Is it possible to sharpen razors?  How to sharpen a razor at home: instructions for different methods

Is it possible to sharpen razors? How to sharpen a razor at home: instructions for different methods

A razor for a man is an item for personal use and daily use for shaving. Regardless of which machine is used, disposable or reusable cassette, the blades in them become unusable after some time. Even those made of high quality steel become dull after a while. It is impossible to shave with them - irritation and small cuts on the skin are guaranteed with such shaving.

Sharpening blades of disposable machines

If disposable razors can be changed without regret, since they are cheap, then changing cartridges in a reusable razor requires significant financial costs. But razors can be given a “second” life by extending their service life several times. Sharpening shaving blades can help with this. This can easily be done at home.

1. Sharpening with denim

This is the most easy way, which does not require any financial or physical costs. How to sharpen a blade without straight razor, if this is a disposable machine? Before you start sharpening, the razor must be prepared by cleaning it from dirt, rinsing it under running water and wiping it dry with a terry towel. After preparation, the following actions are performed:

  • denim fabric is being prepared. In order to protect it from small cuts, the fabric is turned inside out and placed on the table, that is, on a flat surface.
  • a solid, even object (ruler, block) is placed under it, having a smaller width compared to the width of the blade. The machine must move freely over the surface of the object located under the fabric.
  • a dense lining is located under the fabric, the hem of which runs diagonally.
  • The razor blade is placed on a ruler or block and drawn in the opposite direction to shaving 50 - 60 times.
  • the machine is turned and the other side of the razor is ground the same number of times.

In this way, the “life” of the razor is extended several times.

2. Sharpening with a leather belt

In addition to denim, good sharpening results can be achieved by using a leather belt or a piece of leather from something. The procedure is carried out according to the same rules as using denim.

  • The blade of the machine is sharpened on the reverse, unpainted side of the belt.
  • The result of the action will be faster than sharpening on fabric, due to the density of the belt leather.
  • You need to move the razor blade along the belt half as much, that is, 10 - 20 times on one side and the other of the shaving surface.

In addition to a regular leather belt, you can use a belt used for straightening straight razors to sharpen the razor. How to sharpen a razor blade on this belt?

A belt for straightening a straight razor is a piece of leather with wooden handles attached to the ends of the belt, or the same piece of leather, but attached to a wooden block, that is, it has a flat surface. Sharpening a disposable razor with this belt is not particularly difficult. After 10 - 20 passes, the blade returns to its previous cutting ability, and the razor becomes as good as new.

3. Sharpening using the forearm

How to sharpen a razor blade if there are no available tools? To make the razor sharper, you can use with my own hand. The skin on the forearm, covered with vellus hair, resembles the structure of the leather of a belt. This property can be used to advantage.

  • The disposable razor is carried from the elbow to the wrist.
  • the sharp part of the machine turns away from itself.
  • The razor is passed over the skin of the hand ten to twenty times.
  • Having turned the machine, it should be guided from the wrist to the elbow.

This way you can sharpen the blade of a disposable machine. The quality of sharpening in this case will be slightly lower than the same action carried out on denim or on a belt. This is explained by the fact that the “living” skin of the hand is softer, and the grip on the shaving surface is less than when sharpening on other objects. The result of such sharpening is of less quality. But in some cases this method is quite acceptable.

4. Sharpening using a pyramid

The most unusual method of sharpening razor blades is the pyramid method. Despite the fact that it is patented and exists, the mechanism of this action cannot be explained. To carry out this method, it is necessary to make a certain structure.

4.1. Pyramid parameters

A pyramid is made from various materials. You can use drywall, regular cardboard or chipboard.

  • The base of the pyramid is a square measuring 500 by 500 mm.
  • the height of the edge is 400 mm.
  • rib length – 480 mm.
  • pyramid height – 320 mm.
  • the height of the pedestal for the blade is one third of the height of the pyramid, that is, 107 mm.

The structure is glued using Moment glue or liquid nails. The main condition for the operation of the pyramid is the location of the faces and base of the structure along the cardinal points. The installation of the pyramid is carried out according to the compass. The edge of the pyramid is located to the north, and the sharpened blades “look” from south to north or vice versa.

4.2. Sharpening method

The blade of the machine is placed on the pedestal in the finished pyramid. A prerequisite for sharpening is that it does not come into contact with any objects. The razor remains in the pyramid for a week. After this period ends, it regains its original quality of sharpness.

