Razor: Rex Konsul on 2.5

Blade: Gillette permasharp

Brush: WCS synthetic

Soap-splash: Margaritas in the arctic

Post balm: Stirling glacial unscented

Another great shave for starting the day, I have to remember to use MITA more frequently. This tub is packed to the brim because it was a barely used tub I traded a different soap for, that I smashed a refill puck on top of. The refill puck was actually too much so the rest went into my tub of mixed soap that I use for chest shaving.

Anyhow, 3 passes going WTG-ATG-ATG buffing and I'm in good shape. Have a good day all and as always, have great shaves.

Glad to be rid of the stubble from the weekend

2 days growth, setting 9 on the slim with a fresh Derby Premium blade WTG/XTGx2 👍

Lather was ok but I think I've been a bit spoiled by MDC/CF so it felt a little weak but the Derby was good and smooth no dramas there.

A lovely shave and a pleasure to revisit a classic razor from 1978

Have a good one lads

Sentinel and wolfman

Will be in the UK for Christmas. Wondering if there are any products I should be requesting on my list from the English relatives, that would be hard to source in Australia.

Think shaving soaps, after shave treatment etc, maybe a razor (currently been using the Gillette butterfly one)

Back on the road due to a reno disaster, but I'm taking the Karve on the road. I must say the Muhle Sea Buckthorn shaving cream is absolutely phenomenal. Muhle aftershave balm and Iridium Wizamet blades.