Disposable razors are expensive because you have to replace them often, and this is also bad for the environment. As your razor blades get dull, you will notice that they become less efficient. They only give you a few good shaves before you have to throw them away and replace them.
When you think about how often you have to buy new razors, you will conclude that they’re too expensive. However, they are essential grooming accessories. The good thing is you can do something with your old razors. Just like any tools, the life of your shaving razor can be extended with proper care.
By learning the few tricks on how to sharpen a shaving razor you can preserve your blade, make your razor useful for longer and save you a few bucks.
How to Sharpen a Shaving Razor
Step 1 – Get a pair of old jeans
When stropping a razor, you should choose jeans that you no longer wear. This is because the cloth will be used to sharpen the razor blades, and this will cause the fabric to deteriorate and fray over time. If you don’t want to permanently damage your favorite jeans, choose an old pair.
Step 2 – Put the jeans on top of a flat and sturdy surface
Choose a surface where you can sharpen the razor. It should be flat and steady because an uneven area could affect your sharpening negatively. A table or a countertop will do. Before anything else, make sure to clear the area first as clutter might also limit your motion. Aside from this, ensure that the area and the blades are dry for best results.
Step 3 – Clean the blade
When cleaning the razor blade, use warm and soapy water. You might prefer dish soap because it is effective in getting rid of razor gunk that has accumulated on the blades. Soak the razors for about 15 or 30 minutes and swirl the water every now and then. If you have a special razor blade cleaning product, use it to remove the remains of skin and hair.
Step 4 – Allow the razor to dry completely
Remove the excess water from the razor by shaking it into the sink. Wipe the blade using a dry towel or cloth to completely remove the remaining moisture. Find a cloth and then run the razor along it, following the blades’ direction. One tip to prevent fuzz buildup is to use a microfiber cloth for drying the razor.
Step 5 – Run the razor along the jeans
Like when you dried the blades earlier, run the razor along the jeans, following the blade’s direction and not against it. You should repeat this about 20 times, doing short and quick strokes. The stropping process should remove the irregularities and ridges from the blades and hone the edge.
Completely and evenly strop the blades by repeating the process another 20 times, this time in the opposite direction. Make sure to be gentle so as not to damage the edge of the blade.
Step 6 – Run the razor on top of your forearm without the jeans
You should be very careful in running the razor along this part of your body to avoid getting cut while sharpening. Again, using quick and short strokes and doing the motion for 10 to 15 times is the trick.
Since the arm resembles a leather strop, it could be used for stropping the blades of razors. Running the safety razor is safe. It won’t cut your hair on the forearm. But you should still be careful with the handle because it might slip. Also, do not run it from side to side as it can lead to cutting yourself.
Step 7 – Strop the razor again
When sharpening a shaving razor you need to repeat the same steps over again for best results. If you have very dull blades, more strokes are required to achieve the old sharpness.
Repeat the same step you did for stropping the razor the first time, running the blades along the jeans with and not against the direction of the blades. Do this applying light pressure and short, quick strokes for another 20 strokes. Run your razors back and forth always in the same direction of the blades.