Blade Dullness Phenomenon

[jcm03c]

This is the second time this happens to me: If I leave a used blade out of the razor, it dulls...?

The back story is that on my regular razor rotation when I know I want to shave with something different the next day I take out the blade and leave it to the side of the faucet lying on top of the wrapper the blade came in (so the blade is sitting on top of the wrapper, exposed). For some reason, the second time I go to use the blade it is significantly duller. To make sure it's not a razor issue I pop it back in the razor I used the previous day and same result.... a dragging, uncomfortable cut. This has happened to me with Red IP's and just recently with a Derby.

Anyone else have a similar experience? Needless to say I'm not going to keep experimenting to see if the results are consistent because that would be just wreckless..... who wants to waste their blades!?!? Anyways, please do share if this has happened to you. But, don't waste your blades trying this at home kids.

[Boyextraordinare]

Never had this occur to me. The less I tamper with a blade, the longer it lasts - period.

[Luc]

I had something similar when I started shaving. I do not know what happened. I think it was with a Merkur blade. As soon as I switched blade, it was ok. I think I had the same pattern with a few Derby but as soon as I opened a new pack of each (yup, crazy enough to buy more Merkur), well, they were right (4-7 shaves). My only conclusion might be that I got a bunch of defective blades.

The other thing that happened to me lately is that I started using a slant. For some reason, I cannot do more than 2 shaves without changing the blade (regardless of the blade). I when through everything I have and all my blades react the same. I took my good old TECH out of the box and, 5th shave now...

So, might be the blade, not really the razor since you switched it...

Which blade(s)/razor(s) are you using?

[Jake]

Have you tried hand stropping? Or forearm as some suggest. It does seem to take off any roughness on the edge.

[jcm03c]

Hey guys thanks for the replies:

Luc, yeah I came to the same conclusion that it had to be blade. That particular day I was using a 39c with a Derby, then the next day decided to use my Fatboy and it was scraping/tugging the hair. So to test the theory I put it back in the 39c slant and same thing was occurring.

Jake, I dont do hand stropping or corking, I really haven't found the need for it, I get pleasant shaves regularly. Trust me I'm not leaving the blade out again.

I just wanted to pass on the info in case someone experiences the same thing.... And therefore, also test this anomaly.... Thanks everyone!

[Luc]

I usually leave the blade in, unless the blade fairy is using your razor overnight, it wouldn't matter if the blade is loaded or not...

Try your Fatboy first then go to the Slant, see how it goes...

[StillShaving]

... I take out the blade and leave it to the side of the faucet...

Could there be some over spray or mist from using the faucet during the day? Oxidation will occur fairly quickly and dull the edge if left moist. You might try drying the blade and moving to some protected location to see if it will stay sharp longer. I was having problems with blades rusting while in the razor and did a rusting razor blade test (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=63169), which just shows what moisture will do if left on the blade.

[Boyextraordinare]

Coated blades don't rust. No worries. I've tons of old Gillette Mach 3s and Fusions and Sensors which have been laying around the bathroom for years, unused, and to the naked eye the blades appear to be as good as new.

[Haiku]

Coated blades don't rust. No worries. I've tons of old Gillette Mach 3s and Fusions and Sensors which have been laying around the bathroom for years, unused, and to the naked eye the blades appear to be as good as new.

Here's where I have to disagree in that I don't think it's quite that simple. All metal that we come into contact with in our daily lives, including stainless steel will oxidize or rust. Stainless just rusts slower than carbon.

And there really is no way to know what happens to the metal when it comes into contact with shave soap or cream. Shave cream is slightly acidic for example and it has other chemicals in it. I don't doubt that these will make a blade to deteriorate.

I've gotten into the habit of swishing my razor in an alcohol bath before and after a shave. I seem to have far far less redness problems now. I suspect that my blades remain sharper longer too.

[SilverKarn]

Are you sure you are not flipping the blade upside down when you put it in the razor again?

Example. Using a derby i put the blade in with the 1 and 2 facing up, the next day if i put the blade in with the 3 and 4 facing up the blade will shave HORRIBLY.

