A double edge razor is also known simply as a DE razor and it’s exactly like it sounds: It’s a razor blade with a double sharp blade that can be used on each side.
A question that shavers often ask is can you flip a double edge razor blade to extend its lifespan?
You can use both sharp edges of the double edge razor blade before discarding it but opening the blade handle and flipping the blade over on the other side will not extend the lifespan. The sharpness of the blade doesn’t change if you flip it on the other side.
Let’s take a closer look at how you can use it most effectively before discarding it, the benefits of the DE razor and considerations for using a double edge razor blade over other options.
You can use both sharp edges of a double edge razor blade
The double edge razor blade is sharp on each side of the blade so both edges can be used. It’s good practice to use one side of the blade until it’s no longer usable and then turn the razor handle over and use the other side of the blade. That way you aren’t wondering which side has (for example) 2 shaves left and which one has 4 shaves left!
How do you keep track of this?
My Wilkinson DE razor (see pic below) has the Wilkinson logo imprinted near one blade side so I use that side first and keep shaving with it until it’s blunt and time to switch. Then next time I shave, I turn the handle over and use the blade with no logo imprinted near it.
Flipping the double edge razor blade on the opposite side has no positive effect
The sharpness of the double edge blade comes from the fact that the top and bottom of each side of the blade meets at the same angle which creates the cutting edge. Flipping over the blade to the opposite side will have no effect and won’t increase its lifespan.
You put the DE blade like the one shown at the very top of this article into a shaver head like my Wilkinson handle shown several lines above and after shaving a certain number of times, can turn the razor handle over and shave with the other blade, as mentioned in the section above.
But physically flipping the blade over on the other side has no positive effect whatsoever.
How many times can you use each side of the DE razor blade?
As far as how many times you can use the blade….that’s a hard one to answer. It depends on how much hair you are shaving each time, the coarseness of your hair, if you shave both your head and face hair and how aggressively you shave, among other factors.
I tend to use each side of the DE razor blade about 5 times each or until I start to feel like the quality of shave isn’t as good as it was when the blade was new. You’ll need to figure out what works for you.
Double edge razor blade cartridges aren’t so expensive that it’s worth cutting yourself over due to overusing each blade.
Double edge razor blade advantages
One major advantage of the DE razor blade is that each time the blade touches your skin, only one single blade is cutting each whisker. This can be advantageous for men who have sensitive skin, razor bumps, get ingrown hairs or skin irritation from shaving.
Razor blades with 2+ shaving blades work as follows: The first blade doesn’t actually cut your whiskers but pulls them up gently and the second and any subsequent blade actually cuts the hair. The benefit is that by pulling each whisker out further, the blade cuts it shorter and you tend to get a cleaner shave.
The downside is that when the whiskers drop back down underneath the skin, some can become ingrown hairs when they attempt to grow back above the skin again. If you frequently get razor bumps, irritated skin, whiteheads or have curly hair the chances of ingrown hairs increase with multi-blade razors.
In my experience, the benefit of a single blade cutting whiskers at skin level is that it can reduce if not eliminate the chance of ingrown hairs due to shaving.
DE razor blade considerations
I found that it took me some time to properly use a double edge razor without cutting myself constantly or giving myself razor burn (which I never experience when using a regular disposable razor. )
I have detailed my progression with DE razor blades in this post, this one and also this one.
I’ve learned to properly wet and moisten my skin, shave slowly, use a good shaving cream and to not be surprised if I do occasionally (and sometimes frequently…) nick the back and sides of my head when shaving. It happens but less frequently than before.
One thing I am careful about is not using the same blade for too long. Once it gets blunt you’re more likely to cut yourself than with a sharp blade. With a dull blade, you’ll likely press the blade harder on your skin and shave the same area several times to get the remaining whiskers, increasing the chance of a cut(s).
