Preserving blades?

[Ceezer]

I didn't see anything about it in a search, so I'm wondering if any of you have heard of such a method to extend the life of your blades. In this case they're using Mach3 cartridges, so I don't know if it would also apply to DE blades.

I came across this post by accident while Googling something else, and it's from 2003 on another forum, but just wanted to share it:

I use the Mach 3 as well. If you are p***ed off at the cost of them here is what you do:

1. Get a coffee cup.
2. Fill with about 2 inches of baby oil.
3. Add a splash of Lysol (I use the concentrated version).

The lysol prevents the baby oil from going sour and getting too slimy.

Using this method, I have been using the same razor for over 6 months. Apparently the dulling of the razor occurs during the drying process where forms of erosion occur on the stainless steel blade.

I saw an expensive version of this in Sharper Image or somewhere and my ghetto free version works great. I have been using the same 6 pack of blades for over 2 years now. Sweet! Give it a shot.

And then a follow-up by the same guy:

I add just a splash and it generally hangs out at the bottom of the cup. All it does is stop the baby oil from getting too thick and going sour. You can skip it, but must change out the baby oil every couple of weeks or so. It is totally optional, but elevates you to lazy and cheap since I haven't changed it out in 6 months either.

Give this a shot you guys, you will SERIOUSLY save $$ and it costs nothing. I did find that with the Mach 2 that the oil would erode the "lubrismooth" strip and it would eventually fall off due to either the oil or Lysol. I just peeled it off and kept using the blades.

 

[gone down south]

The oil trick does apparently help extend a blade's life somewhat, but anyone who used a cartridge for months at a time has just reconciled themselves to getting lousy shaves.

 

[mdunn]

you could try keeping them in alc, but the blades are so cheap, and you would really only get a couple more shaves out of each blade that by the time you factor in the alc costs you wouldnt save any money

 

[Ceezer]

The oil trick does apparently help extend a blade's life somewhat, but anyone who used a cartridge for months at a time has just reconciled themselves to getting lousy shaves.

Thanks. I wouldn't try to use a blade for six months, but if I could get 5-6 shaves out of each one instead of the 2 I currently get then that would be great.

 

[gone down south]

Can't hurt to try, right? That and handstropping might make a difference.

 

[psychlopath]

I was looking at some baby oil the other day (it was there, so I looked it. It's what I do.) and it's ingredients were: Mineral oil. Does that stuff really go bad?

 

[Luc]

I heard that. SWMBO still uses that trick as I failed to convert her to a DE... It somehow works yes.

 

[82R100]

I was looking at some baby oil the other day (it was there, so I looked at it. It's what I do.) and its ingredients were: Mineral oil. Does that stuff really go bad?

I certainly wouldn't think so. It probably attracts dust, but that shouldn't be a problem if you keep it covered while not in use.

As I've said on other occasions, I'd be more inclined to dip the blade in a bath of the oil than to immerse it and leave it there. If for no other reason to avoid the inevitable risks involved in trying to fish it out each time you want to use it.

- Chris