[jcm03c]

Are you sure you are not flipping the blade upside down when you put it in the razor again?

Example. Using a derby i put the blade in with the 1 and 2 facing up, the next day if i put the blade in with the 3 and 4 facing up the blade will shave HORRIBLY.

I've blind tested this and have not been able to tell the difference between any of the sides of the Derby's. I suggest you try this if you haven't already because at the end of the day it might just be in your head..... But then again lets slap a big YMMV on this too. Oh yeah, and that question just came up here:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=81641

[jcm03c]

So rust might actually be the culprit even though my blades were used and I also used the next day but nevertheless this little experiment seems noteworthy:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=63169

[SilverKarn]

I've blind tested this and have not been able to tell the difference between any of the sides of the Derby's. I suggest you try this if you haven't already because at the end of the day it might just be in your head..... But then again lets slap a big YMMV on this too. Oh yeah, and that question just came up here:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=81641


I was not talking about the numbered sides, but from my experience after using a blade once or twice, flipping the blade upside down before the next shave makes it feel like the blade is pulling my whiskers out instead of cutting them.

I've done this on accident numerous times while switching razors, and if its a coincidence then its a damn big one.

[jcm03c]

I was not talking about the numbered sides, but from my experience after using a blade once or twice, flipping the blade upside down before the next shave makes it feel like the blade is pulling my whiskers out instead of cutting them.

I've done this on accident numerous times while switching razors, and if its a coincidence then its a damn big one.

Oh, gotcha. Yup, I might have inadvertently flipped the darn blade. And therefore, that's my one variable not controlled. The funny thing is that there are users here that actually prefer to flip their blade after each shave. I personally don't because if you think about it a person who shaves WTG and ATG uses both sides of the blade anyways. The only variable I see at play when flipping is that the ATG pass, because it is usually a more aggressive pass, might "use up" the blade more. And therefore flipping it allows the side that was previously used for WTG to now become the ATG side, and therefore perform better. Who knows...? I've found that in shaving, theory and practice are highly uncorrelated: In theory me leaving the blade unloaded and you flipping the blade shouldn't make a difference, however, in practice we're left with two pretty "damn big" coincidences.

Thanks for the reply.

[Boyextraordinare]

Here's where I have to disagree in that I don't think it's quite that simple. All metal that we come into contact with in our daily lives, including stainless steel will oxidize or rust. Stainless just rusts slower than carbon.

And there really is no way to know what happens to the metal when it comes into contact with shave soap or cream. Shave cream is slightly acidic for example and it has other chemicals in it. I don't doubt that these will make a blade to deteriorate.

I've gotten into the habit of swishing my razor in an alcohol bath before and after a shave. I seem to have far far less redness problems now. I suspect that my blades remain sharper longer too.

What about the platinum-chrome coatings?

[Seamaster]

I've gotten into the habit of swishing my razor in an alcohol bath before and after a shave. I seem to have far far less redness problems now. I suspect that my blades remain sharper longer too.

So do I, and with the same results. I've become quite evangelical about the before-and-after alcohol swish.

[Audiolab]

So do I, and with the same results. I've become quite evangelical about the before-and-after alcohol swish.

I have never removed a blade other than to bin it and have never reinserted a blade that has been out of a razor back in, but from reading above not sure if I want to.

Sorry can you please explain this alcohol bath? do you have a tub full of isopropyl or some other alcohol....Jack Daniels perhaps...mmmmm the smell when shaving....I presume this tub would need a lid as alcohol would evaporate.

Thanks and excuse my ignorance, just never heard of it before. I remembers barbers having the big tube where all scissors and stuff got put between cuts to sterilise it, is it something like that?

[Haiku]

I have never removed a blade other than to bin it and have never reinserted a blade that has been out of a razor back in, but from reading above not sure if I want to.

Sorry can you please explain this alcohol bath? do you have a tub full of isopropyl or some other alcohol....Jack Daniels perhaps...mmmmm the smell when shaving....I presume this tub would need a lid as alcohol would evaporate.

Thanks and excuse my ignorance, just never heard of it before. I remembers barbers having the big tube where all scissors and stuff got put between cuts to sterilise it, is it something like that?

