Posted on 10/06/2011 10:55:04 AM PDT by econjack
Several months ago a post got sidetracked and several posters started talking about why razor blades eventually dull. While many of us thought it was just a dulling from shaving, one person suggested that the primary reason for dulling was microscopic pitting caused by rust. That started me wondering...
On August 6th, I started drying my razor with a hair dryer after shaving. While I don't have a real heavy beard, I do have to shave daily...something I've been doing for over 50 years. I've been using the Gillet Fusion blades (you know, the ones with the five little cutting edges). Typically, I could get at least three weeks out of one blades, which is pretty good, especially when the blades cost about $3 each.
The hair dryer is always plugged in and sit near the sink, and it only takes about 20 seconds to really dry the razor. Today marks two months since I started using this blade and it still gives a clean shave with no uncomfortable drag. I was just wondering if anyone else experimented, too.
Here’s something I’ve wanted to share with FRiends.
I bought a razor strop because I have a couple straight razors. I never caught on to the straight razors but I was surprised to learn that you can sharpen your plastic, 2, 3, 4 blade razors with it as well.
I bought a small `Jemco’ strop, made in Germany. One side kinda rough leather, the other, smooth. Cost about $25. Have been using the same Gillette Fusion razor for over a month.
I make my disposable Mach III’s last longer by “stropping” them on my forearm before using them. Just running it backwards up my arm a dozen or so times works well to straighten out the edge. I don’t have a really wirey beard but it isn’t peach fuzz either, and my blades last about three months with daily shaving.
But does the cost of electricity, drying your blade with a hair dryer or a machine, exceed the cost of the disposable blade?
I can see how trying it off with a towel would be cost effective.
I bought one in '83, and use it once a year these days. It does cut through the underbrush well, if you keep it stropped.
Course, you don't want to shave with it if you have a hang-over.
/johnny
Well, I dunno... but there is...
I shave in the shower so all the little nicks are clotted and washed while showering.
I then just hang the blade on the soap rack.
They seem to last a long time and just toss em every 3 or 4 weeks.
The cost is only $1.50 per razor for about a months worth of shaving.
No big deal.
I hear you. Up until I was 40, the beard wasn't an issue. But after 40, it turned into rebar.
/johnny
I hate to poke a hole in the theory, but once my wife shaves her legs with my blade I can tell a HUGE difference. She says What? Me???. Maybe too much oxygen down there?
.
I’ve used my Grandfathers straight razor for 30+ years and it continues to get the job done. I’ve liked it so much I started collecting straights and have about 230 of them. Nuff said.
Good question. This thread was started by an economist. Let's ping him.
I’ve been doing this a long time and it does extend the life of the blades. Personally I’ve just wiped them dry across a towel (no the towel doesn’t get cut up) for about 5 seconds to get the water off the blades.
I’m with you, at the end of my shower, I soap up my face and shave while the whiskers are maximally hydrated. The razors last many time longer than when I used to shave at the sink. Plus I get a closer shave.
You can only use razor blade sharpeners on the blades that don’t have vertical thin guidewires over the blades. The 4 and 5-blade razor blades have these micro-guide wires over the blades, so they cannot be put into blade resharpeners.
The Mach 3 blades, 2-blades, and signe blades can be resharpened.
I dry my razors with an electric hair dryer while taking a bath. Works like charm.
Like I said, a few seconds dabbing the blade on your towel and it’s dry. Nothing else required. Free, fast. You can do it while the sink is draining.
I have fog free (really fog reduced) mirror in the shower and do the same. Your beard gets really soft and easy to cut in the steam of a shower. I just use a little soap so the razor slides easily and a Fusion blade will last me six months.
I go to BJ’s and they sell a big box of Gilette “good news”, disposable razors, and I use each for about a week...lasts me for months.
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