If you liked this video and found it useful, Click the THANKS button and buy me a coffee? (Maybe you'll be the first one!) Don't have any jeans? Check out this amazon link :-) extrafudge.com/ref/B00UV3TH00 Link to the microscope that I used: www.extrafudge.com/ref/B07DVFBVPF
its super fast i just started doing it to my razor after i seen this video last week,works great. lay an old pair of blue jeans on something hard like a table or dresser i do it about 20 times up 20 times down and then about 20 times across the jean to make sure i hit all angles only need a little pressure nothing crazy. i do it before i shave not after and only need to use one pant leg at a time seems smoother,both legs folded up seems more bumpy. this should take you no more then 2-3 minutes and give the razor a little rise before you start shaving and your good to go. the weather strip on my mach 3 is long gone but im still getting a good shave by doing this and i see no reason why a blade cant last at least a month or two if not much longer with daily use if you sharpen it like this. seems a product called razor renew is more or less a leather belt used to sharpen razors on but doing it on blue jeans works so well im not sure i want to spend $ on anything else.
Holy shit! After all these years, I finally learned something useful from a UA-cam video! And it absolutely works, BTW! I know because if I reuse a disposable blade, it creates all kinds of problem with my skin, causing it to have bumps for several hours after shaving, not to mention the fact that I get whiteheads over the next day or so. But after rubbing them on denim, it was almost like shaving with a new razor! Thank you so much for this!!!!
Almost true in my case ... I shaved bald my head without a baldness problem. The grow of my head hair is one of the fastest that many hairstylist have ever seen ... So buying razor cartridges is quite expensive
@@warthief3401 not for my head ... I got a straight razor with disposable blade but I shaved my head under the shower so I will need to change my method
Congratulations, you didn't realize it, but you've just learned the long lost art of stropping your razor. To that, thank you for making the video, too many people have forgotten this technique.
My gosh thank you very much for pointing this out! :D (out of curiosity, how do you know that it is called stropping, was your field related to it? I doubt most people will even know what a strop is.... myself...) thank you.
SkittleDash no, my field had nothing whatsoever to do with shaving. I have an appreciation for the old ways of doing things, and I happen to really enjoy both knives and a straight-razor shave. When using an old fashioned razor, or "Saturday night special" as some would call it, you always strop after sharpening. Hell, you always hone any blade after sharpening. Sharpening any blade will create tiny burrs in the edge, honing (such as with a strop) cleans those burrs off and gives you a truly straight, clean edge. That's where the true sharpness comes from, absolute necessity when you're dragging a blade across your skin, lemme tell you.
Who knew there was another use for the infamous "belt" (from childhood). LOL. I still have it and can hardly wait to use it for it's intended purpose! Thanks a bunch!
Isn’t this what decent barbers always did before we were brainwashed into plunging thousands of dollars into disposable razors and blades? Ironic how tv has ‘stropped’ us, as consumers.
I found out about this method 4 years ago. It works!! I use two disposable blades a year. My shaves are super close. Me being a former marine one of my pet peeves is definitely a close shave. Flashlight inspection close.
It's called Stopping. What you are doing isn't actually sharpening but instead you are aligning the metal at the edge of the blade in a uniform direction. It also cleans the metal. If you store the blade in mineral oil between uses and strope it after every use it will last longer.
I'm 50 years old, and I have not bought a razor blade for over 28 years. I'm still using the same straight razor I bought back then. Literally saved a fortune!
WOW thanks for taking the time to make a video and posting it. I always liked the way the 4 and 5 blade razors shaved but could not get over the cost of just 3 razors. Now I can see using them with this DIY sharpening method. Thanks again for posting this!!
Excellent presentation with scientific proof with your USB Digital Microscope pictures, spectacular! Dude you get some stardust sprinkle on you! Yes, it worked and I like how you showed how to do this. Short and sweet to the point.