Sharpening blades of reusable machines

Shaving machines are produced not only in disposable, but also in reusable versions. How to sharpen a razor blade on a cassette, and is there any way to do this?

The use of reusable machines takes much longer than disposable ones. But after a certain time, the blades of these devices become dull. You can sharpen a replacement cartridge using the same methods as disposable razors:

  • using denim;
  • using a belt;
  • using the skin of the hand;
  • using a pyramid.

The effect of sharpening by any of these methods will definitely be, in some cases greater, in others less. This method allows you to extend the life of razors and save money on purchasing new ones. Restoring blades after repeated use means you can always shave with a sharp razor, avoiding irritation and scratches on the skin.

A razor is an indispensable attribute of a man, designed to maintain personal hygiene. The device is used to eliminate excess hair.

Today, the following types of shaving systems are distinguished: rotary and foil. Unlike a machine, these devices do not require the use of water, are mobile, simple and safe to use, reduce the likelihood of cuts to a minimum, do not irritate the skin, and require rare blade replacement (depending on the model - once every 0.5-3 years ). However, they are not able to remove stubble “at the root” and ensure smooth skin. As a result, the number of adherents of wet “inexpensive” shaving is not decreasing.

Intensive use of the machine leads to rapid dulling of the blades. Today, the network presents various variations of restoring the performance of a device with a detailed description of the technology for performing the work and video.

A striking example of a high quality razor is Gillette. For a century, the Company has been producing devices and skin care products that are popular in Europe.

There are cases when the need to extend the service life of an old device is urgent, and it is not possible to purchase a new device. Let's look at how to sharpen a vest razor on jeans and quickly solve this problem.

Video training “How to sharpen a gilet razor on jeans”

Advantages of a razor

At the end of the 19th century, the American inventor King Camp Gillette first proposed placing a sharp blade in a handle holder. Due to the undeniable advantages of disposable machines, they have become firmly established in everyday human life.

Advantages of the Gillette razor

  1. High shaving quality. When removing unwanted vegetation, the device comes into direct contact with the skin of the face. The first razor blade lifts the hair, and the second blade cuts the stubble at the root.
  2. Low cost.
  3. Availability. You can buy a disposable razor or replace the razor cassette either at a newsstand or in a supermarket.
  4. No need for electricity.
  5. Hygiene. Due to the fact that a disposable razor is used for a short time (2 – 3 weeks), the risk of harmful bacteria appearing on the blades is minimal.
  6. Easy to maintain. Cleaning a Gillette razor involves rinsing the device under running hot water.

To increase the service life of the machine, it is important to know how to properly sharpen a straight razor.

Algorithm for sharpening a razor on jeans

The sharpness of the cutting blades is the main criterion for choosing a quality razor. Since a “dull” machine leaves excess facial hair and causes micro-damage to the skin, it is therefore important to maintain it in “good” condition.

Let's consider the least expensive way to sharpen the “handle-blade” - rubbing it on jeans.

Necessary materials:

  • tight jeans;
  • a block or foil sleeve;
  • disposable razor.

It is important to perform the blade sharpening procedure on a flat, stable surface.

Method for sharpening a razor at home

  1. Place the block under the jeans.
  2. Sand the machine blades. To do this, rub a safety razor on jeans 50 times in one direction and 50 in the other. The direction of movement of the device is “from yourself”.

After this procedure, the sharpness of the blades increases 2-3 times. Thus, properly sharpening a razor on jeans is a safe and economical option, which increases the service life of the cutting product by 2 times.

The availability and convenience of razors has led to them being extremely popular among both men and women. But it’s not enough just to choose good razor, you still need to use and store it correctly so that it lasts longer and performs its functions efficiently. That’s why owners have questions about how to sharpen a razor so that the procedure gives the best possible result.

Most users do not try to sharpen blades at home, thinking that it is difficult and unlikely. But some still decide to find such methods and extend the life of the razor.

Such methods do exist and are quite effective at home. Although, of course, a razor blade is not a knife, it cannot be updated in the usual way.

Why sharpen your blades yourself?

The question of the appropriateness of sharpening procedures for razor blades is relevant, and there are several answers to it. Firstly, it allows you to extend the life of the machine. That is, instead of throwing away the razor, you can renew it and use it for the same amount of time.

