Crazy idea: stone shaving razor

[nikkuchan]

This is a very crazy idea that I think about with more of a fanciful attitude rather than a practical one, but I still like the idea.

Since hearing in an anthropology class that stone blades are sharper than metal (just not a strong thus they dull faster), I’ve kept an interest in stone blades. I also learned that special scalpels with obsidian blades are used for more delicate incisions. In fact, they were used for eye surgery before lasers came to be the preferred method.

I think it would be cool to have a stone-made straight razor. Imagine a sleek, black obsidian blade on (insert cool-looking handle here). That would be stylish, and probably a very smooth shave.

 

[Pete's Kid]

I think I saw this on a Flintstones episode once. Maybe that's why Fred and Barney always look like they have a five o'clock shadow.

 

[Pete's Kid]

Actually, I think Fred used an 'electric' shaver. He'd trap a couple of angry bees in two clam shells, then get down to business.

 

[Sluggo]

This would be cool especially if you were camping or you wanted to have a manly contest with your buds.

 

[_JP_]

The trouble with stone blades is that they would be bloody expensive!

 

[syzygy]

It would be pretty amazing but next to impossible as obsidian flakes off in small pieces. It sure would be incredible though but I'd let you try it first - it would be beyond what any of us think is sharp!

 

[Brodirt]

would you sharpen them on steel?

 

[Left Coast DJ]

I think you should just skip the stone blades go directly to lazer razors! I want a shark shaped lazer razor.

 

[nikkuchan]

I think you should just skip the stone blades go directly to lazer razors! I want a shark shaped lazer razor.

That reminds me of an infomercial I saw in Japan about a laser hair-removal device. It was obviously made with Japanese people in mind: it has a sensor and it’s configured to only zap black things, meaning that it will zap the hair, but not your skin.

After watching the infomercial, my first thought was: “what would happen if a black guy uses it?”

 

[cfriend]

That reminds me of an infomercial I saw in Japan about a laser hair-removal device. It was obviously made with Japanese people in mind: it has a sensor and it’s configured to only zap black things, meaning that it will zap the hair, but not your skin.

After watching the infomercial, my first thought was: “what would happen if a black guy uses it?”

edit: self removed.

If it's too soon, go ahead and edit that out. My 1am, pain killer humor says it's good to go.

 

[ambrose]

thats messed up

 

[dpm802]

Its not such a far-fetched idea, although the practicality is debatable.

You might start by obtaining one of those obsidian scalpels, and seeing if you can get a good shave out of it. Surgeons must have a way to keep their equipment sharp ... perhaps they use replaceable blades, or else the whole scalpel is disposable.

Another way to go is artificial stone ... some kitchen knives are made from ceramic material, and they are sharpened, somehow or other. I'm sure they could make a mold in the shape of straight razor.

The big stumbling block to this is marketablility ... will any manufacturer think there is enough people that want to buy a product like this, to warrant the investment in R&D and production equipment?

Check out the Sapphire Blade available from Ted Pella. Only $650 for the blade, and a mere $400 for the sharpening service!

 

[lamina]

Some Roman Empire General use to burn his beard...I think he was (just a little bit) paranoid about his enemies!!!

 

[BobS]

I wonder if that sapphire blade could be fitted into one of the straights that use disposable blades?

Since I do shave with straights, I am probably not the one to try....

 

[Thebigspendur]

Fanciful thoughts however obsidian is impractical for shaving because it will microchip so easily, no different than glass. As far as sapphire goes its the same issue. You would need a large surface which would be very expensive to produce and in the end the business end is so thin it has no flexibility and would microchip.

 

[sol92258]

you know, a few days ago I was swimming, playing with my kids and some nieces and nephews, thus requiring me to be in the shallow end on my knees, I noticed later that night both knees were BBS, no irritation...you may be onto something with the stone/concrete shaving implements!

 

[Kazeryu]

I'm not sure it's practical. Thinking about how obsidian flakes, I don't think you could get enough of a straight edge to really shave with.

 

[md86]

I think it would also wear down kinda fast

 

[mmack66]

would you sharpen them on steel?

You just have to use a thigh bone, or something similar, to chip out a new edge on it.

 

[FLTiger]

I think you should just skip the stone blades go directly to lazer razors! I want a shark shaped lazer razor.

I'll freely admit that I was expecting a different shaving comment when I saw the picture with the above post.