Flipping Blade for Longevity?

[squank]

I've been using a DE razor for a relatively short time, and I have seen discussions on how many shaves do you get from one blade, which blade gives the most shaves, etc.

It occurred to me that a blade might dull slightly more on one side of its edge than the other, giving me reason to think that flipping a blade may extend its life (ever so slightly). By flipping, I mean removing and turning the blade "upside down" inside the safety razor, rather than spinning it on its axis.

Has anyone explored flipping a blade and whether that affects the number of shaves it will give? Does a blade's sharpness wear down primarily on one side, meaning that by turning the blade over I could get an extra shave or two? For example, if I normally get 5 shaves from a particular blade, could I flip the blade after the third use and stretch its use to a sixth or seventh use?

Also - I could be showing my inexperience, but I do not remove my blade in between uses -- I have read that some folks do. I leave one blade in place for multiple shaves until I change it out for a fresh, new blade.

Thanks for any wisdom!
Frank

 

[DrDalton]

There have been many threads discussing this idea over the years, with a number of different (and apparently unreconcilable) views expressed.

I'm of the school that there are no sides to and edge (it being the point of intersection of two planes), so flipping the blade does not expose a new side (just like slightly rotating a pencil does not continually expose a new side of the lead and lead to everlasting sharpness).

Others may differ in their views. That being said, try flipping the blade and see what happens, if you like the results and think/feel it makes a difference, keep doing it.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Here are a few previous discussions that might provide you with some answers:

Blade flipping?

So, the other day, while talking wetshaving in another venue, I made mention that I flip my blade after every use and was promptly told that it was a pointless waste of time. Considering that I open up my razors to remove the blade and dry them out after every shave anyway, I don't see it as any...

www.badgerandblade.com

Flipping blade.

Does turning blade over increase life of blade?

www.badgerandblade.com

Razor Blade Flipping

I noticed that my Astras have humbers on either side. The astra I had in was on its last legs, so I flipped over the blade and tried a shave, and it was just like it was the previous shave before it bit the bullet. I wouldnt suggest this for every blade, but if you have no blade avaliable and...

www.badgerandblade.com

Blade flipping?

I'm using Derbys for the first time, and noticed the numbers near the cutting edges of the blades, on both sides (1-4)they come across as an identifier. This implies that each side is not _the same_ in some sense. Can you get more mileage out of a blade by flipping it over in the razor at some...

www.badgerandblade.com

Flipping your DE blade?

It seem like I am always experimenting with my gear. For quite awhile now, I have for the most part only using the Personna Med Prep blades and even if I lose count of the shaves I have gone though on each blade before it is time to change (four shaves and then into the blade bank) I am so used...

www.badgerandblade.com

Blade flip?

Anyone FLIP the blade after each shave? Does that help? Hurt? I recently started using a good DE and bought a selection of blades with it. Once I settle on a blade/soap combo, I'm sure I'll get 8 to 10 shaves per blade without 'pushing it'. I put a black mark on ONE SIDE of a fresh...

www.badgerandblade.com

Flipping the razor blade

Hi. Second time shaving on a DE razor and I am enjoying it. Seems to be a closer shave than the disposable ones I've used in the past. Do any of you flip the blade over periodically to perhaps get the "undulled" side for the next shave? Does this make sense? Am I wasting my time?

www.badgerandblade.com

Flipping DE blades?

I've read enough posts on flipping DE blades to realize that (1) flipping blades doesn't necessarily improve their lifespan and (2) most shavers can't be bothered flipping them, since the blades are so cheap in the first place. But why is it that blades typically (not not always) have notations...

www.badgerandblade.com

Flip the blade in the razor?

I've only shaved with my DE twice now and one thing that struck me is that I don't know if I am ever to flip the blade over in the razor. Does any of you ever open up your razor and flip the blade over to the other side when starting a new shave...or do you just keep it in there for 4-5 shaves...

www.badgerandblade.com

Do you flip the blade in a DE razor?

I'm not talking about alternating between the two edges, but rather after 3-4 full shaves open the razor and flip the blade inside. Any benefit or harm?

www.badgerandblade.com

Do you flip the DE blade?

