Did blades last longer in the 1960s?

Jogging my imperfect memory, it seems to me that I was changing DE blades about as often as I do now. So while the retail price was certainly lower, usage made the cost comparative to what it is now. None of them had the Teflon, iridium, wanky coatings extant blades have, so maybe the only reason they "lasted" longer was that we were ill-prepared to spend money on new ones.
 
Steve Bowles said:
Jogging my imperfect memory, it seems to me that I was changing DE blades about as often as I do now. So while the retail price was certainly lower, usage made the cost comparative to what it is now. None of them had the Teflon, iridium, wanky coatings extant blades have, so maybe the only reason they "lasted" longer was that we were ill-prepared to spend money on new ones.
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Gillette started using coatings in the early 60's with their Super Blue carbon blades and earliest stainless ones so I imagine you did and did not know it. Unless of course you are 95 or were shaving as a baby. Mind you I'm guessing your age Steve. Perhaps you could post your graduation photo (if not a cave painting) to give us a better idea of your age. :D ;)
 
Bogeyman said:
Gillette started using coatings in the early 60's with their Super Blue carbon blades and earliest stainless ones so I imagine you did and did not know it. Unless of course you are 95 or were shaving as a baby. Mind you I'm guessing your age Steve. Perhaps you could post your graduation photo (if not a cave painting) to give us a better idea of your age. :D;)
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I will be a grumpy old git of 69 on 3rd November.
 
I've just read that in the 70s/80s when cartridge blades came out the likes of Gillette and Wilkinson Sword delebertly produced less sharp, lower performance blades to make their cartrage razors seem better.
 
Colin Stenburge said:
I've just read that in the 70s/80s when cartridge blades came out the likes of Gillette and Wilkinson Sword delebertly produced less sharp, lower performance blades to make their cartrage razors seem better.
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I can't remember ever using a Wilkinson Sword blade that gave a good shave. The best thing about them was their commercials and the crossed swords.
 
The vintage English Wilkies I have (don't know which era from whence they hail) are simply the best blades I have ever experienced but I terminate their usage usually after 5 whip rounds the old physog and ration them thriftily. I have the vision of being a grumpy old man living a basic, solitary life with nothing but my old tech and these wonderful wily Wilikies. Matron doesn't know so Mum's the word!
 
Short answer ... no. Long answer... no. Gents just did not obsess over what was a daily chore for personal hygiene. If you did they just looked at you closely to see if they could detect any tin foil you may be wearing


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A sliding scale, in my case. When I first had to shave daily for work, not quite 50 years ago, I was young and my whiskers were too. Most blades seemed to last me from Monday to Friday, and perhaps Saturday, and, as they were relatively expensive on my pay, I eked them out anyway. As the old bristles hardened up, the blades ran out sooner. I also had sideburns, moustaches and "Piccadilly Weepers" at various times, and of course that reduced the area needing to be mowed, thus slightly increasing blade life. The other guaranteed method of ensuring they lasted was to grow a full beard; but I digress.

I've got a few 70's vintage blades, which I occasionally use, for old times' sake, but they don't perform much differently to my modern ones (the decent ones, that is, and not things like Zazas), and get the heave-ho after 3 days, one way or t'other.
 
Out of all the blades I've tried, I can only manage three shaves out of the blade, before it gets tuggy and uncomfortable. The only exception is a Feather blade, which gives me five shaves. This is in my Rockwell 6S with plate 6.

However, with my Muhle R41 (which I'm currently using primarily with Astra blades). Its one shave, one blade. If I try and get two shaves, it just tugs and pulls (which isn't something you want happening with the R41 :eek: )
 
Fido said:
I put a new Personna blade in every Monday. I really don't notice much difference on a Sunday. Have no wish to change the routine now.
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Sorry if I haven't been paying attention and if you've been around the whole time, I apologise but man, it's great to read your post, sir! The wisdom, humour, knowledge and sheer charisma you impart make you a huge figure in our community. The fact that you'll probably go onto deny all the above, pooh, pooh it and generally be all modest will only serve to make my point. How's that monster butterscotch Kent doing? You don't have to make it a present to me but if you insist, I'll not be able to resist despite my natural moral fortitude.

Anyhoo, good post and better still that it came from you.
 
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