Stores are closed because of Covid-19 and I'm in a desperate need of new razor since the one that i used turns dull. I have no other choice other than searching ways to sharpen the old one but bravo! I just found something that'll help me save lots of money in the future. Thank you so much
I have always just naturally rubbed my thumb down on the blades a few times when shaving, it keeps the blades clean. A good razor tip like the mach3 can last for months, and the only reason i really change it is because it starts to look old and totally used up, and not because it stops shaving. And nothing beats a fresh new blade :)
I've been using the same disposable razor for over a year. I always give it six reverse motion stropping on the inside of my left arm after the blade is wet in the shower. If the blade feels dull I may give it another round or two. After shaving it is most important to rinse the soap and beard material from the blade and I blow it clean. Water and crud will corrode any blade edge, even a stainless one. It works, and you don't need any extra materials. The white plastic strip at the top of the razor (teflon?) wears away and falls off after about three months, but I didn't notice any difference. I have very coarse beard hair, almost like toothbrush bristles.
This method works. I use a Gillette fusion 5 blade and typically get 3 shaves due to my thick beard. I'm now on my 7th shave with the same cartridge. After I shave I dry the blade, sharpen it then spray it with Andis cooling and disinfecting spray. Great job on the video, thank you very much!
Since using this technique I've been using the same blade for about 10 months now and it still is shaving me as if it were brand new. Perfectly smooth results on face and head every time! I can probably make my four pack of Gillette Fusion cartridges I bought last year last several years now instead of just a few short months like before. This works, definitely try it!
Guys here a story that I have heard 45 years ago: a ww2 veteran was in our class speaking about the war and at the end he was complaining about cheap quality of Russian safety razor blades, he spoke that in the time of war they all ways used one blade, and they sharpened the blade inside of a glass with smooth walls, holding the blade vertically with one finger, pressing the blade and moving left-right, then the same way the other side. this is for DE. I hope you can understand my bad English
I've done this from time to time as well. To be specific, it's not sharpening but it acts more like a strop and a buff. The stuff on the razor in the before picture is dead skin and other residue stuck on the blade. The jeans are like a buff that rubs off the build up, helping clear up the cutting edge. Also, I recommend using a strong alcohol to also help disinfect and help clean off more buildup.
Found this video and decided to try it out. And wow!! Took old Gillette razor and rinsed it off, dried it, then on a rag pushed the razor up about twenty times. After rubbed it on my jeans I was wearing another twenty times. They were already dirty lol. Then rubbed it downward on my mirror couple times. Be gentle ppl. Worked GREAT!!! Tried one side with shaving cream and the other without and man I was impressed. I didn't believe the video but tired of giving razor companies all my money. Big THANKS for the video!!!
man, you took the time to purchase a USB scope, sorta makes me want to do the same. Thanks for taking the time to prove that there is something to reshaping a razor.
I've always believed and practiced this and am glad to see it verified - it absolutely works! Use any washcloth (towel/rag). And important: rinse the blades off first under hot running water. Well worth a few seconds for a lot of savings.
I had never heard of this, I was actually getting ready to do some 'window shopping' online for a sharpener. And your video showed up, I'll be trying this for certain, before I purchase anything else. Thanks for spending the time, and money (that microscope couldn't have been cheap) in order to publish this video.
Yes it does work. I sharpen my Gillette Mach 3 razor blade on rough Jeans and have using the same blade for over a year. The rougher the fabric the better the sharpening effect on razor.
i have seen this a couple times before but was a skeptic as well, i do hone my knives and know that works but i hone my kitchen knives on ceramic or strop them on leather. I assumed denim (or your arm) would be too soft to actually strop properly. I love that you actually got the microscope to test it out, i might give this a try with by DE blades soon :)
I did an experiment a while back on how long I can reuse a blade. I spent a little over a year with a gillette fusion blade before it became completely unbearable. I saw this video just now and pulled that old razor out (I keep everything) and tried this. Holy crap does this work. I won't say it feels brand new, but it's darn close. I suspect if you do this every few shaves, it could go on forever.
Thanks for sharing your findings. I was particularly impressed by the microscope photos. May I ask which USB microscope you used? Also, have you tried comparing your 'dry' method versus using a little shaving cream like they do in the RazorPit video ads? I wonder if there'd be any difference (other than having to wash the denim periodically).
I was thinking of posing an how to video on this very subject, but found yours. I have been using the same blade since the New Year. Today is Aug. 1 and am changing the blade before my next shave. I sharpen on the shower door and use the stone wall to hone. The counter you are using would work well. Mirrors, ceramic tile also work. Minimal pressure for honing, more for sharpening.