Secondly, it saves money. After all, purchasing replacement cassettes regularly requires significant financial investments. And sharpening and updating them will help put off going to the store for at least a few months.

Thirdly, it is not always possible to buy replacement cassettes, but shaving is safe and sometimes simply necessary urgently. In order not to put off shaving until you buy a new blade, you can sharpen it and enjoy the result.

Sharpening a razor is a useful and convenient skill that can save money. Having tried to use any of the blade sharpening methods once, each user will be able to learn and perform the procedure quickly and efficiently.

Using a special sharpening device

Demand always creates supply, so not long ago special devices for sharpening blades at home appeared on the market. The device is a handle equipped with a small strip of plastic, on the surface of which a special abrasive is applied. It allows you to sharpen disposable and reusable razors with equal efficiency, extending their service life several times.

A prominent representative of such devices is the RazorPit device from a Danish company, although it also has a cheaper analogue Zattoch Ukrainian production. The devices are easy to use and give good results. The sequence of actions includes the following steps:

  1. Apply a little to the surface of the device cosmetic product– gel or foam.
  2. Use the cutting part of the razor to move along the abrasive in the direction opposite to how the razor moves during the shaving process.
  3. Depending on how long you use the machine, 25-30 movements are enough to get the blades sharp again.

The procedure is simple and effective, but you need to understand that the razor sharpening device itself also costs money. It may be cheaper to update replacement cassettes on the machine.

Sharpening the blade using denim

Instead of a blade sharpener, you can use denim or any ribbed fabric. The effect of this procedure is practically no different from using special devices, but it is cheaper and simpler. The procedure is as follows:

  1. Jeans need to be turned inside out.
  2. Under a small piece of fabric you need to place some kind of dense thing - a cardboard cylinder, a wooden block or a ruler.
  3. Jeans are usually made from bias-cut fabric, so the thick lining needs to be laid flat. If the jeans are sewn straight, then the base must be fixed diagonally.
  4. The razor is drawn across the fabric in the opposite direction to a normal shave. This sharpens the blades and keeps the fabric intact.

You can repeat the blade sharpening procedures several times until the steel becomes so thin that it can no longer be restored. But before this happens, you can use the machine much longer without spending much money.

If you need to sharpen the blades of an electric razor, it is better to contact a specialist. Its peculiarity is that for any action the razor will have to be partially disassembled, which means that then it will need to be assembled. For a beginner, this is not always a simple and easy procedure. But sharpening the blades of a conventional machine is a very real process that is worth trying at least once.

Numerous manufacturers of men's accessories and shaving accessories offer disposable and reusable razors with blades made of quality materials. But sooner or later, any blade will begin to lose its properties, especially if you do not provide the machine with decent care, proper operation and storage. In this regard, experts offer many techniques for sharpening machine blades, many of which can be used at home.

Many men know how to sharpen a razor at home, since several people have been practicing for many years. old ways. Today, many new ideas have been invented that also sharpen blades quickly and easily, extending their service life. It is only important to follow all the details and instructions, otherwise you may damage the sharp cutting surface.

Sharpening a razor at home: what is important to know

Many men believe that sharpening blades for a machine is an unlikely or completely useless task. Especially considering the fact that there is a huge assortment of new blades and cassettes on sale in stores. In fact, high-quality razors cost a lot of money, as do blades for such models. Therefore, experts recommend saving money and sharpening blades, unless, of course, you use a cheap disposable razor.

Have you ever sharpened your razor?

YesNo

Sharpen similar ways There are only a few types of razors:

  • disposable machine;
  • reusable razors with cassettes;
  • T-shaped machines.

If in addition correct application and care to sharpen the blades, a man will be able to provide himself with a high-quality wet shave and save money on the purchase of a machine or blades. Otherwise, the blades will not only cut hairs poorly and pull them out, but also scrape off the top layer of skin. An important condition for sharpening is to follow the instructions for all stages, otherwise you can dull the cutting surface even more.

For reference! If a man does not have the skills and knowledge of how to sharpen razor blades, you can contact a specialist who has in his arsenal a machine for sharpening razor blades and other devices for professional sharpening.

Step by step guide

Today, the most pressing request from men in forums and communities is as follows - how to sharpen the razor blades of a Vest. This manufacturer offers high-quality machines with replaceable cassettes, which you can easily extend the shelf life yourself, without the help of a specialist. Most often, two devices are used for this action - a pyramid razor blade sharpener or ordinary denim.

