I’ve seen many, and have a couple, vintage straight razors with bragging rights of being magnetic, or magnetized. What is the scientific theory behind magnetism and razors?
Straight Razor “Magnetic” ?
- Thread starter ouchyfoot
- Start date
I don't think there is any science behind it. It was more than likely a marketing ploy.
- Thread starter
- #3
We know that, but what exactly was the ploy?
That they are superior due to their magnetic properties.
Sent from my CLT-L29 using Tapatalk
From what I've been able to find out, the company claimed to use a "process of electric tempering"; the pitch was that thermal tempering could not be done with a consistent heat, while electric tempering gave a uniform result along the entire blade. I don't know if the process actually magnetized it, but it was 'electromagnetic'.
A marketing-speak way of saying carbon steel? I use magnets to hang my straights but my stainless feather shavettes have to lay down since they are immune to the call of the magnet.
- Thread starter
- #7
The blade on this razor is magnetic. I hope it doesn't get pulled through my cheek as it gets attracted to the metal in my fillings
Back in the 1800s magnetism was new to most people and often believed to be healthy and a natural remedy to any kind of illness. The magnetism was believed to go into the body and neutralise illness, a few people still believe in this old wifes tale.
When magnetism went out of fashion a belief in that radioactivity and X-rays was healthy took its place, hence razor names like Radium or the x-ray sign on Törnblom razors.
Don't scoff at those that held these beliefs, they weren't stupid just uneducated, besides despite today's higher level of education I frequently read stories about modern people who believe in the weirdest things.
When magnetism went out of fashion a belief in that radioactivity and X-rays was healthy took its place, hence razor names like Radium or the x-ray sign on Törnblom razors.
Don't scoff at those that held these beliefs, they weren't stupid just uneducated, besides despite today's higher level of education I frequently read stories about modern people who believe in the weirdest things.
- Thread starter
- #9
Electricity was a super spa cure-all back in the day. Unfortunately a lot of people were electrocute. Any time something new is discovered, a snake oil salesman will try to profit from it.
Electricity bath
Electricity bath
rbscebu
Girls call me Makaluod
Here is the truth.
Hair (whiskers) contain a certain amount of iron (Fe). As such, they are attracted to magnetised steel SR's. This does two things; it helps to extend the hair out of its folical and attracts the hair towards the edge. This all gives a more comfortable shave with a smoother finish.
The only downside to using a magnetic SR is that it needs about 50% longer to rest in between shaves. You also need to wipe the edge clean after each stoke during honing to remove any steel particles. All just a minor inconvenience.
Now you have your answer.
Hair (whiskers) contain a certain amount of iron (Fe). As such, they are attracted to magnetised steel SR's. This does two things; it helps to extend the hair out of its folical and attracts the hair towards the edge. This all gives a more comfortable shave with a smoother finish.
The only downside to using a magnetic SR is that it needs about 50% longer to rest in between shaves. You also need to wipe the edge clean after each stoke during honing to remove any steel particles. All just a minor inconvenience.
Now you have your answer.
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rbscebu, are you telling porkies?
I find it hard to believe that the amount of iron in a hair follicle is sufficient for it to be influenced by a magnetised razor.
And the "longer rest" claim cries out for a scientific explanation, not that I'm necessarily dubious about it.
Still, I agree that such a razor would be frustrating to hone, what with the grindings clinging to it and all.
I find it hard to believe that the amount of iron in a hair follicle is sufficient for it to be influenced by a magnetised razor.
And the "longer rest" claim cries out for a scientific explanation, not that I'm necessarily dubious about it.
Still, I agree that such a razor would be frustrating to hone, what with the grindings clinging to it and all.
Old tech. My next razor will be 5G.
- Thread starter
- #14
I’m still sticking to the one that says the ability to be magnetized and hold onto the magnetic charge speaks to the quality of the steel and the iron content used in the razor.
rbscebu
Girls call me Makaluod
What! You don't believe me?
Okay, it's not my field of expertise, but it sounded good.
"Magnetic" goods, along with "radiant" goods were simply an attempt to make the buyer believe they were getting more value for money. Lest we think this is old-fashioned, how many products today are billed as "anti-bacterial?"
And just as in those days, we see people today wearing non-functional copies of more expensive and newly-fashionable goods.
O.H.
And just as in those days, we see people today wearing non-functional copies of more expensive and newly-fashionable goods.
O.H.
There wasn't one. It sounded good so they put it on a razor.
And you can sharpen it under a pyramid.
Basically there were a squillion razors competing for market share, and they were all trying to come up with a point of difference. Most of it was snake oil. But you can’t blame them for trying.
Basically there were a squillion razors competing for market share, and they were all trying to come up with a point of difference. Most of it was snake oil. But you can’t blame them for trying.
Here is a period advertisement for the Carbo-Magnetic from McClure's Magazine in 1911.
I found it on google books.
www.google.com/books/edition/McClure_s_Magazine/H9U5AQAAMAAJ
I found it on google books.
www.google.com/books/edition/McClure_s_Magazine/H9U5AQAAMAAJ
It is kind of hard to read. Here is what the text says.
"Fire heat is never uniform; electricity can be exactly measured
and regulated as desired.
That is why the electric tempering of the Carbo-Magnetic Razor Blade is absolutely uniform from end to end.
The edge of a razor is a series of fine, but irregular teeth. Dul (sic) razors are those on which
the teeth have broken off or turned; broken off on the brittle razors turned on soft ones.
Because of the added toughness of our recarbonized steel, coupled with the flintlike hardness
created by our process of electric tempering, the teeth on the Carbo-Magnetic are so tough that
they will neither break nor bend; hence our guarantee with common sense use.
Every Carbo-Magnetic Razor is guaranteed to be and do easily what this advertisement claims for it.
From your dealer or from us, prepaid, on 30 days' free trial.
Write for our booklet "SHAVINGS"; it describes the wonderful electric tempering more fully and contains a bit of information about shaving and shaving accessories."
"Fire heat is never uniform; electricity can be exactly measured
and regulated as desired.
That is why the electric tempering of the Carbo-Magnetic Razor Blade is absolutely uniform from end to end.
The edge of a razor is a series of fine, but irregular teeth. Dul (sic) razors are those on which
the teeth have broken off or turned; broken off on the brittle razors turned on soft ones.
Because of the added toughness of our recarbonized steel, coupled with the flintlike hardness
created by our process of electric tempering, the teeth on the Carbo-Magnetic are so tough that
they will neither break nor bend; hence our guarantee with common sense use.
Every Carbo-Magnetic Razor is guaranteed to be and do easily what this advertisement claims for it.
From your dealer or from us, prepaid, on 30 days' free trial.
Write for our booklet "SHAVINGS"; it describes the wonderful electric tempering more fully and contains a bit of information about shaving and shaving accessories."