Not purchasing anymore razor blades from now on, as this definitely works for me, it really felt like a new blade once I rubbed it over my old pair of denim jeans, I shave my head as often as I can, so I need as fresh & sharp blades as possible each time, it really felt like a fresh new blade. 👌🏼 Great video, thanks 👍🏼
I do this all the time! I've shave my head probably about 1,000x over the years. If your skeptical, wait until your razor is pretty much unusable. When it's pulling and painful. Do this (I do 100x) on a pair of flattened jeans. Try it again, you'll notice a huge difference.
Love the scientific way you did this. Another cheap way to save on razors is to go the DE (double edge) shaving route where a razer blade can be had for under 10 cents. Thanks for the video.
I tried this and it works!! Although men like me with facial hair need to be careful while shaping their beards with Mach 3 after sharpening it. My Mach 3 became so sharp that I accidentally shaved off some of my facial hair..a bit more than I intended to.. but thanks for this tip anyway..
Not sure if just me but i tried most fabrics and i get lint stuck at the bottom and becomes hard to take off but when i use it i can feel it works. Thats for your quarky odd reviews i love them
This is actually amazing... I just tried it and it freaking works! I haven't shaved in a month because I've been stuck with an old, blunt razor, so I've been one hairy mama. I just tried this with my blunt razor and holy crap, it's sharp again. Can't wait to finally not be a yeti after my shower. Amazing advice. Can't believe I don't have to spend a fortune on razor heads anymore! :)
A tightwad friend of mine told me 40 years ago that he used a piece of leather, the width of his safety razor, to 'strop' his razor every few shaves to sharpen the razor and keep using the same blade for a long time. I have cut strips of leather the width of my razor and tacked them to a wooden paint stirrer, one on one side with the rough side up and one on the opposite side with the smooth side up. Thanks Willard, for that stingy advise. And yes, it works.
Not sharpened, that's done on a stone. What you did was Stropping the blade which is something that people have done since the straight razor days.... What you did was to clear the micro burrs from the blade edge and make it smooth again. It is something that people who use straight razors do before each use of their straight razors.
Not honed, that's done on a stone. What you did was Stropping the blade which is something that people have done since the straight razor days.....What you did was to clear the micro burrs from the blade edge and make it smooth again. It is something that people who use straight razors do before each use of their straight razors.
Awesome!! If you use preshave oil & a gel/cream, does the fact the honing will damage the strip on the cartidge head effect the shave quality? Or as you are using a oil & gel, that this replaces what the honing does to the lube blade strip? Thanks
Many years ago, a person went into a barbershop, and the barber did at some point tell him that a person had been in there, complaining about the sharpness of the razor knife, had asked to have a look at the knife, and the sharpened in in his hand! The barber said that it was clearly sharper. The current customer laughed, and said that he knew that guy. The man that sharpened the knife was my grandfather. Many years later, I asked him to demonstrate it to me, with a plain knife. He did - the blade of the knife became amazingly sharp, and he demonstrated without a doubt, the difference before and after honing it in his hand. It can really work! If you want a very durable and sharp razor, you should probably have a look at the Zafirro razor, made with a sapphire blade! ;-)
Just get a strop. A decent one is like $30 and will leave your razor really sharp. I’ve been using one for a while now with disposable, safety razors, and straight razors. It always works
Update this works. I'm still on the same razer blade. Some things I added: 1. I brought a leather strop and use that once and a while if the blade isn't as sharp, but most of the time the denim is more than enough. 2. Once I have stropped it, I rinse it with water then I use Isopropyl alcohol on the blades. This seems to stop the blades from oxidizing between shaves. Thank you so much, this has saved me heaps of money.
Worked great...I did not believe it either...saw another video...so now I tried it with both single edge and double blade Bic Razors...it worked will with Double Blade the jury is still out on the single...believe I did not have the right angle...I am not going to by a USB microscope to check...but i am going to mount Blue Jean material to nice Cedar blocks and sell em on eBay....