You can make a pyramid yourself from a material that is incapable of magnetization, for example, plexiglass or cardboard. It is secured with glue or tape; it is prohibited to use metal fasteners. Further sharpening is carried out as follows:

  • mark the pyramid on a hard, straight surface;
  • then the pyramid is oriented to the cardinal points;
  • the razor blades should be placed along the pyramid in the north-south direction;
  • the blades should lie in this state under the pyramid for 6-8 hours.

The same method can be used to sharpen blades for cassette razors such as Gillette and other brands.

Many men have been successfully practicing the technique for many years, noting its ease of use and high efficiency. Using a special device from RazorPit or Zattoch, blades on a cassette or removable blades are sharpened as follows:

  • Apply a little shaving gel to the surface of the device;
  • further along the abrasive surface, but in the opposite direction, as during shaving, movements are made with the machine;
  • make 25-30 such movements at a time;
  • At the end, the machine and working fixture will need to be rinsed with water.

Just 5-10 minutes of such manipulations will be enough to revive the blades of the machine and give the razor a second life. This will not only save money, but also provide a man with high-quality and effective shaving of stubble and mustache without irritation and other consequences.

Handy tools to help

If a device such as a razor sharpener is not suitable for a man, you can use improvised means, for example, denim. This is one of the first methods that was invented by men many years ago. It is enough to simply turn the fabric inside out, and then run the loom with the blades inside against the direction of the fabric threads 30-40 times, but without pressing.

Another handy method is a leather belt, and sharpening the blades follows the same scenario as with denim. You need to choose a belt that does not have frayed areas or creases, otherwise the surface of the blades will be damaged. You need to move the blades along the belt from its wrong side. This will maintain the integrity of the painted side of the belt while improving the functionality of the machine.

Is it important to use special devices?

In fact, any selected razor sharpener must be approved by experts, since leather belt, pyramid or denim. Other unfamiliar techniques and untested means at hand can easily damage the integrity of the blades, since we are talking about a metal plate with a thickness of 0.5 mm or less. Although there are many razor sharpeners sold online, only a few actually do the job.

Conclusion

Razor accessories all have their own service life, which depends on the materials used in the production of the razor itself and the quality of the blades in it. Disposable razors are used no more than 1-3 times, but T-shaped razors and reusable razors will last longer if you change the cutting parts on time. And in order not to spend money on buying new “feathers”, you can sharpen them in a timely manner. To do this, you may need a special device, as well as a pyramid of improvised materials, a leather strap or denim.


Multi-blade razors provide a clean shave, but their cost is such that you sometimes wonder if it would be cheaper to grow a beard. In addition, their manufacturers, having once promoted the brand of a product, gradually reduce the period of its comfortable use. Below are two very simple ways, how you can sharpen the blades of a razor if you decide to save money on buying a new cassette.


Sharpening method first
In order to sharpen a multi-blade razor using this method, you will need to go to the kitchen and look for a roll of food foil.


A razor is sharpened with its help as follows:
1. Place the roll on the table or simply take it by one end and hold it in your hand.


2. Lightly pressing the blades of the machine onto the foil, run it along the roll 100-150 times in the direction opposite to its normal movement during shaving.


If you don’t have a roll of foil in the kitchen, you can use another method of sharpening your razor.

Sharpening method second
To sharpen the blades of the machine using this method, you will need items that are probably found in every home: jeans and an ordinary wooden mop.

Blades are sharpened using them as follows:
1. Turn the jeans inside out, place them on the table and thread the mop through one of the legs.


2. Fix the fabric by pressing it with your hand to the table so that it fits the mop.


3. Drive the blades of the machine along the jeans in the same way as in the first method along the foil: in the direction opposite to the razor movement of the machine. But since the mop is longer than the roll, the amplitude of the machine’s movements is increased, and their number is reduced.


Instead of a mop in this method, you can use any hard and long oblong object, even a chair leg. The main thing is that its diameter should be less than the width of the shaving part of the machine, otherwise when sharpening it will rest on the fabric with its “sides”, and the blades will not come into contact with it.

If these options for sharpening a multi-blade machine seem too long, then the process can be speeded up by covering, for example, the cover of an electrical outlet with denim and securing it in the chuck of an electric drill. But this will be special