Just curious, I use Astra blades and have tried turning the blades over after every couple of shaves and have shaved without turning the blade and I can't tell any difference. The blade seems to last the same length of time no matter if I flip it or not. Does anyone else have this experience...

www.badgerandblade.com

Flipping a DE blade to reuse?

Someone asked me yesterday about how many shaves I get out of a blade. He then asked if I flip the blade upside down & reuse to extent the amount of shaves. I've been shaving with A DE for years & it has never occurred to me to try that. Does anyone here do that? Does it still give you a...

www.badgerandblade.com

Should I flip my blades?

Does turning the blade over the blade extend it's service life? If so, how often, after every use or every other use? Seems to me it should help, giving even wear on both sides of the edge. Regards, Jim

www.badgerandblade.com

Blade Life

I’ve got a simple question. Is there a certain technique required while shaving to increase blade life.? Longevity I mean. Are less strokes with the razor needed to get more shaves out of a blade? I am very curious about this!! The most shaves I’ve ever done on a blade is 30...I would like to...

www.badgerandblade.com

The ultimate flipping the blade poll!

Right, I saw the 'blade flipping' comment today, looked at it and thought, mmm, this is something that comes up quite often. I did a search and found the following: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=91949 http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=92645...

www.badgerandblade.com

Blade Longevity...

I was reading another related thread where everyone was giving the blade they were using and the number of shaves they were on. I'm really surprised that others get so many shaves from a blade. One thing I noticed was people mentioned using one side and then flipping the blade. When you are...

www.badgerandblade.com

DE Blade use/rotation

I have been experimenting with different ways to rotate my DE blade. I typically use each blade for 4 shaves then get a new one. I don't know if it is just cause I am new, or if it does not matter, but I was wondering what the majority of you out there did about turning over/rotating/flipping...

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[brucered]

Flipping does nothing.

 

[luvmysuper]

If you're cutting a steak and the knife edge gets dull, you don't flip it around.

 

[nlife]

I've seen this posted a few times as well. I would hesitantly guess that using a razor is like honing a knife. You'd be rolling the very fine edge to one side then to the other when you flip it. Granted I'm not sure there's any way to really quantify my guess short of having special microscopes.

If you feel it gives you a few extra shaves out of the same blade then, by all means, continue flipping. If not, that's cool too.

 

[brucered]

I've seen this posted a few times as well. I would hesitantly guess that using a razor is like honing a knife. You'd be rolling the very fine edge to one side then to the other when you flip it. Granted I'm not sure there's any way to really quantify my guess short of having special microscopes.

If you feel it gives you a few extra shaves out of the same blade then, by all means, continue flipping. If not, that's cool too.

Your whiskers are coarse enough to roll a steel edge?

Mine aren't.

 

[Ron R]

It occurred to me that a blade might dull slightly more on one side of its edge than the other, giving me reason to think that flipping a blade may extend its life (ever so slightly). By flipping, I mean removing and turning the blade "upside down" inside the safety razor, rather than spinning it on its axis.

I think it is hard to prove if flipping the blade creates better performance, myself I flip my blades just because I remove the blade out of my DE razors all the time to clean the razor because of my large razor rotation, when the blade is installed into a different razor I just flip it regardless because I blade count also helps tracking what side to flip.
The best way to look at flipping question to prove it could slightly help is stropping a straight razor, the person strops one side and flips the blade to straighten the small folds & bends in the edge of the straight razor.
Men have been stropping carbon steel straight razors for hundreds of years and it works as a known. With a DE blade your facial skin becomes the strop.
If you only use the blade 2-3 times and then bin the blade flipping is questionable if it benefits greatly IMO!
(Old archived photo, these small bent area's of this blade stropping would help slightly improve the keenness of the edge.)

Have some great shaves!

 

[nlife]

Your whiskers are coarse enough to roll a steel edge?

Mine aren't.

Well that's because I eats me spinach!

 

[Smirky McStumbletongue]

I usually flip my blade after the second or third use, but to be honest, whether and to what extent it makes a difference depends entirely on the specific brand and manufacture. Some blades, I note no discernible effect. With others, it does seem to help a little bit.

