If a blade type that you use regularly occasionally gives you a below-average shave (with a new blade), stop what you're doing and immediately take the blade out, flip it over, and continue your shave. You may be surprised. More often than not, I've found that this makes a dramatic difference.
Considering the fact that what you shave with is the very, very fine edge I can't personally see how this can make any difference. I am a strong believer in that 'flipping the blade' is a pure placebo effect. Having said that, as with SO many things in wetshaving YMMV and if it works for you then there is no reason not to do it
Totally agree. Also, my big question is when you flip your razor from WTG to ATG, wouldn't you be shaving with the "bad side" anyway?
Here are some previous discussions about blade flipping: http://theshaveden.com/forums/threa...over-between-shave-make-any-difference.37288/ http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/blade-flipping.38482/ http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/flipping-de-blades.24084/ http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/flipping-a-blade-over.35949/ http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/de-blades-a-question.3906/ http://theshaveden.com/forums/threa...lipping-the-blade-over-in-your-de-razor.9357/ http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/am-i-supposed-to-flip-my-blades.6318/ http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/need-to-turn-a-de-blade.15924/ http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/blade-turning-and-such.20688/ http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/blade-question.27214/
Most of those discussions seem to be about whether you can get more life out of your blades by flipping them over. That's not what I'm saying at all. What I'm suggesting is that when you get a sub-par shave from a fresh blade that usually works well for you, then there is some kind of quality control problem relating to how the edge was made. When this happens, I have found that flipping the blade really makes a difference.
+1 Life's too short to worry about cheap blades. Trying to prolong the life of a 15 to 20 cent blade and risking a bad shave hardly seems worth the time or effort.
You're both right, but I'll bet it took me less time to flip my blade over than it took you to toss the blade and grab a new one.
Yep, this. I'll drop the dud and get a new one. Also, I agree with @Darkbulb on this. There's no reason it should make a difference. YMMV
It still changes which face of the blade is against your face. I've noticed most blades are numbered in the corners. 1 and 2 on one side and 3 and 4 on another. What he is saying if 1 and 2 up doesnt work, 3 and 4 up may be better. Yeah, it is the same edge but the 'flip' side of it so it may make a difference. I'm usually to lazy to do either and unless it is cutting my face up use the blade as is. What I seem to notice, is that it takes about two shaves before my blades feel the most comfortable anyway. Blades are cheap, but if you're a penny pincher, it may help. I usually go about 8 days with a blade before I change it.
To me it's like "My coffee is too hot...let me drink from the other side of the cup". But still - whatever works for anyone keep doing it, life's too short not to
