With a sharp razor you can avoid irritation and razor burn. But it can get expensive if you only get 2-3 shaves per razor. Learn how to keep the blade sharp and get more shaves per razor.
When you are spending up to $4 a blade for the latest Gillette or Schick 4 and 5 blade razor, you want to make sure you get your money’s worth and make those blades last. If you can get more shaves per blade and keep the razor sharp you can save money. So after doing some digging around, I’ve found some useful tips you can use to make your razor blades last longer.
The biggest key is to keep your blades dry after using them. The Chicago Tribune reviewed all the methods for prolonging the life of razors but found the best way that worked was to dry your razors after using them. (source)
The science behind it is that razors become dull due to oxidation and mineral deposits more than from shaving. When water stays on the blades for prolonged periods of time, the razors oxidize. This causes corrosion and it can cause metal on the blade to flake off and cause the blades to become blunted and jagged.
Blot your razors dry with a towel after use.
You can double your shaves per blade just by using this one technique. This will keep your razor blades sharper longer.
You may also want to store your razors outside the bathroom to avoid contact with steam when you take hot showers.
Other tips to enhance your shaving include rinsing the blade often. Make sure you use warm water to soften up your whiskers. Let the shaving cream sit for a minute before you start to shave.
You can also dip the blades in alcohol before you blot them dry. The alcohol drives the water out and then quickly evaporates leaving you with a clean blade ready for the next shave.
So the next time you shave with your favorite Gillette or Schick razor, dry it off before you put it away.
So use this technique next time you shave and keep your razors sharp before you have to replace them. This will save you money and that’s always nice.