Razor Blade Sharpness Summary with Comparison Chart

Most people use disposable razors because the product is convenient. The only problem is that their design also makes them terrible for the environment.

You typically get a few good shaves from a single disposable razor. Once you get past the third one, it’s often time to start using a new one.

Even if you use replacement cartridges, you’re likely spending about $3 to get 12 shaves with the best products sold today. When you need to take care of a beard, your legs, or another extensive shaving, it might take more than one razor to get the job finished.

Understanding which brands produce the sharpest blades can help you maximize your grooming investment instead of accepting the cost of replacement cartridges or disposable razors.

Razor Blade Sharpness Summary with Comparison Chart

Every new razor offers the chance to have a smooth shave. Some products, such as the Super Tian Li Blue Blades, deliver a fine edge that remains durable for long-lasting benefits. The best way to preserve the edge on any brand is to keep the metal away from the air by using an appropriate oil.

You can use a pre-shave oil, mineral oil, vegetable oil, or baby oil to prevent your razors from oxidizing. It also helps to leave your product face-down after every use while keeping it away from moisture or water.

Another strategy that keeps your razor blades sharp is to coat the product with some aftershave balm after the product dries.

Even when you take all the appropriate steps, your disposable razors will eventually dull and need to get thrown away. You can either keep purchasing your preferred brand or look for an alternative with more sharpness and durability when that happens.

If you find yourself in the latter category, this guide provides the information you need to make the right choice for your next razor.

Comparison of Today’s Top Razor Blades

When you need a clean shave, the best results always come from a sharp razor. The only problem is that some blades become dull almost immediately after use.

If you’re looking for a durable product that can help your skin continue feeling smooth to the touch, here are the different options that are available today and how they perform.

The following chart uses a 100-point scale to rate each event.

RAZOR NAME	New Blade Sharpness	Shave #1 Sharpness	Shave #2 Sharpness	Shave #3 Sharpness
Astra Superior Platinum	69	66	64	60
BIC Chrome Platinum	63	58	50	45
Big Ben Super Stainless	60	53	52	50
Bolzano Superinox	69	65	64	60
Crystal Razors	64	57	55	52
Derby Premium	71	64	62	60
Feather Razors	52	45	42	39
Gillette 7’O’Clock Permasharp	65	55	52	50
Gillette 7’O’Clock SharpEdge	66	63	61	59
Gillette 7’O’Clock Super Platinum	65	57	54	51
Gillette Nacet Stainless	59	55	52	50
Gillette Mach 3 Razors	70	65	60	55
Gillette Platinum	65	58	55	52
Kai Stainless Steel Razors	73	62	59	57
Merkur Razors	73	71	66	64
Rockwell Razors	74	71	68	65
Super Tian Li Blue Blades	87	81	75	73
Treet Carbon – Black Beauty	72	71	59	58

How to Keep Your Razor Blades Sharp

The problem with disposable razor blades is that many people hear the name and assume the product’s quality. If the item is meant to be thrown away, how long will it actually serve its intended purpose?

The problem with most disposable razor blades is that they get clogged with skin cells and hair. If you allow these items to remain in the product between shaves, you’ll lessen the quality of each successive use.

You should clean and sharpen each razor after every use to maximize its longevity.

The only things you need to make your razors last longer are some water and an old piece of denim. If you have a pair of jeans lying around that don’t get worn at all, you can also use them for this purpose.

Once you have the items and your razor, follow these steps to start sharpening those disposable razor blades.

1. Place the denim on a flat, smooth surface.
2. Point the razor away from you as you run it along the material’s surface quickly – about 15 times in total.
3. Move to another part of the denim and repeat step two, always keeping the blades away from you.
4. Push the blades firmly with each swipe, ensuring that the edge isn’t catching on the material.
5. After you’ve finished these steps, give the razor a rinse with hot water. Allow them to dry completely before reusing.

When you run the razor in reverse on denim, it’ll remove the dirt particles, skin cells, and hair that stays trapped between the blades. It also sharpens the edge to give you a closer shave without excessive irritation.

You can continue using this technique to sharpen your disposable razors until they start rusting or wear out entirely.

If you don’t have any denim, you can at least push out the old stubble that gets trapped by using an old toothbrush to clean the product. Give it a good rinse after, and please avoid tapping the razor’s edge against the sink because that action dulls the blade rapidly.

The other option is to invest in an electric razor, although some people have an adverse skin reaction to those products.

Tips for Shaving Correctly

Shaving can be a challenging experience for men and women! It can also feel like a necessity when you have unwanted hair creating an unsightly look.

The following tips from today’s top dermatologists can help you get a great shave with virtually any razor. Although everyone has different skin types to manage, the processes described here generally work for everyone.