 

[DesertIguana]

Pick 5 random people, give same razor, blade, and soap.

Then allow to start with clean shaven face, then say shave one days growth, everyday until you can’t stand blades results no longer.

BET you will not have same results, people are different, beards, beard growth, and thickness is different.

 

[luvmysuper]

I think it is hard to prove if flipping the blade creates better performance, myself I flip my blades just because I remove the blade out of my DE razors all the time to clean the razor because of my large razor rotation, when the blade is installed into a different razor I just flip it regardless because I blade count also helps tracking what side to flip.
The best way to look at flipping question to prove it could slightly help is stropping a straight razor, the person strops one side and flips the blade to straighten the small folds & bends in the edge of the straight razor.
Men have been stropping carbon steel straight razors for hundreds of years and it works as a known. With a DE blade your facial skin becomes the strop.
If you only use the blade 2-3 times and then bin the blade flipping is questionable if it benefits greatly IMO!
(Old archived photo, these small bent area's of this blade stropping would help slightly improve the keenness of the edge.)
View attachment 1696108
Have some great shaves!

Except that on a strop, there isn't things sticking out that need to be cut off like there is on facial skin.
A strop is a surface where the razor isn't working the edge as far as cutting goes.
If you're stropping your razor and cutting something, you're doing it wrong!

 

[lasta]

I flip my blades twice after every shave.

Don't know if it helps or not, but my OCD seems placated.

 

[Never Picked]

With a large blade gap and the right shaving angle, you can get underneath the blade as it were, using one side more than the other, leaving the other side more sharp.
Also, as you shave, it can cause on a level unseen by the human eye, the thin yet sharp blade to slightly curve outward, making that side less usable.
Both of these factors indicate something.
That flipping the blade does nothing.

 

[Ron R]

Except that on a strop, there isn't things sticking out that need to be cut off like there is on facial skin.

You are correct about nothing sticking out on a strop, most strops are just meant for straightening the edge and if abrasive compounds are loaded onto a leather strop it will cut the blade ever so slightly to produce a very sharp edge + correct the edge. My thinking is when blade is flipped it should correct some of the bends and folds possible to help the edge correct possibly. I have been flipping my blades for many years and it is hard to prove if it helps at all but a person can not really prove it does not either !
The only blades I do not flip are some of my SE Schick injectors, and the blade seems to hold up very well but the blade is held at a ideal angle for strength. The very fine edge of a DE blade is measured in millionths of a inch so it is overly strong.

Have some great shaves!

 

[Tillerman]

I've seen this posted a few times as well. I would hesitantly guess that using a razor is like honing a knife. You'd be rolling the very fine edge to one side then to the other when you flip it. Granted I'm not sure there's any way to really quantify my guess short of having special microscopes.

If you feel it gives you a few extra shaves out of the same blade then, by all means, continue flipping. If not, that's cool too.

I don't flip blades, but that is the reasoning I would take if I did. I may flip my blade tonight just to see.

 

[ERS4]

Grinding or stropping a blade is a precise process with specific directions and angles. And the Flip Blade is not, so it doesn't help your expectations.

Some people think that the number on the edge of the blade means you have to flip it over with use, and thus start doing this - also a myth, since the manufacturer has stated that those numbers are printed only for quality control, and have nothing to do with shaving.

 

[JimmyJoeMeeker]

there are no sides to and edge (it being the point of intersection of two planes), so flipping the blade does not expose a new side

That's the crux of the matter right there.

 

[squank]

Here are a few previous discussions that might provide you with some answers:

Blade flipping?

So, the other day, while talking wetshaving in another venue, I made mention that I flip my blade after every use and was promptly told that it was a pointless waste of time. Considering that I open up my razors to remove the blade and dry them out after every shave anyway, I don't see it as any...

www.badgerandblade.com

Flipping blade.

Does turning blade over increase life of blade?

www.badgerandblade.com

Razor Blade Flipping

I noticed that my Astras have humbers on either side. The astra I had in was on its last legs, so I flipped over the blade and tried a shave, and it was just like it was the previous shave before it bit the bullet. I wouldnt suggest this for every blade, but if you have no blade avaliable and...

www.badgerandblade.com

Blade flipping?

