@metal_shavings Highly Unscientific Blade Longevity Thread

This is a topic that I see comes up quite a bit. And it is really impossible to give any kind of definitive answer because there are so many different factors and everybody has different needs and criteria with blades. Some people have thick or heavier beards, sensitive skin, etc. So, just like about everything else that I do, this will be highly unscientific.

    I am basically just going to keep using a blade until I decide not to use it anymore. I'm not certain whether I will stop using it because of the loss of comfort or efficiency, or both. Or the loss of sharpness, if a blade gets a little tuggy, or I get a lot of irritation or burn from my alcohol based aftershaves. Or, for some reason, the shave just isn't quite as nice or enjoyable as it had been. It could be any or all of those reasons.

    I will list which razors I used the blades with and how many days growth that I had. I will list each shave that way, and my reasons for finally deciding to be done with the blade. In some cases, I could decide that I should've disposed of the blade sooner than I did. Obviously I will list that if I do, and the reason why. Sometimes just because you get one not so great shave, it doesn't mean that the blade is necessarily finished.

  Astra SP Green (Russia)

1. Karve Overlander - 3 Days Growth
2. Karve Christopher Bradley SB-E - 2 Days Growth
3. Carbon Cx-316L ++ Web Plate - 2 Days Growth
4. Carbon Cx-316L ++ Web Plate - 2 Days Growth
5. Fatip Grande OC - 3 Days Growth
6. Timeless Ti 0.95OC - 2 Days Growth
7. Razorock Lupo 127 - 2 Days Growth
8. Razorock Lupo 0.95 OC - 2 Days Growth
9. Karve Christopher Bradley SB-E - 2 Days Growth


     This was my return to try and get along with this blade. The SP Green earned the honor of being the first blade I didn't like. Each time I used it, I got nicked up. This was towards the beginning of my having started on this shaving journey, but I was far enough along that I could get close, comfortable shaves without being nicked. It had been many, many years since I used one. This time around I thought i was much better at this, better technique, pre-shave, etc. I had a solid routine that worked, so I figured if it happened again, it had to be the blade.

     This time around I was pleasantly surprised by the performance. Good shaves. Close, comfortable, and enjoyable. The last 3 shaves were a bit inconsistent for me. One was kind of eh, the next solid, then eh again. This was at shave 9 where I cut it off, but if I use the blade again, I will likely cut it off no later than 6 shaves. Still, great performance and longevity given the cost. They were generally available for around .99¢ a tuck at the time for the Russian made version. That breaks down to about .20¢ per blade and about .03¢ per shave. That's a bargain! The money you save goes great with that $400 razor!!! 

     I realize this is a very polarizing blade. People either love it, or don't. There doesn't seem to be any middleground. I was of the latter mindset, but I have been convinced. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences on this blade.   

  Astra SP Green (Russia)

1. Karve Overlander - 3 Days Growth
2. Karve Christopher Bradley SB-E - 2 Days Growth
3. Carbon Cx-316L ++ Web Plate - 2 Days Growth
4. Carbon Cx-316L ++ Web Plate - 2 Days Growth
5. Fatip Grande OC - 3 Days Growth
6. Timeless Ti 0.95OC - 2 Days Growth
7. Razorock Lupo 127 - 2 Days Growth
8. Razorock Lupo 0.95 OC - 2 Days Growth
9. Karve Christopher Bradley SB-E - 2 Days Growth


     This was my return to try and get along with this blade. The SP Green earned the honor of being the first blade I didn't like. Each time I used it, I got nicked up. This was towards the beginning of my having started on this shaving journey, but I was far enough along that I could get close, comfortable shaves without being nicked. It had been many, many years since I used one. This time around I thought i was much better at this, better technique, pre-shave, etc. I had a solid routine that worked, so I figured if it happened again, it had to be the blade.

     This time around I was pleasantly surprised by the performance. Good shaves. Close, comfortable, and enjoyable. The last 3 shaves were a bit inconsistent for me. One was kind of eh, the next solid, then eh again. This was at shave 9 where I cut it off, but if I use the blade again, I will likely cut it off no later than 6 shaves. Still, great performance and longevity given the cost. They were generally available for around .99¢ a tuck at the time for the Russian made version. That breaks down to about .20¢ per blade and about .03¢ per shave. That's a bargain! The money you save goes great with that $400 razor!!! 