Wet Your Skin:	▪️ Before you start shaving, take a couple of minutes to wet your skin and any hair you want to remove. ▪️ The best time to shave is right after you’ve taken a shower since your skin is moist, warm, and free of excess oil and dead skin cells. ▪️ Your razor should experience significantly less clogging.
Apply Creams or Gels:	▪️ It helps to apply a high-quality shaving cream or gel to the area you plan to shave. ▪️ If you have sensitive or dry skin to manage, look for products that have a “sensitive skin” notation on the label.
Directional Shaving:	▪️ When you start shaving, it helps to work in the direction that the hair grows. ▪️ Following this pattern reduces the risk of having razor burns or bumps develop. ▪️ It can be challenging for guys to do this with their neck hair, but small strokes usually lessen the irritation and discomfort.
Rinse Each Time:	▪️ It helps to rinse your razor after each swipe. ▪️ Don’t bang it into the sink or counter to free up the stubble or hair. ▪️ Please remember to turn the water off while shaving to reduce waste.
Store It Dry:	▪️ Razors should get stored in dry areas when you’re between shaves. Not only does this step reduce the risks of corrosion and dulling, but it also prevents bacteria from growing on its surface. ▪️ The goal should be to avoid leaving it on a wet sink, in the shower, or the bathtub.
Shaving with Acne:	▪️ Shaving often irritates the skin, which can make acne worse. Although it usually happens when shaving the face, it can affect any part of the body. ▪️ You might need to experiment with a few different razors to see which one works the best for you. ▪️ Always try to use the sharpest blade possible while using light strokes to prevent nicks. Never try to shave pimples away.

Even when you take these steps daily to preserve the quality of your shave and razor integrity, some disposables might need to get tossed after five to seven uses.

You can keep using the razor, but you’ll experience more irritation because the edge eventually wears out.

How Often Should I Shave?

When you want to have a clean shave, most people need to shave every other day to achieve smooth results. If you need trimming or styling, you can stretch that timeframe to about three to five days. When you address areas other than your face, legs, or armpits, once per week is usually enough.

If you want to grow a full beard, you might think that you get to skip shaving. You’d be wrong!

Most guys trim their beards along the top and bottom to create a distinct and cohesive look. You’ll use a razor to remove the hair along the upper cheeks and lower neck – unless your goal is to look like a cave dweller.

When you have a full beard, you can get away with shaving about once per week without looking shaggy or disheveled.

The actual time needed between shave depends on your preferred result and your genetics. Even some areas of the body produce hair faster than others. Your armpits experience about 50% faster growth than your legs, and guys can have a 5 o’clock shadow appear on the face after shaving in the morning.

Are There Times When I Shouldn’t Shave?

Although shaving makes sense when your skin is healthy, there are times when it would be inappropriate to use a razor.

Anyone with a skin rash, sores, or an open wound should consider postponing a shave until enough healing occurs to prevent more irritation or a bigger injury. This issue can be difficult with an extensive acne outbreak, especially when you have long hair around different pimples and nodules.

When your skin is more vulnerable, a razor’s nick could be enough to increase your personal risks for infection development.

If you have ingrown hairs or razor burn that stings, it helps to wait until the skin clears up before shaving again. When you proceed with these issues, you’ll add more irritation to the mix.

If you want to avoid skin irritation when shaving, it can help to exfoliate to prepare your body for the experience. You’ll have fewer dead skin cells get trapped between the blades, potentially increasing the life of your razor.

An alcohol-free moisturizer applied to the skin after shaving is also helpful. A sharp, clean razor is always your best bet to prevent future problems.

My Thoughts on Razor Blade Sharpness

My family always looks at me and cringes when I step up to the mirror to shave. I grew up in a home where water access wasn’t always guaranteed, which meant I learned how to manage a dry shave relatively well.

I know the recommendation is to avoid dry shaving whenever possible because it should be an occasional convenience. For me, I just don’t like the feeling of heavy creams or oils on my skin, and there’s enough sensitivity that hot water feels uncomfortable.

If you prefer a dry shave and get lots of irritation, I recommend using a simple coconut oil to prevent injury. You can hold the skin taut in one hand, shave with the grain, and rinse out the razor to avoid having it become dull.

Once you have finished with the shaving process, you can apply more coconut oil or your favorite alcohol-free aftershave to feel refreshed.

You also have the option to dry shave with an electric razor. I switch to this option for a couple of months if I’ve had a full beard. The benefit of having a product like the Panasonic ARC5 Electric Shaver is that you can take it with you almost anywhere. Instead of having the three swirling circles, I like how the shape and feel are similar to a standard razor.

Shaving should feel like a moment of personal bliss. When you have a sharp blade available, you can create that time for yourself whenever your personal style needs a touch-up.