Sharpening razor blades may seem like a domain reserved for professionals, but did you know that there are simple tips you can use at home to extend the life of your disposable razors? In this article, we’ll explore three effective methods for sharpening your razor blades using common objects you have on hand. You will be surprised at the simplicity of these techniques which will allow you to save money and reduce your ecological footprint by avoiding throwing away razors that are still usable.
- Sharpening a razor blade with a needle
Disposable razors often tend to dull quickly , but with a simple needle you can return them to their original sharp state.
How to proceed ?
- Hold the razor firmly and position a large needle against the blades.
- Next, rub the needle over the blades, applying moderate pressure, for about a minute.
- If the razor is very dull, prolong this process.
- Alternatively, place the needle on a flat surface, hold it with your fingers, and slide the razor blades along the needle.
Irregularities on the blades will gradually fade. After these steps, your razors, even the most worn, will regain their effectiveness close to new.
- Sharpening a razor blade with jeans
To sharpen your razor blades using jeans , you will need a small diameter stiff cardboard tube (like that from a roll of aluminum foil or plastic wrap) and a piece of jeans .
How to proceed ?
- Take a small diameter rigid cardboard tube and roll it up with a piece of denim. Make sure the outer side of the jeans (the rougher side) is facing the inside of the tube.
- Hold the denim-covered tube firmly. With the razor blade, make a sliding motion along the jeans, going from the handle towards the tip of the blade. This movement must be done in the direction opposite to the sharpness of the blades so as not to dull them.
- Tilt the razor slightly when rubbing to evenly sharpen all blades.
- Repeat this movement several times. The number of repetitions will depend on the wear of the blades; the more blunt they are, the more time they will require.
- Create your own razor sharpener
If you’re willing to invest a little more effort to achieve long-lasting results, you can make your own razor sharpener using matchboxes .
How to proceed ?
- Start by cutting thin strips from three matchboxes. Be sure to remove any excess paper so you only have the cardboard strips.
- Take a piece of cardboard a little wider than your razor and about 10 cm long. Glue the cardboard strips cut from the matchboxes to this piece of cardboard, placing them side by side along its length. These strips will act as a sharpening surface for your razor blades.
- Reinforce the whole thing by pressing another piece of cardboard onto the glued strips, thus ensuring good adhesion.
- Allow the glue to dry completely before using your sharpening device.
- Then simply slide the razor over the sharpener about 30 to 50 times.
- If the razor is very old, it will take you a little longer to sharpen it.
This method requires a little more effort, but it will allow you to sharpen your razor blades efficiently and economically.