I use the 2 blade Gillette. A year ago, I bought, a 1200 grit diamond 
sharpening "stone" It is great for sharpening tools like wood chisels, 
and have is used it to to polish the ends of glass fiber optic cable. 
Haven't tried to sharpen razor, but might work, all you need is a little 
honing or strapping like the barbers used to have on the sides of their 
chairs for touching up their straight edge razor. Thought I saw the 
other day on the TV, an informertial on a razor that came with a  DYI 
sharpener. :)

M. Adam Davis wrote:
> On Tue, Feb 17, 2009 at 9:51 PM, me <chris@gavin-egan.com> wrote:
>   
>> Is this a normal amount of shaves from a blade, am i hoping for too much
>> longevity considering the cost of these blades?
>>     
>
> Before I started doing electric I was using a two or three blade
> gillette, and I could go for about a week before I noticed the razor
> dragging too much.  Cheap razors only last a day or two.  If you're
> going to do this for a long time, try out several brands and models to
> get an idea of what the differences are.
>
>   
>> Is there a better way to get more from the blades.
>>     
>
> Make sure you're using a good shaving cream, and shaving a beard
> that's already been steamed - most people do it in the shower or
> immediately after.  If you shave without getting it well wetted with
> hot water it's going to go very poorly, and dull the blade very
> quickly.
>
> Rinse the blade while shaving very frequently - one stroke an inch or
> three long, then rinse.  Tapping will sometimes clear hair out of the
> razor that the water didn't grab.
>
> Beyond that, no.  When a blade is dull it's dull.  It gets dull
> through shaving, and if you're already doing all the appropriate
> shaving techniques then you can't slow the process further.
>
>   
>> Am i hoping for too smooth ?
>>     
>
> There's a certain technique.  I always shaved against the grain and
> got close enough.  I know some people recommend once with the grain,
> and once against.  There are tips, tricks, and instructions on various
> places online.
>
>   
>> Finally would a ultrasonic cleaner keep the blades better because they dull
>> from bacteria or simply cutting action ?
>>     
>
> I doubt it.  The bacteria on your face are not so good at eating
> through metal, especially when there's no real food there.  Make sure
> the razor has a good place to dry so it doesn't remain damp for more
> than an hour or two after use.  Shake the water out when done.
>
>   
>> (I dont have an ultrasonic cleaner, so i can't test this hypothosis)
>> Or, do i need to put the shaving head under a wire pyramid (any believers
>> out there - I hope not considering where i am posting this)
>>     
>
> Only if the wire pyramid automatically changes the blades for you daily.
>
>   
>> Your thoughts on this would be great.
>>     
>
> I use an electric shaver - something similar to this Norelco 3 head style:
>
> http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/norelco/cc/_productid_7810XL_18_US_NORELCO/Electric-razor+7810XL
>
> It was $75 or so, and I haven't changed the blades in two years.  They
> need changing, no doubt, but they still cut through it all and I don't
> get cuts or nicks as I did with the other style of shaver or the
> razors.
>
> No matter what you choose, though, realize that it takes 2 weeks or so
> for your face to become used to a new style of shaving.  Every time
> I've switched I would get razer burn for a week, and then I'd be fine
> until I switched again.
>
> -Adam
>   
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