I tried using denim but discovered that pseudo-leather works better. My "blade sharpener" is a small, smooth, leather-like strap that snaps together to hold the two handles of an old, leather-like, laptop computer case. Twenty or thirty strokes of the blade on this material does wonders.
Cool tip. I thought it would be good if you could fix worn blades and thought it would be a cool invention. Looked around and found it already existed in a few forms. Now I found the budget option :)
Lots of fabrics, linen, cotton, leather, human skin have silica within the fibres. Silica dioxide is harder than iron oxide and almost as hard as aluminum oxide. Human hair also has some very hard minerals including silica. Cutting hair tears away and bends back particles at the cutting edge. Stropping with fabric cleans the edge by removing the particles that are breaking away and perhaps pushing some of them back in line with the cutting edge.
that's not the back of your hand. its the inside of your forearm. you should sharpen the razor on the backside (outside) of the forearm. I use the back of my arm method and have done so for at least the last year or two. Works great! Otherwise a great video and I really like how you included the up close photos of the razor blade! thanks for doing that!
I dont think it sharpens the blade but it definitely cleans it to the max. Which in return cuts better. For example, when you have a lot of hair on the blade, I use my fingers (thumb) in the opposite direction to remove the hair which allows it to cut better. The Jeans dig real deep into it and cleans it off nice. Just my hypothesis, I could be completely wrong lol.
+ weekend set still in use since sept 2020 + further test with two sets, so every second day, since Sept 2021 + disposable blades used at 6 blade versions from Aldi Australia + blades are dry honed with 20+ strokes between shaves on underside of forearm - note natural skin oil may help here versus using old denim + both blades are cleaned monthly in ultrasound machine + shaving gel used also Aldi brand + shaving technique as per normal; with the hair grain, stretch skin taut with other hand + pre shaved skin washed with mild soap before each shave with cold water + hot water used for shaving + blades shaken to remove excess water and left to air dry + 50's year old skin :)
That definitely does work but I strop mine against a dry towel hanging by the sink for this method only to dry and sharpen the blades and it does prolong the razor for sure. Also don't store the razor in a steam filled bathroom, moisture kills the blades over time.
hi, in other videos they move the razors not from 'down to upper' denim but in the opposite way, starting from the upper side, like "shaving" the fabric, have you tried that way? is it better?
I watched this 2 years ago and Recently switched over to a Harry’s blade. Those ones that they sent to your house. I was using the Venus laser prior. I shave every single time I shower anything gets hairy except for my head let’s just put it that way… So at least five times a week. I have had success with jeans sharpening so much so I came back to see if there is any extra tips I missed or ignored regarding a typically “male/face” type VS Venus / “women’s” blade. I didn’t see any but am wondering if anyone has done this with diff blades and if so is there a difference or things that make it work better for any type of blade? I know they’re mostly the same type of steel/metal but they have the extra barrier around them for “women” marketed ones and the “men’s” marketed seem to have more exposed and angled / sharp edge. Am I trippn? And does anybody know if the jeans sharpening is better done with blade wet or completely dry? Thanks if anyone can drop any tips ℹ Iappreciate you! ❤
The blades definitely look cleaner, but how do you conclusively show they are sharper. Fifty years ago, a man briefly showed me how to resharpen a safety razor blade. (I think he was a carpenter.) He simply rubbed the edge with his thumb a few times. (In a similar direction to your action. ) I realised recently that I have been doing that between strokes. I've been using the same Bic 4 blade, disposable for 2 months, shaving ~ 3-4 times per week. I think I'm going to now try a safety razor. Thanks for the video.
This is called Stropping the blade and it not only cleans it but hones the edge. It can be done even better by applying a polishing grit like those used in the old straight razor days. It will work even better if you putt a padding underneath the denim and something firm underneath that, or like barbers would, attach one end of the material to something and pull the other end taunt like they used to when sharpening/stropping straight razors.
i´ve used jeans for some time it works...hell i started out with a rubber thing called Razor Pit its good but discovered the jeans worked as well or yes the underarm thing too...i dont have the trap thing but use a normal leather belt just as good
how many time you swipe the blade over the jeans? I did mine like 30-40xs and i didn't feel no different than a regular used blade. I use Schick 5 Blade
Anyone that shaves their head knows it really does a number on your blades. Even the most “quality” Gillette only last me 3-4 head shaves. I’m currently using the Defender Razor with the Regular Blades (closest most comfortable shave to date) and they go dull after the first 2 or 3 shaves. I’m hoping to at least get a full week of daily head shaves from each cartridge after a mid week strop. 🤞🏻
If you liked this video and found it useful, Click the THANKS button and buy me a coffee? (Maybe you'll be the first one!)
