The growth in popularity of the beard and designer stubble has meant that where once, razors were used daily and the heads changed regularly, there’s now the potential for a much longer gap between shaves. So, when should you change your razor? After all, no one wants to shave with a blunt blade.

How many shaves will my razor last for?

Modern razors are designed to last for between 5-10 shaves. The question is, after a long break, will you razor still cut it?

In theory, yes, but as with most things in life, it’s down to personal preference and how thick your beard is. Gillette, who admittedly make their living selling razors, say you should change yours every 5-7 shaves.

Bulldog Original Bamboo Razor

Bulldog Original Bamboo Razor

For some that might seem reasonable, for others either too soon or too late.

Each time you shave, the delicate cutting edge of your razor will become slightly duller, reducing its capability to provide you with a close shave.

As the blades blunt they will start to pull at the hairs, rather than slicing straight through them, which can result in a painful shave and an irritated face.

How Do I Make My Razor Last Longer?

A big part of the problem is the amount of debris left in the razor head: hair, soap, dead skin. If you’re tempted to remove it with a towel, don’t. Instead, rinse the head during and after the shave with hot water.

There’s also body hair to consider. If you shave your chest, arms or pubes, you should be doing so with a separate razor. Bacteria can spread quickly on a razor blade and if you cut yourself, it has the potential to become infected.

As a last resort, you can invest in a razorblade sharpener. Razor Pit’s sharpener uses high friction silicon to refresh your blades and claims to keep them sharp for six times as long.