Degaussing Blades

[wdwrx]

Reading Pumpkin's thread on his new blade jig has reminded me that I've been meaning to ask everyone how they deal with magnetized blades?
Using my blade jig seems to magnetize my blades, so they pick up metal filings/dust, and are attracted to each other.

Not a big deal really, just means that they don't display in the straight, square lines my OCD likes to see. And, there may be some health benifit from shaving with a magnetized straight (not that I buy into that... no magnetic bracelet for me) but I am curious to hear if anyone else is bothered by this, and how to fix it.

 

[Neil Miller]

Hi Chris,

Try looking for something like this.

Regards,
Neil

 

[Loner16]

I find a magnetized blade helps my arthritic knees..., but only when the poles are aligned with the earth's magnetic field.

Now, where is my hematite bracelet?

 

[wdwrx]

Hi Chris,

Try looking for something like this.

Regards,
Neil

Thanks Neil,
I was hoping to not spend any money... for a change. Though they are pretty cheap. I wonder if it's anything I could do at home with things i already have.

It seems to me it's just some manipulation of the various magnetic fields involved, but, man, my high-school physics is a long ways behind me.

 

[Seraphim]

A couple of my best shaving razors have had magnetized blades. I certainly don't hold it against them. It certainly hasn't hurt their performance.

 

[Neil Miller]

Chris - there are several ways:

heat - probably not an option, though;

striking - if you hit or knock something that is magnetized in a random way, it loses its magnetic field (however if you hit non-magnetized material enough times and it is pointing at magnetic north, it will become magnetized - Capt. Ahab makes a magnet like this in Moby dick;

ac field - putting something magnetic in an alternating ac field will demagnetize it - if you have an ac solenoid putting the object next to it for some time may work;

using another magnet - things become magnetic because the atoms are aligned N/S - if you stroke the magnetized object in all differnet directions, you can usually reduce the magnetism - just avoid north/south alignments

Of the above, the two simplest and most effective things are a lot of heat and a jolly good whack - not the best way to treat a razor, though, and asking for loss of temper or a crack.

Regards,
Neil

 

[stevenr1676]

Chris

For the same reason I bought a de-magnetizer at Home Depot here in Edmonton. it cost less than $10


Regards
Rick

 

[Brownbear]

As a side benefit demagnetizing them will improve their high frequency response with a less crisp and brittle sound, more mellow and natural; and, although some would argue, produce a more solid, rolling bass with less non linear boominess.

Oh wait, I thought you said demagnetizing CD's, my mistake.