Don't have any jeans? Check out this amazon link :-) extrafudge.com/ref/B00UV3TH00
Link to the microscope that I used: www.extrafudge.com/ref/B07DVFBVPF
How long does it take to sharpen the blade?
its super fast i just started doing it to my razor after i seen this video last week,works great. lay an old pair of blue jeans on something hard like a table or dresser i do it about 20 times up 20 times down and then about 20 times across the jean to make sure i hit all angles only need a little pressure nothing crazy. i do it before i shave not after and only need to use one pant leg at a time seems smoother,both legs folded up seems more bumpy. this should take you no more then 2-3 minutes and give the razor a little rise before you start shaving and your good to go. the weather strip on my mach 3 is long gone but im still getting a good shave by doing this and i see no reason why a blade cant last at least a month or two if not much longer with daily use if you sharpen it like this. seems a product called razor renew is more or less a leather belt used to sharpen razors on but doing it on blue jeans works so well im not sure i want to spend $ on anything else.
I am trying it on my forearm. Was doing after I shaved. Will try before I shave now.
On some towels you have a rough type boarder around them you can also use that to clean your razor after you use it and it works
😂😂😂 Good one!
Proving this fact with the help of a microscope was amazing. It leaves no room for questioning. Good on you!
lms0lms0lms
Seeing the spotwelds on razor blades was pretty cool too
The microscope certainly yielded the scientific facts people need to see rather than just what they would call folklore.
Holy shit! After all these years, I finally learned something useful from a UA-cam video! And it absolutely works, BTW! I know because if I reuse a disposable blade, it creates all kinds of problem with my skin, causing it to have bumps for several hours after shaving, not to mention the fact that I get whiteheads over the next day or so. But after rubbing them on denim, it was almost like shaving with a new razor! Thank you so much for this!!!!
The money now saved on disposal razors would allow me to retire about a decade earlier.
🤣
Almost true in my case ... I shaved bald my head without a baldness problem. The grow of my head hair is one of the fastest that many hairstylist have ever seen ... So buying razor cartridges is quite expensive
@@Manche-De-Pelle have you tried straight razors
@@warthief3401 not for my head ... I got a straight razor with disposable blade but I shaved my head under the shower so I will need to change my method
@@Manche-De-Pelle why is that is it to dangerous or can you not get all of the curves with a straight razor?
Congratulations, you didn't realize it, but you've just learned the long lost art of stropping your razor. To that, thank you for making the video, too many people have forgotten this technique.
My gosh thank you very much for pointing this out! :D
(out of curiosity, how do you know that it is called stropping, was your field related to it? I doubt most people will even know what a strop is.... myself...)
thank you.
SkittleDash no, my field had nothing whatsoever to do with shaving. I have an appreciation for the old ways of doing things, and I happen to really enjoy both knives and a straight-razor shave. When using an old fashioned razor, or "Saturday night special" as some would call it, you always strop after sharpening. Hell, you always hone any blade after sharpening. Sharpening any blade will create tiny burrs in the edge, honing (such as with a strop) cleans those burrs off and gives you a truly straight, clean edge. That's where the true sharpness comes from, absolute necessity when you're dragging a blade across your skin, lemme tell you.
Who knew there was another use for the infamous "belt" (from childhood). LOL. I still have it and can hardly wait to use it for it's intended purpose! Thanks a bunch!
Isn’t this what decent barbers always did before we were brainwashed into plunging thousands of dollars into disposable razors and blades? Ironic how tv has ‘stropped’ us, as consumers.
I found out about this method 4 years ago. It works!! I use two disposable blades a year. My shaves are super close. Me being a former marine one of my pet peeves is definitely a close shave. Flashlight inspection close.
