Author Topic: Using a razor more than once  (Read 1669 times)

Offline Smooth_Operator

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Using a razor more than once
« on: August 11, 2010, 08:30:20 AM »
Hi Guys - I've got a shaving issue, and hope you can help me find the best solution.  Since I was a teenager, if I used a razor (including electric razors) more than once, my skin would break out.  As the comedian Eddie Izzard put it, I had a "general plague theme" going on during puberty.  A dermatologist suggested switching to one-a-day disposables, and that has been my solution ever since.  I typically only shaved my face every couple days, and usually went for the cheapest blade-built-into-the-handle non-pivoting head disposables I could find.  The few times I've tested reusing razors since then (even recently) have brought about the same negative results.

Fast forward to being sly... razor consumption is up, and the more expensive cartridges do the best job, so I'm not going to compromise on quality.  But... it would be great to get more than one shave out of each razor (which would encourage me to shave every day instead of every other day).  So, any ideas on what to do to sanitize/sterilize?

* Get a big jar of Barbicide - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbicide? (Seems like overkill for a 2" wide piece of plastic and metal.)
* Suck it up and stick to one razor/shave?
* Any alternate ideas?... I'm totally open.

Thanks for checking this out....



Offline D.A.L.U.I.

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Re: Using a razor more than once
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2010, 09:29:05 AM »
Are you using an astringent after you shave?  And have you tried rinsing the blade in rubbing alcohol after shaving to eliminate any bacteria or "critters" that may be causing this?  This could get expensive obviously.  I've been using the Personna M5  with great results, and it's about half the price for blades as Fusion--and IMO gives a closer scrape of the grape.

Offline Smooth_Operator

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Re: Using a razor more than once
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2010, 02:24:42 PM »
Hi Saint - yep, I do use astringent.  I've tried rinsing the blade previously and it "didn't seem to work," so based on that unscientific experiment it feels like I should escalate things a bit.  Rubbing alcohol contains water, so leaving a cartridge to soak overnight may lead to oxidation... but perhaps a 3-minute alcohol bath (for the razor, not me....) before shaving could do the trick?

I saw the Personna M5 in the store the other day, but my Headblade has treated me well so far... still in the "experimenting" stage, so that M5 may be making an appearance....

Offline Magoo

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Re: Using a razor more than once
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2010, 09:41:08 PM »
After I use a razor I have a home made solution of alcohol and small amount of baby oil. I apply this to the blades w a Q TIP. The alcohol evaporates and leave a small amount of oil on blades for protection. I think it makes the razor last longer.I get easily 12 days with a GILLETE GOOD NEWS and probably can do more. You have to shake the solution up before each use because the two items will seperate  on standing.
If only all men lived by the "Golden Rule ."

Offline Rob-Raz

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Re: Using a razor more than once
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2010, 11:22:38 PM »
The Gillette Custom Plus 3's on the headblade work well and you can find them fairly cheap. Maybe not once a day cheap but it may help.

Look here for info http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=12894.0

Offline Smooth_Operator

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Re: Using a razor more than once
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2010, 04:13:20 PM »
Thanks guys!  As it seems is the norm with headshaving, I'm conducting a little experiment this week.  Going to reuse my Custom Plus 3 for a few consecutive days (good call Rob-Raz, that is a great trick).  Before shaving I'm going to give the cartridge a 5 minute bath in some rubbing alcohol + a little baby oil, and make sure it's thoroughly sterilized.  I'll report back with results.

 



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