How often should razor blades be changed?

In a professional barber setting, disposable razors and straight razor blades must be changed between every client for hygiene. This is a legal requirement in the UK. A single blade should never be used on more than one client. For personal use, change blades every 5-7 shaves or when they feel dull.

What type of razor is best for barber services?

Shavettes (straight razors with disposable blades) are the most practical for barber shops as they offer the precision of a straight razor with the hygiene of a fresh blade per client. Disposable razors are cheapest but less precise. Traditional straight razors require sterilisation between clients, which is impractical.

How much do razor blades cost per shave?

Disposable razor blades cost approximately 15-50p each. Shavette blades cost 10-25p each. Cartridge blades cost £1-2 each. With 1 blade per shave service, the blade cost per service ranges from 10p to £2. This should be factored into your service pricing. Buying in bulk reduces costs significantly.

How should used razor blades be disposed of?

Used razor blades must be placed in a yellow sharps container (sharps bin) immediately after use. Never put loose blades in general waste. When the sharps bin is three-quarters full, seal it and arrange collection through a licensed waste carrier. This is a legal requirement under UK health and safety regulations.

CutCalcs

Razor Calculator — Blade Usage & Cost Per Shave

Calculate razor blade usage, replacement schedules and service cost per shave.

Razor Type

Shave Services Per Day

Blades Per Service

Usually 1, head shaves may use 2

Working Days/Week

Cost Per Blade

Leave blank for typical cost

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates razor blade consumption and costs based on daily service volume, blades per service and working schedule.

The formula

Daily blades = Services per day x Blades per service

Monthly blades = Daily x Working days x 4.33

Monthly cost = Monthly blades x Cost per blade

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always perform a strand test before chemical services.