I've heard it mentioned idly that after a couple shaves, guys flip over the blade with the intent of getting a couple more shaves out of it at the same quality as the first two. I do this and have found that I get maybe 4 shaves out of a Red Israeli Personna. I have no idea if flipping the blade makes any difference, but it seems like it would. I figure, it's like honing a blade, you hone on both sides to perfect the edge. However, based on my observations during my last blade and my current one, despite flipping the blade over, shave number 4 doesn't seem to be as good as the rest. Sometimes even by shave 3 there's a minuscule degradation. So, what do you guys think: Does turning the blade over get you the same quality shave as the first 1 or 2, potentially extending the life of the blade for a few more shaves? Does it slow the degradation a bit, or not at all?
Both sides of the blade are part of the cutting action with each stroke. They are both getting worn down constantly. Maybe not at the same rate, but the minuscule difference is not going to significantly change the blade life... IMHO
possibly can 'be ... normally with a knife you are 4-5 shaves, and then if 'good blade do not' even have to turn you believe, just clean it properly ...
I have found that when I flip, the quality improves noticibly, but is not as good as the best shave, but good enough. I flip sometimes, but don't bother others, even though I should. I view NOS blades as a precious resource where all the use should be extracted from them......
I can't remember where I read it, but when I first started wet shaving a question similar to this was asked. Several of the replies suggested that the blade not be flipped, so I never started the practice. Whether or not it was sound advice I don't know. I do know that folks getting 5, 6, 12, and 17 shaves out of one blade do so through hand stropping. But I don't really bother with that either. I shave with a blade three times and toss it in the blade bank. I can get four shaves out of a Feather, but that is pushing it. But hey, if flipping works for you then that is all that really matters.
iridium strip with my super I arrived at 3 shavings and virtually all the same ... but 'not the first and' the best ever I think ....
this, this right here, is the scientific answer you're looking for. I think there's a placebo effect of flipping the blade, though. The first few times I tried it, I thought it was making a difference, but on one particular instance where I thought I flipped the blade but ended up using the same side and thinking my shave was better, but the next time I went to flip realized I never flipped it, it was on the same side somehow (at this point I was testing so I marked one side with a sharpie). So I don't believe it's significantly any better this, this right here, though, does help a lot. I've never gotten more than 8 shaves on a blade, though I think once I could have, but hand stropping has made a significant difference on many occasions. for me. YMMV and all again, YMMV and all, if it helps you mentally focus on getting a better shave, then it will probably make a difference but, again, YMMV
Hand stropping works for me. I can get 5+ shaves on a blade if I hand strop. Its been most useful for extending SE blade life.
Are you guys hand stropping DE blades? How do you go about it? I've never heard of such a thing. I'm all for frugality, but that's seriously hardcore! I've seen it with SE's of course, but when DE blades can be purchased at $ 0.20 per blade, or in my case $0.13 for the red Israelis, isn't it a bit more trouble than it's worth?
Hand stropping works for me. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogq4wfpT7hc Now before you say what many others have said, "Oh, my, but that looks too dangerouse!" I'll say this - yes, any blade will cut you to the bone if you're not careful handling it, even when changing it out. I have never cut myself hand stropping or changing blades... yet
Steve posted a good video for it.. there is also a thread here on another method: The Rolls-Stropping method
Really? Just a few passes like that and it gives that much life back? I'll give it a try and see for myself! I was imagining a much more involved process for some reason. I'll admit though, using the underside of my forearm would scare the crap out of me! Thanks for the video and link!
Same here. Although you wouldn't know it by looking at my goatee. I get maaaybe 4 shaves, and that's mostly because I feel wasteful otherwise, it isn't a great shave. I made the mistake of forgetting how many shaves I'd gotten one one blade recently. I learned, the hard way, that 4 is pushing it, and 5...buuurns. :angry021
