One side of a razor blade dull?

[smoov and deadly]

This is a bit odd and I'm not sure what to make of it. For the past 2 months I have been using a futur with the white box IP's (crystals?) I really, really like them and have had zero issues with blade consistency. Anyway, the last two blades that I have used it seems as though one side of the blade is significantly less smooth and it nicks me up badly. Is this just a case of a couple of bad blades? Or maybe my futurs cap is not clicking down properly causing one side to perform differently from the other. I've tried to eyeball it but I cant tell. Anyone else have this problem or am I thinking to much?

All the Best,

Emery

[TheBigL]

While I have not used the razor or blades you mention, I have seen razor and blade combos in which the blade is not centered in the razor. This can lead to uneven exposure and a poor shave.

[Luc]

While I have not used the razor or blades you mention, I have seen razor and blade combos in which the blade is not centered in the razor. This can lead to uneven exposure and a poor shave.

+1

The other option is how are you shaving with it? Do you flip your razor on the other side after a stroke, pass, whole session or you do not keep count?

[smoov and deadly]

+1

The other option is how are you shaving with it? Do you flip your razor on the other side after a stroke, pass, whole session or you do not keep count?
I typically flip sides when the side I'm using is loaded with shave refuse. These last two blades have been really noticably more ragged on one side. I havent dropped my futur or done something to possibly harm it so I hope its just two bad blades, it just seems odd that two in a row would do the exact same thing...

[jrcrow79]

IP's as some members will say they DO get duller than most blades...just "hand strope" them..ask around where on youtube this educational vid is...you will be able to keep your blade smoother n last longer for at least 4 shaves!

[smoov and deadly]

IP's as some members will say they DO get duller than most blades...just "hand strope" them..ask around where on youtube this educational vid is...you will be able to keep your blade smoother n last longer for at least 4 shaves!
Duly noted, however the ones in question have been uber dull on one side from the first shave...I guess I'll just have to use one side of the blade and hope it was just bad luck.

[SilverKarn]

Have you tried corking the blades before the first use?

Search for corking on the forums for pics of how its done.

[talibeard]

While I have not used the razor or blades you mention, I have seen razor and blade combos in which the blade is not centered in the razor. This can lead to uneven exposure and a poor shave.

That does happen for sure but when I recently tried out some Dorco st-301's the same thing happened with a couple of blades and I am absolutely sure it wasn't the razor. Just bad QC here.

[smoov and deadly]

Have you tried corking the blades before the first use?

Search for corking on the forums for pics of how its done.
I understand the idea and have tried corking in the past but wasnt really convinced that it did much, but I may try it again in this instance just to see. Judging from the responses, my guess is that it is just poor QC...:(

[glahr32]

I have had the same problem with 2 or 3 blades. I don't remember for sure, but I believe they were IP's as well. There was just one side of the blade that was super dull. I remember that I hadn't shaved for 2 or 3 days so I had a significant amount of stubble. I put in a new blade and did one stroke with the good side that took off a good amount of hair. Then I flipped the razor over to do the next stroke and it took off nothing. No matter how many times I tried with that side of the razor, it wouldn't cut anything. I had to shave with the good side the entire time. It was pretty annoying but I've only come across 2 or 3 blades like that. They're cheap enough that I don't feel bad just throwing it away and popping in a new one.

[rabidpotatochip]

Is there any way for you to tell if it's the same side on all the blades that display this issue? (Ha, finally a use for those numbers of Derbys!)

If it's all the same side there was probably just a glitch during manufacturing and (hopefully) it clears up with later blades.

[dcnpaulk]

This is exactly how I found a problem with corrosion on the underside of the head. I noticed the difference in the shave between the two sides first! See this thread (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=82484). The picture ahows the result after I scraped away and sanded the corrosion. By the time I took the picture it had spread considerably. At first, the corroded spot was relatively small, but the built-up gunk was thick enough that it actually altered the gap between head and blade. And it doesn't take much of that to make a big difference in shave quality! I had nice smooth normal shaves from one side and absolutely horrible nicks and cuts from the other. So check it out.

[smoov and deadly]

This is exactly how I found a problem with corrosion on the underside of the head. I noticed the difference in the shave between the two sides first! See this thread (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=82484). The picture ahows the result after I scraped away and sanded the corrosion. By the time I took the picture it had spread considerably. At first, the corroded spot was relatively small, but the built-up gunk was thick enough that it actually altered the gap between head and blade. And it doesn't take much of that to make a big difference in shave quality! I had nice smooth normal shaves from one side and absolutely horrible nicks and cuts from the other. So check it out.
Wow! That head was corroded! I thought to check mine just to make sure but after seeing that pic I certainly dont have anything like that...yet...I probably go a bit overboard with cleaning my razor. After every shave I make sure I wash out all the excess gunk and hair and spray it with alchohol. It will make a nice contribution to the BST forum if I ever let her go!

Again, all the responses are much appreciated. I tend to think that I just hit a rough patch (I'm a sucker for a bad pun) with a few of these blades. Such a pity, I was enjoying being spoiled by them...:)