I'm using Derbys for the first time, and noticed the numbers near the cutting edges of the blades, on both sides (1-4)they come across as an identifier. This implies that each side is not _the same_ in some sense. Can you get more mileage out of a blade by flipping it over in the razor at some...

www.badgerandblade.com

Flipping your DE blade?

It seem like I am always experimenting with my gear. For quite awhile now, I have for the most part only using the Personna Med Prep blades and even if I lose count of the shaves I have gone though on each blade before it is time to change (four shaves and then into the blade bank) I am so used...

www.badgerandblade.com

Blade flip?

Anyone FLIP the blade after each shave? Does that help? Hurt? I recently started using a good DE and bought a selection of blades with it. Once I settle on a blade/soap combo, I'm sure I'll get 8 to 10 shaves per blade without 'pushing it'. I put a black mark on ONE SIDE of a fresh...

www.badgerandblade.com

Flipping the razor blade

Hi. Second time shaving on a DE razor and I am enjoying it. Seems to be a closer shave than the disposable ones I've used in the past. Do any of you flip the blade over periodically to perhaps get the "undulled" side for the next shave? Does this make sense? Am I wasting my time?

www.badgerandblade.com

Flipping DE blades?

I've read enough posts on flipping DE blades to realize that (1) flipping blades doesn't necessarily improve their lifespan and (2) most shavers can't be bothered flipping them, since the blades are so cheap in the first place. But why is it that blades typically (not not always) have notations...

www.badgerandblade.com

Flip the blade in the razor?

I've only shaved with my DE twice now and one thing that struck me is that I don't know if I am ever to flip the blade over in the razor. Does any of you ever open up your razor and flip the blade over to the other side when starting a new shave...or do you just keep it in there for 4-5 shaves...

www.badgerandblade.com

Do you flip the blade in a DE razor?

I'm not talking about alternating between the two edges, but rather after 3-4 full shaves open the razor and flip the blade inside. Any benefit or harm?

www.badgerandblade.com

Do you flip the DE blade?

Just curious, I use Astra blades and have tried turning the blades over after every couple of shaves and have shaved without turning the blade and I can't tell any difference. The blade seems to last the same length of time no matter if I flip it or not. Does anyone else have this experience...

www.badgerandblade.com

Flipping a DE blade to reuse?

Someone asked me yesterday about how many shaves I get out of a blade. He then asked if I flip the blade upside down & reuse to extent the amount of shaves. I've been shaving with A DE for years & it has never occurred to me to try that. Does anyone here do that? Does it still give you a...

www.badgerandblade.com

Should I flip my blades?

Does turning the blade over the blade extend it's service life? If so, how often, after every use or every other use? Seems to me it should help, giving even wear on both sides of the edge. Regards, Jim

www.badgerandblade.com

Blade Life

I’ve got a simple question. Is there a certain technique required while shaving to increase blade life.? Longevity I mean. Are less strokes with the razor needed to get more shaves out of a blade? I am very curious about this!! The most shaves I’ve ever done on a blade is 30...I would like to...

www.badgerandblade.com

The ultimate flipping the blade poll!

Right, I saw the 'blade flipping' comment today, looked at it and thought, mmm, this is something that comes up quite often. I did a search and found the following: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=91949 http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=92645...

www.badgerandblade.com

Blade Longevity...

I was reading another related thread where everyone was giving the blade they were using and the number of shaves they were on. I'm really surprised that others get so many shaves from a blade. One thing I noticed was people mentioned using one side and then flipping the blade. When you are...

www.badgerandblade.com

DE Blade use/rotation

I have been experimenting with different ways to rotate my DE blade. I typically use each blade for 4 shaves then get a new one. I don't know if it is just cause I am new, or if it does not matter, but I was wondering what the majority of you out there did about turning over/rotating/flipping...

www.badgerandblade.com

Thanks for sharing those - my cursory search was not successful.

 

[JimmyJoeMeeker]

Relevant article about what happens to blades when shaving.

Flipping the blade isn't going to unchip or uncrack the edge.