Making Razor Blades Last Longer

10/6/2011 | econjack

[stylin19a]

Pyramid power - don’t have to worry about an “oops” as the plugged in hairdryer falls into the si....zzzzzzzzzzzzzt agggggggh ba-dump clunk.

http://www.my-introspective.com/MyEnergy/3.12.Energy-Pyramid.htm

[al_c]

I read an article some time ago about a guy that had been using the same disposable razor for a year. He stated that drying it was the key to making it last longer. I’ve been drying mine ever since, but I still only seem to get about 2 weeks out of a Gillette Mach3 cartridge before it starts getting uncomfortable.

[yarddog]

Around 20 years ago a Roses discount store was closing. I stopped by when they got to 70% off and there was nothing left worth buying except I noticed one thing.

There was a whole bunch of Gillete Sensor razors with 5 blades. They each had a coupon. I have forgotten the amount but I did some quick figuring and noted they would be free with the coupon and 70% off. I asked if the coupons were being honored and was told yes.

Well I bought so many that I still have a huge number of blades, more than I will ever use, plus so many razors that I just have them lying around everywhere.

I did have to pay tax tho so they were not totally free. I probably paid around a penny a piece for the blades.

[ratzoe]

Did you leave a line off your post?

Burmashave!

[mountainlion]

Shaving is a hazardous and unsanitary business. Not only are there health risks with shaving but afterwords there is the risk of exposure to the sun and sun cancer. If God had wanted me to be bald on the chin he would have made me that way.

[goat granny]

A few years back when I sold items on eBay, I found in my trips to garage sales, thrift shops and Goodwill an interesting item that was vintage...It was a razor blade sharpner...It sold quite well and the feedback from the guy that bought it said it worked beautifully...You put the blade in a slot and a strop inside sharpened the blade as you turned the handle....such things are out there if you look for them....the size of the sharpener was about the same size as a fishing reel...

[econjack]

I don’t think you can conclude much from an N-value of 1 sample.

You're absolutely right. I taught statistics to grad students and have written a GP statistics package (microstat7.com) so appreciate what you're saying. I didn't mean to imply that there was any statistical validity to what I'm saying here. I was just wondering what others thought.

[JRandomFreeper]

If God had wanted me to be bald on the chin he would have made me that way.

Amen.

/johnny

[econjack]

My dad had one of those and used it on Gillette and Wilkerson blades. I don't know how long a single blade lasted.

[Codeflier]

Not this topic again. These people are penny wise and pound foolish. How much time do they waste? How much power with the hair dryer? Why is everyone so obsessed with this?

Why not just buy new razors when you need them? Sheesh

[FritzG]

Only, $19.95

[Electric Graffiti]

Another reason why a shave with a disposable razor deteriorates quickly is the blades become warped. I've used a magnetic razor ‘plate’ to keep the blades in ‘shape’. After you shave, you just lay it horizontally on the stand and it ‘conditions’ the blades......I was skeptical at first, but it actually works. I maybe able to get 2 to 3 weeks out of cheap Costco disposable.

I've never heard of drying the blades.....using a hair dryer-—electricity plus your time would be worth more than the disposable razor. A low voltage computer fan coupled with the magnetic razor conditioner sounds like the perfect combination.

[youngidiot]

I’ve been using a straight razor since my wife got me one for my birthday 9 years ago. It took some getting used to, but now I wouldn’t be without it. Who knows how much money I will have saved by the time I die? Thousands, I bet.

[NewHampshireDuo]

You beat me to the pyramid approach. Even Edmund Scientific, as they were going down the tubes, had an acrylic pyramid to use for keeping razor blades sharp.

[econjack]

Not this topic again. These people are penny wise and pound foolish. How much time do they waste? How much power with the hair dryer? Why is everyone so obsessed with this?

Why not just buy new razors when you need them? Sheesh

Why'd you stop and read this, then?

[jy8z]

I’m waiting for a nine blade hydraulically controlled articulating head razor for the copper wire like stubble that I produce. Is there such a thing yet?

[SeaHawkFan]

Costco is currently selling a package of 52 very good quality disposable razors for under $30. That would get me through about three years. My wife picked up one of the newer Shick platinum razors. Blades are expensive and don’t last any longer than a good disposable.

[molson209]

I use RazorPit Razor Blade Sharpener , I got 8 months from one Schick Hydro 3 .

[Electric Graffiti]

That sounds like the way to go.....Never heard of Ballistol.

But keeping your razor submerged in a silicone lubricant spray seems like the cheapest way to go. Thanks for the idea

[Charles Martel]

I thought about a small container of alcohol to sit the razor in... that might work too.

My dad used to have a mug-like container by he kept his razor in - it had a domed lid with a notch in the edge to fit over the razor handle. It was originally used to soak safety razors in a product called "Razobrite". I don't know what that stuff was like; Dad always used it with about an inch of blue Barbicide.

I think the Razobrite name is still alive - there's a company in the U.K. that sells a similar product.

I'm not sure that soaking a modern multi-blade razor in alcohol or Barbicide would produce a cost savings. Older razors were all metal, no plastic to react with the cleaning solution. Perhaps the mineral oil suggestion upthread would be the way to go... until ceramic razor blades make all this academic.