Blade Life

[TropicalShave]

I am relatively new to DE shaving, but having been playing with extending the life of my blade. I am currently using Feather blades in an EJ 89LBL razor and getting good shaves for 7 days. After 4 shaves I flip the blade (turn it over). This seems to help. Granted it isn't as aggressive, but still gives a good shave.
Question. Is this my imagination or could this help extend the life of the blade?

 

[_JP_]

No. It's the same bleeding edge no matter how you turn it.

 

[Mako72]

My Dad said he thought he remembered flipping the blades when he was in Veitnam. I have tried it and I didn't notice anything, but...

If it works for you keep doing it!

Jay

 

[mr. s]

I think it would make a difference. I do it.
7 shaves?!?! You are certainly getting the most out of your blades anyway. Maybe I should give mine a chance past 2.
EDIT: Welcome to B&B!!!

 

[xjrob85]

I don't think flipping the blade over would do anything since it is the edge of the blade that does the cutting, and the edge is always the same regardless of how it is flipped. I have heard of people that have had good luck with palm stropping their blades, although this is usually used to smooth out a blade that might be rough on the first shave.

 

[El Judio Bravo]

Most of us feel it doesn't have any real effect. Of course, if it makes you happy, go ahead and do it. It's your thing, man!

 

[TropicalShave]

My theory on turning the blade over to gain more use out of it would take a better microscope than I have access to, but it goes like this. When you use a leather strap on a straight edge blade, or do palm swiping on a DE blade you swipe it both ways. If you don't there is the possibility that a larger bevel will build up on one side or a microscopic bur will build up on the opposite side. If you sharpen an ax you can see this.
So the idea in turning the blade over is to allow it to wear evenly and cut with the side that isn't normally against the skin and thus make the assumption that the other side is still sharp.
Or, it could just be I would like to think it works.
Probably 50/50 odds either way.

 

[haiti222]

I agree. Even if there is only one edge, there are two approaches to the edge, one on each side. If you read the patents about PTFE coatings on blades, it appears that the PTFE gradually breaks off of the blade edge, the longer it is used. Flipping the blade, at the very least, would lead to using a side where there has been less flaking of the teflon coating, leading to less pulling. This effect is very evident on the 1980's Super Blue Blades, a PTFE (Teflon) coated carbon steel blade......

 

[Johnny Dale]

The low cost of DE blades never made me think of trying to extend the life of them. I change the blade after 4-5 shaves. I like a fresh sharp blade.

 

[njpaddy]

After 2 shaves I flip mine right into the blade bank. But one of the best things about wetshaving is finding out what works best for you.