Comments on: Extend the Life of Your Razor Blades and Get Free Razor Samples

By: RC

RC — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:01:23 +0000

Principles of Materials, Cyrstallography, and Chemistry courses and textbooks will tell you that corrosion of the blade is what makes it go dull. Nomatter how “rugged” you may be, your hairs are not hard enough to damage your steel blades.

Drying your blades after use will extend their useful life. Even more than that, storing them in mineral oil will keep them sharp even longer. However, the razor manufacturers know this and purposefully include this “lubrastrip” that is compromised by the presence of oil. When stored in oil, the strip expands to the point of disrupting the proper angle between the blade and your face.

The sad part is that we’ve had the technology to make razor blades that will never go dull during the course of a human lifetime for decades. Amorphous metal blades (without a crystalline structure) or ceramic blades will corrode so slowly that they’ll never need sharpening. The Gillette, Shick, Bic trust won’t let those go into production, though, for obvious reasons. Why would anyone buy expensive, short lived cartridges from them when a $20 ceramic razor would last forever if it isn’t accidentally shattered?

A quality straight razor can be sharpened and may be a suitable alternative to costly cartridges as it will last a lifetime when properly maintained. However, sharpening them takes time. And, shaving with a straight razor requires a bit more skill and focus than a so-called “safety razor.”

By: Razor Blades

Razor Blades — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:07:21 +0000

In my opinion it is best to dry them thoroughly, although I am not sure if it makes that much of a difference.

By: The Return of Sanity | Ask Mr Credit Card's Blog

The Return of Sanity | Ask Mr Credit Card's Blog — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:45:38 +0000

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By: ChristianPF

ChristianPF — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:15:23 +0000

I don’t really know if that idea works or not, I will probably give it a try. But the thing I do know that makes razors last is only shaving every 2 weeks! Sometimes my razors will last for months!

By: J

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:20:38 +0000

Jimmy, if you’re only getting four shaves from any cartridge, you may want to try a different brand. Then again, if the “lubrastrip” degrades that fast on you, maybe it’s a reaction to whatever shaving cream you’re using. Heck, I’m 1/4 Italian and very rarely have to change blades!

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:30:49 +0000

I hate to be the cynic, but I’ve found that drying the razor blades thoroughly make absolutely no difference in the longevity of disposable razor cartridges. In my completely informal study, it’s the degradation of the “lubrastrip” that causes the razor cartridge to shave inadequately.

I’ve tried just about everything to increase the lifespan of them, but the most I’ve ever gotten out of one is four shaves. Any more than that and I have to start raking the razor across my face which is pretty painful as you can imagine. The claim that some people can shave for months on end with a single cartridge is pretty hard to believe.