Thread: flipping a DE razor

I tried a new DE and an old DE. When I placed the blade from one to the other I flipped the blade. Is this bad or does it really matter at all?

I have not had a super comfortable shave with either razor yet. I figured that my face would have to get used to the new way of shaving.

Perhaps I am just not an "open tooth razor" person.

The blades are symmetrical. They are not labeled "this end up," so it doesn't matter.

I understand that there is no "this end up" (that's funny) but I didn't know if it ruined on edge in use or if it prolonged the sharp life of the blade is flipped.

I had heard somewhere in my past that using a str8 rzr in one direction "aligns" the edge that way. Didn't know if it was the same.

thnx

PS. still a pretty rough shave.

I don't think flipping a blade has any affect. I'm an old guy with a lot of experience with SE, DE, and straights, and I've never had reason to think that it would matter. However, with age I've learned at least one thing: I'm often wrong, so maybe it does make some small difference in some circumstances.

Just to be clear about that "this end up" comment, I wasn't being flip.


Back when I used a DE, I experimented for a short time with flipping the blade between each shave to see if it would extend the life of the blade. It didn't seem to make any difference for me.

If you are getting rough shaves from a DE, it could be for a few possible reasons.
1. Poor prep. There's a straight razor that has an etching on its face that says "you lather well, I'll shave well." It does make a difference.

2. Poor angle. Even with a DE there is a right and wrong angle of attack for the blade. Try experimenting with different angles. If you're getting rough shaves, you may benefit to using a lower angle of the blade relative to your face.

3. Bad blade. Sometimes people find a particular brand of blade is incompatible to their face. Try another brand of blade.

in time all the bumps that I didn't know I had will be shaved flush with the rest of my face. I won't have to worry after that. If my nose is not one of these then I'm doing ok.

Speaking strictly from the perspective of a razor blade being foremost a blade -

Cutting something with it (within its intended use) will either (a) dull the edge or (b) raise a "burr" on the other side of the blade. If (a) happens, flipping will make no difference. If (b) happens, flipping might make the other side cut better, but will most like be much rougher.

Good blades don't cost so much that I see flipping, old-fashioned-glass honing, or similar things being worth the bother - but, if it pleases you, then by all means go for it! And, if it works wonders, please share it with us.

palm stropping works very well (for me when I was a de/se user)..and blade flipping I believe was known to many b4 palm stropping technique I believe..I remember talking to my father in law who used de for 20yrs..he never heard of palm stropping and only blade flipping..anyways just my thoughts!

pcdad

To palm strop, does that mean to just back drap the razor across your palm? As though I where wiping it? Does this work on Str8 as well?

It's simple...you basically "lightly--flick" the blade across the base of yer hand
HERE: YouTube - how to strop single edge/double edge/cartridge blades