Actually, yes to both questions and it's rye not bourbon. I wouldn't want to waste bourbon. :rolleyes:

What I have is an empty Proraso pre/post jar, that I've filled it with 70% rubbing alcohol. Before I shave I just sit the head of my razor in the jar while I lather up. This, I believe, kills any bacteria on the blade edge and since I've been doing this, I've dramatically reduced the redness/irritation on my face after an aggressive shave.

After the shave, after rinsing the razor off in hot water, I shake the excess water off and again dip the razor in the alcohol and swish it around so that the alcohol gets into all the nooks and crannies of the razor.

I then set it to dry, with the head angled down. I find that it dries right away and that pretty much all moisture just evaporates.

I change the alcohol every two weeks or so.

I wish I was the one who thought this one up, but I picked up this trick on this forum.

Someone at some point posted that he thought doing this removed the coating off the edge of the blade. I don't know about that, I just know it works well for me.

[waterbear]

I keep my blades in a pyramid at the focal point oriented to the earth's magnetic poles! :wink:
(Such a device was actually sold in the '70s btw! It was claimed to keep razor blades sharp by aligning the molecules in the l blades edge with 'pyramid power'! I know this because I had one that was given to me! Wish I still had it!:w00t:)
http://ask.metafilter.com/15405/Pyramid-blade-sharpener-real-or-urban-legend
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_power

[Haiku]

I keep my blades in a pyramid at the focal point oriented to the earth's magnetic poles! :wink:
(Such a device was actually sold in the '70s btw! It was claimed to keep razor blades sharp by aligning the molecules in the l blades edge with 'pyramid power'! I know this because I had one that was given to me! Wish I still had it!:w00t:)
http://ask.metafilter.com/15405/Pyramid-blade-sharpener-real-or-urban-legend
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_power

I remember them well. These type of things go round you know. It may be time for this product to make a comeback...:001_rolle

[Audiolab]

Actually, yes to both questions and it's rye not bourbon. I wouldn't want to waste bourbon. :rolleyes:

What I have is an empty Proraso pre/post jar, that I've filled it with 70% rubbing alcohol. Before I shave I just sit the head of my razor in the jar while I lather up. This, I believe, kills any bacteria on the blade edge and since I've been doing this, I've dramatically reduced the redness/irritation on my face after an aggressive shave.

After the shave, after rinsing the razor off in hot water, I shake the excess water off and again dip the razor in the alcohol and swish it around so that the alcohol gets into all the nooks and crannies of the razor.

I then set it to dry, with the head angled down. I find that it dries right away and that pretty much all moisture just evaporates.

I change the alcohol every two weeks or so.

I wish I was the one who thought this one up, but I picked up this trick on this forum.

Someone at some point posted that he thought doing this removed the coating off the edge of the blade. I don't know about that, I just know it works well for me.


Thanks for that, I guess using glass is best because Alcohol will melt some plastics. As luck would have it I am nearly finished a jar or the pre/post Proraso cream so I will give this a try. I can see a few listings for 70% IPA on the bay. I will try the pharmacy first and failing that order some online.

Thanks again much appeciated.

[Audiolab]

Just found that the head of the Futur is too large for the Proraso tub so will look around for something a little wider.

[SilverKarn]

Just found that the head of the Futur is too large for the Proraso tub so will look around for something a little wider.

I use one of those tin cases that come with Zippo lighters.

I took the felt out of the inside and filled it with alcohol, after my shave i drop the razor into the tin. I use a VERY thin amount of alcohol, just enough to cover the blade completely, i then change the alcohol every shave.

Blades last me 4-6 shaves.

[Audiolab]

OK must look for a zippo tin on ebay or something similar, thanks will check that out.

[Haiku]

Thanks for that, I guess using glass is best because Alcohol will melt some plastics. As luck would have it I am nearly finished a jar or the pre/post Proraso cream so I will give this a try. I can see a few listings for 70% IPA on the bay. I will try the pharmacy first and failing that order some online.

Thanks again much appeciated.