It really does work, amazing!
It's called Stopping. What you are doing isn't actually sharpening but instead you are aligning the metal at the edge of the blade in a uniform direction. It also cleans the metal. If you store the blade in mineral oil between uses and strope it after every use it will last longer.
You are the 1st person to take a picture of this method of a refurbished blade and this in itself makes me a believer, nice job
I'm 50 years old, and I have not bought a razor blade for over 28 years. I'm still using the same straight razor I bought back then. Literally saved a fortune!
Are you a member of any of the wet shaving forums?
how do you keep it sharp?
@@incorectulpolitic I have a Belgian Ardennes Coticule and I strop it.
@@GdaySportwill u give me your instagram id name or something to contact u
Everyone is like "this works" but gives no proof. Thank you for the extreme closeup photos proving this!
WOW thanks for taking the time to make a video and posting it. I always liked the way the 4 and 5 blade razors shaved but could not get over the cost of just 3 razors. Now I can see using them with this DIY sharpening method. Thanks again for posting this!!
This is a well known, old school technique. I am giving a thumbs up because of the super cool usb microscope pics. Good job and helpful video
Excellent presentation with scientific proof with your USB Digital Microscope pictures, spectacular! Dude you get some stardust sprinkle on you! Yes, it worked and I like how you showed how to do this. Short and sweet to the point.
I cut a piece of my dad's jeans with scissors and he got very angry but it works good.Thank you.
Legend
Hy sinh cho thí nghiệm "cửa cải mất đi mới xuất hiện sự khôn ngoan "
Tell your dad about the trick I think he would be ok with it then. Should
Stores are closed because of Covid-19 and I'm in a desperate need of new razor since the one that i used turns dull. I have no other choice other than searching ways to sharpen the old one but bravo! I just found something that'll help me save lots of money in the future. Thank you so much
I have always just naturally rubbed my thumb down on the blades a few times when shaving, it keeps the blades clean.
A good razor tip like the mach3 can last for months, and the only reason i really change it is because it starts to look old and totally used up, and not because it stops shaving. And nothing beats a fresh new blade :)
Barbers many years ago used to sharpen / hone blades with a strip of leather.
yes i do it with a bet
I've been using the same disposable razor for over a year. I always give it six reverse motion stropping on the inside of my left arm after the blade is wet in the shower. If the blade feels dull I may give it another round or two. After shaving it is most important to rinse the soap and beard material from the blade and I blow it clean. Water and crud will corrode any blade edge, even a stainless one. It works, and you don't need any extra materials. The white plastic strip at the top of the razor (teflon?) wears away and falls off after about three months, but I didn't notice any difference. I have very coarse beard hair, almost like toothbrush bristles.
This method works. I use a Gillette fusion 5 blade and typically get 3 shaves due to my thick beard. I'm now on my 7th shave with the same cartridge. After I shave I dry the blade, sharpen it then spray it with Andis cooling and disinfecting spray. Great job on the video, thank you very much!
Since using this technique I've been using the same blade for about 10 months now and it still is shaving me as if it were brand new. Perfectly smooth results on face and head every time! I can probably make my four pack of Gillette Fusion cartridges I bought last year last several years now instead of just a few short months like before. This works, definitely try it!
Guys here a story that I have heard 45 years ago: a ww2 veteran was in our class speaking about the war and at the end he was complaining about cheap quality of Russian safety razor blades, he spoke that in the time of war they all ways used one blade, and they sharpened the blade inside of a glass with smooth walls, holding the blade vertically with one finger, pressing the blade and moving left-right, then the same way the other side. this is for DE. I hope you can understand my bad English
Just started shaving this year and it's a great tip, thank you for your effort in actually proving this method with photos.
I just cut a strip of rubber off a pair of keenfisher waders and used the rubber in the manner you used the denim and had a great result.
My last giant pack of disposables from Costco has now become a lifetime supply.
I need those huge bundle 2 or 3 by years!!!
I've done this from time to time as well. To be specific, it's not sharpening but it acts more like a strop and a buff. The stuff on the razor in the before picture is dead skin and other residue stuck on the blade. The jeans are like a buff that rubs off the build up, helping clear up the cutting edge. Also, I recommend using a strong alcohol to also help disinfect and help clean off more buildup.