     I realize this is a very polarizing blade. People either love it, or don't. There doesn't seem to be any middleground. I was of the latter mindset, but I have been convinced. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences on this blade.   

Brother, I had EXACTLY the same experience with this blade. Early on, they sucked for me. I had 100 blades and used 10.left them alone for 10 years, but revisited for the hell of it 2 years back. Had great shaves and now they are a regular blade for my Karve and Timeless razors. I go 3, could use for more shaves but spoil myself with tossing early to insure no irritation.

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk

  Astra SP Green (Russia)

1. Karve Overlander - 3 Days Growth
2. Karve Christopher Bradley SB-E - 2 Days Growth
3. Carbon Cx-316L ++ Web Plate - 2 Days Growth
4. Carbon Cx-316L ++ Web Plate - 2 Days Growth
5. Fatip Grande OC - 3 Days Growth
6. Timeless Ti 0.95OC - 2 Days Growth
7. Razorock Lupo 127 - 2 Days Growth
8. Razorock Lupo 0.95 OC - 2 Days Growth
9. Karve Christopher Bradley SB-E - 2 Days Growth


     This was my return to try and get along with this blade. The SP Green earned the honor of being the first blade I didn't like. Each time I used it, I got nicked up. This was towards the beginning of my having started on this shaving journey, but I was far enough along that I could get close, comfortable shaves without being nicked. It had been many, many years since I used one. This time around I thought i was much better at this, better technique, pre-shave, etc. I had a solid routine that worked, so I figured if it happened again, it had to be the blade.

     This time around I was pleasantly surprised by the performance. Good shaves. Close, comfortable, and enjoyable. The last 3 shaves were a bit inconsistent for me. One was kind of eh, the next solid, then eh again. This was at shave 9 where I cut it off, but if I use the blade again, I will likely cut it off no later than 6 shaves. Still, great performance and longevity given the cost. They were generally available for around .99¢ a tuck at the time for the Russian made version. That breaks down to about .20¢ per blade and about .03¢ per shave. That's a bargain! The money you save goes great with that $400 razor!!! 

     I realize this is a very polarizing blade. People either love it, or don't. There doesn't seem to be any middleground. I was of the latter mindset, but I have been convinced. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences on this blade.   

Brother, I had EXACTLY the same experience with this blade. Early on, they sucked for me. I had 100 blades and used 10.left them alone for 10 years, but revisited for the hell of it 2 years back. Had great shaves and now they are a regular blade for my Karve and Timeless razors.  I go 3, could use for more shaves but spoil myself with tossing early to insure no irritation.

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk

    I started this journey around the end of summerish 2010. I'm not sure when I tried the SP's, but it was closer to 2010 then now for sure. I was of the school of tossing most blades after 3 shaves or so. I had read somewhere about tossing them before you get to the bad shave. I thought that made sense so I started doing it. Then RayClem said something of the sort that I shouldn't toss them at some random set number. Obviously, all blades will have different longevity. So I am doing this to get a feel for how long they last for me and hopefully as a basic guideline for others who may not have pushed or tried to test the longevity. Obviously, the longevity of the same blade, even used with the same razor, could still vary for everyone.

I may have missed it but was the Astra SP you used recently from a different batch then your original ones years ago? It seems many people didn’t care for Astras years ago and then tried them again within the last 5 years and were surprised at how well they shaved.

I don’t have any really old Astras but my older 2017 era ones don’t seem as sharp as my newer 2020-2022 era ones. But I’ve noticed a big difference in sharpness from batch to batch even on the newer ones. They are all very smooth and great shaving blades but some are mediocre sharpness and some are quite sharp and one batch I have even feels as sharp as Nacets but smoother.

I havent experienced this large of a variance with any other blade that I recall testing. I have noticed slight variation from batch to batch with other blades but usually it’s very minimal. Most blades are fairly consistent but still have their differences from date to date.

Also on price .99c per tuck isn’t bad but these could be had for around $7-8 per 100 a couple years ago and still can be had for close to that if you get the India ones. That would be around .35-.40c per tuck.

My minimal experience with the new Indian ones was quite surprising. Only 1 shave with each SP and SS but they felt sharp and smooth. Better then most blades I’ve tried. I’d give a slight nod to the SS as being slightly sharper but both were very close. No idea how well they hold up after 4-5 shaves but based on the initial shave I plan on ordering a few boxes after I’m done stocking up on Russian blades.

I may have missed it but was the Astra SP you used recently from a different batch then your original ones years ago?  It seems many people didn’t care for Astras years ago and then tried them again within the last 5 years and were surprised at how well they shaved. 

I don’t have any really old Astras but my older 2017 era ones don’t seem as sharp as my newer 2020-2022 era ones.  But I’ve noticed a big difference in sharpness from batch to batch even on the newer ones.  They are all very smooth and great shaving blades but some are mediocre sharpness and some are quite sharp and one batch I have even feels as sharp as Nacets but smoother.

I havent experienced this large of a variance with any other blade that I recall testing.  I have noticed slight variation from batch to batch with other blades but usually it’s very minimal.  Most blades are fairly consistent but still have their differences from date to date.

You know, very good question. I have some from many years ago, but also got some in the last year or so with razor purchases. I know they are Russian, but not sure if it was my old batch or the new. I did open the tuck, so they could have been newer. I do have one tuck from India but have not used them. So, short answer, I have no idea!!! Glad I could clarify that for ya.

Also on price .99c per tuck isn’t bad but these could be had for around $7-8 per 100 a couple years ago and still can be had for close to that if you get the India ones. That would be around .35-.40c per tuck.

My minimal experience with the new Indian ones was quite surprising. Only 1 shave with each SP and SS but they felt sharp and smooth. Better then most blades I’ve tried. I’d give a slight nod to the SS as being slightly sharper but both were very close. No idea how well they hold up after 4-5 shaves but based on the initial shave I plan on ordering a few boxes after I’m done stocking up on Russian blades.

I have seen the Indian version of the SP's for as low as .69¢ They are a great bargain if they work for you, no doubt.

I may have missed it but was the Astra SP you used recently from a different batch then your original ones years ago?  It seems many people didn’t care for Astras years ago and then tried them again within the last 5 years and were surprised at how well they shaved. 

I don’t have any really old Astras but my older 2017 era ones don’t seem as sharp as my newer 2020-2022 era ones.  But I’ve noticed a big difference in sharpness from batch to batch even on the newer ones.  They are all very smooth and great shaving blades but some are mediocre sharpness and some are quite sharp and one batch I have even feels as sharp as Nacets but smoother.

I havent experienced this large of a variance with any other blade that I recall testing.  I have noticed slight variation from batch to batch with other blades but usually it’s very minimal.  Most blades are fairly consistent but still have their differences from date to date.

You know, very good question. I have some from many years ago, but also got some in the last year or so with razor purchases. I know they are Russian, but not sure if it was my old batch or the new. I did open the tuck, so they could have been newer. I do have one tuck from India but have not used them. So, short answer, I have no idea!!! Glad I could clarify that for ya.

No worries, I just thought it may be helpful to figure out why they were working better now. The blades/wrappers should look different. The new ones should have wording all over the package if they were made in past 4-5 years. And be single wrapped.

The ones from circa 2017 were plain wrapped and also had a laser etching on the blade itself instead of ink. I don’t have any from 10+ years ago but wouldn’t be surprised if the really old ones were double wrapped like the old GSB.

     I swear I am working on this!!! I have 3 blades in rotation now that I'm going through. Maybe I should've just use one or two blades and I would be able to post a bit more often. I waited until I had at least one blade finished and a couple others started before I made my initial post. I also have one blade right now that has lasted way longer than I thought it would have. I thought I would have been done with it five shaves ago easily and it is still going strong. Once I finish with this particular blade, I think I'm going to try to concentrate on just one blade and maybe work a second one in here and there to get another one started as I go and hopefully I'll be able to post a little bit more frequently here.