You're quite welcome. Silverkarn though has an idea that I didn't think of: just dip the blade and not the whole razor in the alcohol.

I would think that rubbing alcohol can be found in just about any pharmacy, I get it in a local drugstore, 500ml for $2 or $3. A half litre lasts lor months.

[Stubblefield]

And there really is no way to know what happens to the metal when it comes into contact with shave soap or cream. Shave cream is slightly acidic for example and it has other chemicals in it. I don't doubt that these will make a blade to deteriorate.

I've gotten into the habit of swishing my razor in an alcohol bath before and after a shave. I seem to have far far less redness problems now. I suspect that my blades remain sharper longer too.I too have been doing this (by accident, really) and I do seem to get a bit less irritation. Good tip.

BTW: I do believe most soaps/creams are basic, and not acidic. :wink:

[Haiku]

I too have been doing this (by accident, really) and I do seem to get a bit less irritation. Good tip.

BTW: I do believe most soaps/creams are basic, and not acidic. :wink:

It is a good tip, I wish I was the one who thought of it.

I stand corrected: basic. I thought that the acids that I see listed on my shave creams would make them acidic, but I've not tested.

[Anton von Tripp]

As to the seeming inadvisability of shifting a blade from razor to razor, is it possible that on first insertion the blade somehow conforms to the blade gap, weight and angle etc. of the first razor and is then unable to re-conform itself to the new razor? (having been "moulded" as it were in one particular position when new).

I am neither an Engineer or a Metalurgist so I may not have expressed myself properly but I hope you get the idea.

Cordially, AvT.

[SRock]

I've never experienced this.

[Audiolab]

As a result of this thread I now have a table top Barbicide jar on the way and am collecting some rubbing alcohol from the pharmacy tomorrow. I will try swishing the razor before and after use and stick to blades and soap that I know very well (at least initially) so this hopefully should be help me to determine if this works for me or not, either way it is not a bad hygene routine to get in the habit of doing each day.

I don't doubt that there is a potential placebo effect but I will try to resist and give it an honest go. This also gives me a good jar for soaking any razors in Barbicide as and when needed.

Will let you know how this goes.

[Haiku]

As to the seeming inadvisability of shifting a blade from razor to razor, is it possible that on first insertion the blade somehow conforms to the blade gap, weight and angle etc. of the first razor and is then unable to re-conform itself to the new razor? (having been "moulded" as it were in one particular position when new).

I am neither an Engineer or a Metalurgist so I may not have expressed myself properly but I hope you get the idea.

Cordially, AvT.

I believe I know exactly what you're thinking as I've wondered about this as well. I eventually concluded that blades do not "mould" as it were, but there is an affect on the edge of a blade that comes in part from the particular razor.

If blades did "mould" then adjustable razors wouldn't work as well as they do I would think. These razors do change the blade gap and provide very different shaves when they are adjusted.

Now that having been said, blades will "wear" as they are used. And that I believe is where the issue may arise. I suspect that there is a pattern of wear on the edge of a blade as it is used. I am quite sure that this pattern of wear will differ razor to razor. And so if one changes blade to a different razor after use, it may not shave as well as it ought. It may on the other hand shave better I suppose.

For what it's worth, I understand that the method shaving guru, I've forgotten his name Charles perhaps, recommends that one flips a blade over after two shaves. I believe the idea is to ensure that there is an even pattern of wear on both sides of the blade edge.

I find that I can extend the life of a blade rather dramatically by using it every other day or every two or three days. In other words, if the blade "rests" the metal will tend to go back to its original shape. And so if the blade wear makes the edge of the blade "wavy" those waves seem to straighten themselves out a bit. The blade still gets dull, and it may get nicked, but the waviness issue seems to self-correct. This, I understand, was the theory behind the old 7-day straight razor sets. All I know is that it seems to work for me.

[Houndawg]

You guys are putting too much thought into this.

Your wife is using your razor to shave her legs and is putting the blade back on the sink.

[Haiku]

You guys are putting too much thought into this.

Your wife is using your razor to shave her legs and is putting the blade back on the sink.

Darn but I wish I had come up with that! :lol: