What I want to know is what brand and model of blade razor do you use and how often do you change the cartridge. Also, it would be helpful if you would note what part of your body you shave with it, since the more area covered, the more often the cartridge will have to be changed. I thought it would be nice to have this kind of information compiled for comparison.
I shave my butt daily with a Gillette M3 Power and get about 8-12 days worth out of each cartridge.
When I didnt have laser performed on me, I use to shave every other day using Gillette Power (the brand with 3 blades) , i shaved my entire face, (alot of dark thick black hair) and the blade lasted me about 1-2 weeks. I cut myself alot.
Apart from that, I use the newest Gillette Power blades and shave my stomach/(down-there-area)/armpits/little back Once a week and the blade last me about a month or more.
With the M3 Power, I used a blade for 2 head shaves and maybe a body shave (arms and legs). With the Fusion Power I do 3 head shaves and maybe a body shave. I suspect that I can go longer after reading the posts so far! When I do my legs there is hardly any hair on the razor, even after doing both legs so I should not count that as a use.
Do you wait until the blade drags or nicks you before you change it? Or do you just decide on a certain amount of use before changing cartridges?
RJC2001
With the M3 Power, I used a blade for 2 head shaves and maybe a body shave (arms and legs). With the Fusion Power I do 3 head shaves and maybe a body shave. I suspect that I can go longer after reading the posts so far! When I do my legs there is hardly any hair on the razor, even after doing both legs so I should not count that as a use.
Do you wait until the blade drags or nicks you before you change it? Or do you just decide on a certain amount of use before changing cartridges?
RJC2001
I just go until it seems like it isn’t shaving as close or takes more passes to get a close shave. That’s part of the reason I started this thread- to see how others judge when to replace cartridges.
Hi:
I would think that if you washed the area well to soften the hairs first and used a good quality gel shaving cream you would get more shaves out of a blade. The point being that it would reduce the friction from dulling the blade quicker.
I would agree with using it till it did not shave as well anymore. Sometimes those little teflon strips they put on the blade are a good indicator of when it is time to change the blade.
I have been using the Venus Divine for the body and a gillette 3 blade with the pivoting head for other areas.
Alicia
Hi:
I would think that if you washed the area well to soften the hairs first and used a good quality gel shaving cream you would get more shaves out of a blade. The point being that it would reduce the friction from dulling the blade quicker.
I would agree with using it till it did not shave as well anymore. Sometimes those little teflon strips they put on the blade are a good indicator of when it is time to change the blade.
I have been using the Venus Divine for the body and a gillette 3 blade with the pivoting head for other areas.
Alicia
I was wondering about those blue tinted strips and how good an indicator of blade life they are. Mine are white after 2 head shaves. Is the blade really toast, or do they design the strips to lose color quickly so we’ll use blades faster?
So that brings up more questions: How many of you rely on the color of the lube strip (normally blue) as an indicator of when to change blades? If you don’t, how many shaves do you go after the strip loses color before replacement?
RJC2001
Hi:
I don’t go by the color so much as the wear on the edges of those teflon strips, plus how well it shaves.
I guess the story is that “your mileage may vary”.
I picked up some Schick Quatro for women on sale today.
The shaver plus 4 extra blades for 8 dollars. It seemed like a very good buy. I was using the Venus Divine.
Alicia
I was wondering about those blue tinted strips and how good an indicator of blade life they are. Mine are white after 2 head shaves. Is the blade really toast, or do they design the strips to lose color quickly so we’ll use blades faster?
So that brings up more questions: How many of you rely on the color of the lube strip (normally blue) as an indicator of when to change blades? If you don’t, how many shaves do you go after the strip loses color before replacement?
RJC2001
I used my last M3 cartridge for 14 or 15 days and the strip never did turn white. I only use it on my butt and my butt is kind of skinny <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> , so I don’t have much area to cover. I also do as Alicia suggested, wash the area and shave using shaving cream in the shower.
14 or 15 uses was pushing it because the last couple of shaves took quite a few passes- I should have changed the cartridge at around 12 uses, if not sooner.
Hi:
I don’t go by the color so much as the wear on the edges of those teflon strips, plus how well it shaves.
I guess the story is that “your mileage may vary”.
I picked up some Schick Quatro for women on sale today.
The shaver plus 4 extra blades for 8 dollars. It seemed like a very good buy. I was using the Venus Divine.
Alicia
That’s a pretty good razor, and they seem to be on sale more than Gillette.
There is also a Quattro Power, and Quattro Titanium. Has anyone tried those?
RJC2001
I go through my blades so fast. Typically about a week, shaving my legs everyday. In the summer I shave my legs twice a day and I change blades every other day. I was also shaving my bikini area, which is no longer an issue thanks to laser hair removal.
For the face, I go through a Gillette Mach 3 once a week. They’re good for about five shaves on my face.
For everywhere else I used Venus Vibrance cartridges for a while, but now switched to Venus Devine. I don’t think there’s much of a difference. I just like the cartridges to match the handle. How long do they last? Jeez, with all the electrolysis and laser I’ve had, one cartridge lasts at least a month. I don’t think I can be compared to the normal user.
So now for face, I use a Venus Vibrance handle with Mach 3 cartridges. I just completely dislike the M3 black metal handle. It gave me hand cramps because I had to hang onto it so hard when it was wet. Plus, the on/off button is in the way, and I always pressed it inadvertantly.
For body areas, I switched to the dark blue/white Venus Devine handle and cartridges. I think it’s easier to grab onto, lighter, and can be moved more quickly. The vibrating thing is good for higher hair density, but with scant hair, it’s really not necessary. And if I ever drop it, with no motor or batteries, it lands better without breaking.
I personally think the Venus Devine is being targeted to women and body shaving men alike. On the other Venus packages, it says ‘For Women’. On the Devine, there’s nothing like that. The dark blue color and the packaging makes it easier for men to take it to the cashier. I think it’s intentional. Those guys at Gillette market with way too much savvy for it to be left to chance.
Mantaray
No idea about the powered version but I have the Titanium, had the regular, and think it lasts a bit longer. I shave my face and neck every other day and one blade will last me roughly 3 weeks, give or take, before I can feel it getting rough.
I don’t know if the cryo’d blades really do make a difference or if it’s just some crazy hype, but I got some of those in Fusion blades since I like that shaver better for my legs/arms and I get a month’s worth out of one cartridge.