DE blade orientation

[Mitchel]

Hi everyone.
I started wet shaving about 6 weeks ago and this is my second thread.
Here's my question:
I like to remove my blade to dry after each shave (I know people have different takes on this).
When I put it back in my beloved 1960 Flare Tip, does it matter which side of the blade is up or down? Should I be trying to keep that orientation consistent? Or does it just not matter?
Interested to see your responses!

 

[Anchovie666]

What is your blade that you are using? Do you shave every day & do you do a three pass shave? How dense is your growth?
These are all factors that could come into play. I was never that concerned with which side when I was DE shaving. But then for the most part, I was a once and done kind of guy before I got into SE and AC shaving (thicker blades).

Of course, as always, it's your shave and you should do it however you wish.

 

[dotKomo]

Welcome to B&B! You've picked a great place to learn about the hobby and interact with some quality individuals.

The short answer to your question is, not really. Some folks flip the blade each shave, others do not. Some blades have numbers in the corner to aid with flipping if you choose to do so. I don't think it makes any difference, but experiment and see for yourself.

 

[NotBloomingAL]

I used to flip my blade over from shave to shave. You know... so it would wear evenly. But after I got a razor that bent the blade aggressively, I found the blade didn't feel as comfortable on the second shave. This was most noticeable on a lighter, aluminum razor. So I experimented. I tested blades I knew I could get a weeks worth of comfortable shaves. I found that flipping the blade reduced its comfort. So now I never flip the blade. I just mark the blade with a Sharpie to remember the blade's orientation when I put it back in the razor.

 

[Pacman225]

What is your blade that you are using? Do you shave every day & do you do a three pass shave? How dense is your growth?
These are all factors that could come into play. I was never that concerned with which side when I was DE shaving. But then for the most part, I was a once and done kind of guy before I got into SE and AC shaving (thicker blades).

Of course, as always, it's your shave and you should do it however you wish.

I'm with you. I'm more of a one and done as well. For me it's still less expensive than cartridges and I have hundreds of blades to go through.

 

[Anchovie666]

I'm with you. I'm more of a one and done as well. For me it's still less expensive than cartridges and I have hundreds of blades to go through.

Yeah, I just never saw the thrill of taking a thin DE blade that costs $.01 to $.05 to multiple shaves. Feather was one that was a bit more expensive and it seemed to smooth out on the second use. There's that dude on YT that has over 500 shaves on a Nacet. Sugar Daddy Shaves. I'd like to see that edge under a microscope. LOL

 

[Tathlum]

does it matter which side of the blade is up or down? Should I be trying to keep that orientation

Depends on how severe your OCD is

 

[Mitchel]

Thanks guys. No OCD (yet!): just trying to take advantage of your experience. I've been using (and loving) Rapira blades. Usually change them out after 3 shaves. Today I used a Permasharp for the first time. Definitely seemed sharper. Closer shave. But also slightly more tender skin afterwards. Just slightly. Based on your comments, I won't pay attention to up and down sides on the blade. Thanks a ton!

 

[Invicta]

Hi everyone.
I started wet shaving about 6 weeks ago and this is my second thread.
Here's my question:
I like to remove my blade to dry after each shave (I know people have different takes on this).
When I put it back in my beloved 1960 Flare Tip, does it matter which side of the blade is up or down? Should I be trying to keep that orientation consistent? Or does it just not matter?
Interested to see your responses!

Welcome to B&B.
I don't think it would make a difference for you.
Unless you live in a hard water area and do >10 shaves on a blade it would make no difference.
Scum buildup in hard water areas is an hinderance so using the other two bevels when you flip the blade gives more longevity; BUT it does not help with blade sharpness. When that edge deteriorates beyond acceptable effectiveness the blade is spent.