Prolonging blade life

[ppearce]

Anyone here soak their blades (in the razor) in mineral oil between shaves? It is reported to keep the blades sharper, longer.
I know that DE blades are inexpensive, but I'm always looking for tips that work.

 

[luvmysuper]

First of all, they are dirt cheap, and it may be counter productive to purchase materials and expend effort to extend the life of a .20 cent blade -
But, the issue is keeping the blade dry.
Oil displaces water, as does alcohol or drying the blade, that is why those things do work.
Again, though - your spending money on stuff to extend the life of a cheap consumable, and for me - my time has value as well.

 

[Grace]

I can see the want to extend blade life if you're looking at NOS blades, like the coveted Gillette Swedes. There's a how-to video somewhere about palm-stropping DE blades, but I can't seem to dig it up. Supposedly that extends the life quite a bit as well.

 

[HeF]

I have found that immersing the razor in alcohol after using it extends the life of a blade, due to the drying action mentioned before. I would say the use of mineral oil might be more trouble than it is worth, considering how sticky it is.

 

[mdunn]

it will buy you (maybe) an extra shave or so.

 

[dignifried]

I have to agree, the blades are so cheap it does not seem worth the effort.

I hear you can strop a DE blade inside a glass. I'm not sure exactly how it's done but I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable gentlemen here could help.

 

[82R100]

I dipped my blade in oil for a while but it gets messy for the razor, as it tends to wick between the blade and the razor contact surfaces.

I don't recommend soaking in alcohol, mostly because it involves retrieving the blade from the alcohol bath later. I dip the head of the razor in alcohol after I shave to flush the water out and speed up drying and it seems to work fine.

- Chris

 

[ppearce]

All answers read and understood.
I think I'll try just dipping head of razor w/blade in water after shaving for a while just to see.
I know the $ is just about inconsequential, but I'm a curious guy.

Thanks all.

 

[Mr. Imperial]

I actually just bought a thing of mineral oil (couldn't find it for the longest time...turns out it was in the pharmacy with the laxatives, lol) for this very purpose, because I've heard the same things. I'll try to remember to update with my progress.

 

[timmy]

I can see the want to extend blade life if you're looking at NOS blades, like the coveted Gillette Swedes. There's a how-to video somewhere about palm-stropping DE blades, but I can't seem to dig it up. Supposedly that extends the life quite a bit as well.

Link to the hand stropping thread
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=81867

 

[82R100]

All answers read and understood.
I think I'll try just dipping head of razor w/blade in water after shaving for a while just to see.
I know the $ is just about inconsequential, but I'm a curious guy.

In water?

 

[memoryleak]

Pyramid Power!

 

[goby]

I swish mine in a little jar of alcohol. Even if doesn't work, it's cheap and part of my zen morning routine.

 

[curtis909]

first of all, they are dirt cheap, and it may be counter productive to purchase materials and expend effort to extend the life of a .20 cent blade -
but, the issue is keeping the blade dry.
Oil displaces water, as does alcohol or drying the blade, that is why those things do work.
Again, though - your spending money on stuff to extend the life of a cheap consumable, and for me - my time has value as well.

+1