Flipping a blade over....

I have been shaving with a DE razor for a little under a year. I usually replace my blades (Derby) every 7 days which happens to be every Saturday . Over the last month I have been flipping the blade over (side labeled 1-2 to 3-4) on Wednesday and it appears to be as sharp as when I replace the blade or sharper than the previous side.. I was wondering if someone else would give this a try and see if they are getting the same result. I'd like to hear some feedback on what others observe

 

I've been flipping my blade after every shave for years.
After every shave I remove the blade, hand strop it, then drop it into the next day's razor with the other side up.
Does it make a difference? No idea, but I figure it can't hurt, might help.

 

I'm in Steve's camp on this one, although I just randomly drop the blade back in. I can't say that I've noticed a difference, but it makes me feel better. I'm sure stropping both sides has more effect than the actual flipping of the blade.

 

The issue of blade flipping is controversial, and there are knowlegeable folks on each side of the issue.

The most we can say is if you feel it extends the durability and effectiveness of the blade, then do it.

 

You can do anything you want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else (except flipping blades).

 

I flip as well. (I'm flipped anyway, so I think it fits! ). It don't hurt, and it may help (at least I kid myself into believing... ).

 

You know what?
Im with you, I shave every day and have never flipped. I only get 3 to 4 shaves before it begins to rip and pull.
Starting tom. I'll play, Ill flip and see what gives. Ill use a blade until it tugs and flip, see wassup.
If it prolongs the blade life, great. If not, I've lost nothing. Either way I'll let you know.
Good idea for an expirament.
Good job

 

I remove the blade after each shave and rinse off the razor. I've never really paid any attention to which side of the blade is up when I put it back in. I normally only get about four shaves from a blade. But I will start flipping the blade and see if it makes any difference.

 

I used to arm strop my Trac2 carts and it did seem to give me more blade life, but no better of a shave.... That was at the end of my cart era and right before my DE adventure...Since going DE I've just never bothered with either flipping or stropping..I may try flipping starting tomorrow and see how it goes..

 

I was drying, hand stropping and flipping my blade daily when I first started using a DE. I was off work for a week and had plenty of time. Then I went back to work and haven't done it since. I sometimes don't even pull the blade out now.

 

I neved pull out the blade on my de's. On my 3 piece razors I just run under tap and shake, my tto models however I open and rinse, then shake off

 

Logically there should be no benefit in flipping the blade as you shave with the edge.
I'd say it's a pure placebo effect if the blade feels 'sharper' or 'lasts longer' - as...it's the same edge regardless of what side is up or down

 

I understand what you're saying, but I wonder if there is a difference in that you aren't solely using the very tip of the blade, but an edge of the blade. This has me wondering if changing the edge has any advantages; short of there being any damage to the blade edge, I see the possibility that this might extend the life of a blade.

I became curious about hand stropping my blades, and tried it - I can say that, for me, I found it made a difference. I think I'll give this a try, and see if it brings any positive results. Even if it is only a placebo affect, if I get good shaves with an extended use blade, then it would be worth it to me - though how a placebo affect can cause less irritation on an extended use blade is something I can't wrap my head around LOL.

 

Two to three shaves, time to pull the blade & toss it. I have hand-stropped blades in the past, never flipped 'em though.
I realize I have enough blades stocked up to last until 2025, so I see no real reason to extend the life of each blade beyond several days, max.

 

I've worked smart/hard my entire life to not worry about a 12 cent blade. 2 shaves and out..No scientific study needed. It's now about comfort.

 

Very good points, and while I agree about flipping the blade over in order to wring out one or two last shaves, I have found that hand stropping helps make my shaves more comfortable. In my experience - and, as always, YMMV, or it might not be worth the effort for you - hand stropping is a small thing that enhances my obsession LOL

 

Heard that flipping the blade improves performance from others, but never tried it. Think I'll give it a try now.

 

OK, I said I would play and post my findings. I get 2 to 3 shaves out of any blade.
My GSB began to tug, I flipped it over and it still tugged. No benefit for me at all.
Experiment was fun, thanks.

 

It's not about standing on a soap box. I'm not bragging, simply stating a fact. A 12 cent blade plays no role in my financial doings.