Article On What Causes Razor Blades To Go Dull

[Hair Scraper]

I found an article on Dr. Larrin Thomas' website, knifesteelnerds.com, that was written by a guest, Dr. John Verhoeven on what causes razor blades to go dull. Dr. Verhoeven studied Gillette Mach 3 blades, but this could probably give a clue as to how any blade will go dull.

The article can be found here: What Causes Razor Blades To Dull - Knife Steel Nerds - https://knifesteelnerds.com/2021/01/11/what-causes-razor-blades-to-dull/

 

[RayClem]

I have encountered the microchipping phenomenon more often in straight razors than I have in DE blades, but I guess it would apply there as well. With DE blades, when one starts to feel dull or rough, I just toss it out and get another one. I do not examine the blades under a microscope to see why they failed. I do use a USB microscope to examine the edges of straight razors to improve my honing technique.

 

[BigJ]

Interesting article! Thanks for calling this to my attention.

 

[syljal]

Thanks for this article, i will dry blade and see how longer i can use it. I do 12 shaves with Merkur blades and want to extend it because after the third shaves the blade become super smooth and efficiency.

 

[Lane101]

MIT also published a study on the topic a couple of years ago. Key takeaway was that razor blades used to cut human hair wear down via microchipping versus a gradual dulling of the edge.

Why shaving dulls even the sharpest of razors

A new study by MIT engineers shows how shaving can damage blades. Human hair, 50 times softer than steel, can chip away a razor’s edge, the engineers found.

news.mit.edu

 

[dmshaver]

Thank you for sharing this interesting article.

 

[Ad Astra]

Very good read! Can't help the microchipping, but can dry a DE easily...


AA

 

[htownmmm]

Liked the article but I won't be drying blades anytime soon; too many in my stash to spend time doing that but I do see the benefit. Plus, I get numerous shaves from 1 blade anyway- nowhere near Excalibur club level but up to 30 shaves on 1 blade is good enough.

marty

 

[mrlandpirate]

What causes razor blades to go dull

Spoiler

shaving