Shaving tip: How to save money on razors
This is my favourite shaving tip, and it saves you money too! Ready? It’s easy …
Dry your razor blades on a towel before you put it away.
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Yep, that’s it. Really.
How much do you save? Try up to doubling the life of a blade cartridge. Yeah, double. I’ve been doing this for about seven years and I get at least 50% more shaving out of each cartridge.
Oxidation dulls razor blades
Why, you ask, does just drying off the blades help so much? Isn’t most of the dulling of the blades the actual shaving part?
Well unless you have wire bristles for whiskers (I don’t have the most facial hair in the world, but it is pretty coarse and tough), the shaving dulling is only part of the equation the other part is our old friend, rust (aka oxidation).
Wet blades oxidize faster than dried blades. The oxidation starts to wear down and dull the blades. When was the last time you found a razor sharp rusty knife, eh? Yeah never. Enough said.
So by drying the blades you inhibit oxidation from starting. Come on would you use your other cutting tools and not put them away dry? Yeah I didn’t think so.
Just a quick swipe on a towel is all it takes. Couple seconds. No, don’t freakin’ shave the towel, wipe the other way. Sheesh.
Tags: frugal tips, razor tips, razors, shaving tips, Shaving tips for menRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Buying Advice, Shaving tips for men
6 opinions for Shaving tip: How to save money on razors
Jason
Apr 13, 2008 at 7:02 pm
To save even more, consider a DE razor. Check out ShaveTutor on YouTube as per my comment on the shaving technique post. Cost is a large part of the reason I am thinking about switching back to a DE razor.
Tris Hussey
Apr 13, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Yeah DE razors must be cheaper … no marketing budget anymore!
Jason
Apr 14, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Heh, too true. The glory and the pain of turning into a niche product. :)
Tris Hussey
Apr 14, 2008 at 7:17 pm
That and simplicity. Since DE blades must be easier to manufacture. Now, I have to find a handle. I figure that is going to be a hunt.
Ronald Knarr
May 18, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Tris,
Buy an adjustable and don’t tinker with the settings. Start out at 1 and only move up after that setting has been used a few days; so you have a chance to get used to what to expect at that setting.
I also think that drying the blades gives more shaves per blade.
One really cannot wipe between the blades of the cartridge razors effectively.
Wiping the blades also gets the minute sludge off of the edge of the blades that just shaking it dry will not. It is often that sludge buildup that makes the blade seem dull.
Ronald
Tris Hussey
May 18, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Ronald, I got it! Merkur Progress. But I thought that 1 was high and 5 was low … oops my bad. Or my bleed as it maybe.
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