What Think You Of Corking Blades ?

Years ago when Feather was the hot blade some guys who found them too much of a good thing would 'cork' them. Run the edge through a cork to take them down a notch (I guess) so the blade would be a bit gentler.

While I did then, and do now, find some blades shave more comfortably on the second go round than the first, I never tried the corking, figuring the blade will get dull enough with use, without me accelerating the process.

Then I began to see some of the blades coming out of Russia with 'do not wipe blade' printed on the wrapper. I read that they have a coating which accounts for the sharpness/smoothness, and wiping would take that coating off.

How much more would corking take whatever coating or polish is on them ? I've also read, maybe from Leisure Guy ... not sure, that all of these 'sharp' double edge blades owe their fine edge to the coatings applied in manufacturing, and removing the coating will do more harm than good.

Of course I could just try it myself, but I'm curious is there is a general consensus among members of DFS who have been more experimental than I have.  

I selected other as I’ve heard of it, never tried it but would consider it for the GEM PTFE blades as I find them harsh the first few shaves but I don’t shave with them often. I bought some CVS blades first and liked them much better out of the gate but they are carbon so the rusting issue is an issue.

Why not add palm stropping to your poll? You opened the door, may as well let all the varmints in, no?

I have tried just putting a new blade in the DE razor, then once assembled and ready to shave I run the razor along my lower arm a couple of times...but backwards.
I'm not trying to shave my arm, I'm dragging the razor backwards so that any wee rough spot/coating/whatever on the blade tip is polished up by my arm.
Just the one side, I don't flip the blade over (too much faffing about), but I think that this way I get a bit of buffing on the cutting edge of blades that can be a bit 'prickly' at first shave.
Quick and easy to do when you first put a new blade in.
It's not corking or palm stropping but it's a lot quicker and safer (just don't forget to move the razor backwards!).

Suspect he has “some” standards

https://youtu.be/jP51U_QBx48

I have tried just putting a new blade in the DE razor, then once assembled and ready to shave I run the razor along my lower arm a couple of times...but backwards.
I'm not trying to shave my arm, I'm dragging the razor backwards so that any wee rough spot/coating/whatever on the blade tip is polished up by my arm.
Just the one side, I don't flip the blade over (too much faffing about), but I think that this way I get a bit of buffing on the cutting edge of blades that can be a bit 'prickly' at first shave.
Quick and easy to do when you first put a new blade in.
It's not corking or palm stropping but it's a lot quicker and safer (just don't forget to move the razor backwards!).

Egad, the horror. This is going to be a train wreck, Jimmy! It's all on you too, friend. I don't think you were quite ready for the debauchery this thread is sure to descend into.

Quote: Egad, the horror. This is going to be a train wreck, Jimmy! It's all on you too, friend. I don't think you were quite ready for the debauchery this thread is sure to descend into.

Ha Ha, too late. Jimmy has indeed opened a can of worms.
Next thing will be someone comparing corks...champagne bottle corks are (of course) far superior to ordinary riff-raff corks (aren't they?).

I've just read some about corking a blade. To me rather than to do that, maybe I should use a blade that's less sharp. Possibly i dont understand the why. When I run a sharp knife through things, my sharp knife might not be as sharp.
I also think a blade will dull when I use it. Personally, if I want a less sharp blade ( if that's the reason for corking) I'll just use one.
I don't see a problem with palm or arm type stripping, for me.
Edit: I voted other, as I have palm stopped. Didn't think it felt different.

I palm strop a blade before the initial use, and after each use, after I pat the blade dry. Just really quickly, three passes on each side, then flip the blade and three passes on each side.

It seems to help the blades provide smoother shaves, while not dulling the edge.

I also use straight razors, and I would never use one without stropping after using it.  The strop cleans the edge, and helps to realign it.  That makes sense to me, so I do it for DE blades as well.

Vr

Matt

Side Note:  I mostly use vintage blades, so it is important to maintain their edges to help the longevity of each one.  After all...they aren’t making Personna 74s and Made in England Wilkinson blades anymore!

Doesn't make sense to me to make a sharp blade duller but to each their own.