I do other things while I’m using my electric razor so for me it saves time.

I'm surprised no one has asked the obvious question about multi blade razors.

If the first blade cuts the whisker, what are blades #2, 3 and 4 doing after the fact?

They are there for the ninjas.

I used Gillette Sensor two blade forever, probably 6 - 8 years. Then switched to Schick Quattro, not even sure why. Tried the titanium blades next, they were fantastic. It didn't even feel like shaving. My wife then somehow managed to throw away my razor (huh?) so I tried the Fusion. Hate it. It pulls on my beard if it's more than two days old and kills me. I am on the last blade now with a new Schick Hydro waiting in the wings. They make that in both a 3 and 5 blade version, I'll probably try both out.

Providing additional profit to the manufacturer.

The theory, backed up by no end of animations but zero actual film footage AFAIK, is that the first blade pulls the hair out a bit then the second blade snips it a bit lower than it would otherwise have been able to reach.

Blades 3 through N have never been explained to my knowledge.

Interesting thread. I've tried electrics ... they don't leave me with as clean a feeling as blades. The shave is not nearly as close, smooth or comfortable.

I have used Gillette razors for years, then Schick starting giving away Quatros. (with coupon 2 razors and blades for practically nothing.) I was shocked. The Schick has a heftier chassis, handles better, and with the Titanium blades gave the smoothest, closest and easiest shave I've ever had.

Converted, I picked up a Schick Hydro 5. It's a step backward. Not as good as the Schick Titanium 4 blade. As to what blades 2+ do, one pass with a single blade doesn't come close to doing it for me. Even with the 4 or 5 blade razor, I first shave down, and then up. It's only after the second pass in the opposite direction that I get a really close shave. I'd say blades 2+ are working.

Barbassol original shaving cream. 99 cents. Best stuff out there.

Hmm, I wonder if the Quattro titanium blades will fit the Hydro chassis.... Although I doubt it. I haven't tried the Hydro blades yet, but the Quattro titanium was great.

I wonder who what they used as a shaving dummy to test all this out?

Ever notice how the rise in shaving demonstrations on TV happened about the same time that yeti/bigfoot/sasquatch sightings dropped off ?

Coincidence ? I think not.