Found this video and decided to try it out. And wow!! Took old Gillette razor and rinsed it off, dried it, then on a rag pushed the razor up about twenty times. After rubbed it on my jeans I was wearing another twenty times. They were already dirty lol. Then rubbed it downward on my mirror couple times. Be gentle ppl. Worked GREAT!!! Tried one side with shaving cream and the other without and man I was impressed. I didn't believe the video but tired of giving razor companies all my money. Big THANKS for the video!!!
Straight to the point and great photos to back it up. Damn fine job!
razor straight
man, you took the time to purchase a USB scope, sorta makes me want to do the same. Thanks for taking the time to prove that there is something to reshaping a razor.
I've always believed and practiced this and am glad to see it verified - it absolutely works! Use any washcloth (towel/rag). And important: rinse the blades off first under hot running water. Well worth a few seconds for a lot of savings.
I had never heard of this, I was actually getting ready to do some 'window shopping' online for a sharpener. And your video showed up, I'll be trying this for certain, before I purchase anything else.
Thanks for spending the time, and money (that microscope couldn't have been cheap) in order to publish this video.
Yes it does work. I sharpen my Gillette Mach 3 razor blade on rough Jeans and have using the same blade for over a year. The rougher the fabric the better the sharpening effect on razor.
i have seen this a couple times before but was a skeptic as well, i do hone my knives and know that works but i hone my kitchen knives on ceramic or strop them on leather. I assumed denim (or your arm) would be too soft to actually strop properly.
I love that you actually got the microscope to test it out, i might give this a try with by DE blades soon :)
I did an experiment a while back on how long I can reuse a blade. I spent a little over a year with a gillette fusion blade before it became completely unbearable. I saw this video just now and pulled that old razor out (I keep everything) and tried this. Holy crap does this work. I won't say it feels brand new, but it's darn close. I suspect if you do this every few shaves, it could go on forever.
Yeah, it is surprising. Thanks for your comment!
Awesome. Just did it on an old pair of jeans and my mach 3 is new. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your findings. I was particularly impressed by the microscope photos. May I ask which USB microscope you used?
Also, have you tried comparing your 'dry' method versus using a little shaving cream like they do in the RazorPit video ads? I wonder if there'd be any difference (other than having to wash the denim periodically).
I was thinking of posing an how to video on this very subject, but found yours. I have been using the same blade since the New Year. Today is Aug. 1 and am changing the blade before my next shave. I sharpen on the shower door and use the stone wall to hone. The counter you are using would work well. Mirrors, ceramic tile also work. Minimal pressure for honing, more for sharpening.
Not purchasing anymore razor blades from now on, as this definitely works for me, it really felt like a new blade once I rubbed it over my old pair of denim jeans, I shave my head as often as I can, so I need as fresh & sharp blades as possible each time, it really felt like a fresh new blade. 👌🏼
Great video, thanks 👍🏼
I was told this 25 years ago after seeing your UA-cam I'm going to start doing it.
I do this all the time! I've shave my head probably about 1,000x over the years.
If your skeptical, wait until your razor is pretty much unusable. When it's pulling and painful.
Do this (I do 100x) on a pair of flattened jeans. Try it again, you'll notice a huge difference.
Love the scientific way you did this. Another cheap way to save on razors is to go the DE (double edge) shaving route where a razer blade can be had for under 10 cents. Thanks for the video.
Thank you. I have a double edge razor and sometimes I use it. But, it's way way easier to get cut with those.
I tried this and it works!!
Although men like me with facial hair need to be careful while shaping their beards with Mach 3 after sharpening it.
My Mach 3 became so sharp that I accidentally shaved off some of my facial hair..a bit more than I intended to.. but thanks for this tip anyway..
Not sure if just me but i tried most fabrics and i get lint stuck at the bottom and becomes hard to take off but when i use it i can feel it works. Thats for your quarky odd reviews i love them
Thanks for this. I find these nuggets thanks to reddit and UA-cam.
I have used this method today and it's working great, thank you for sharing this useful guide
I love that you verified with a microscope that stropping with denim actually works
This is actually amazing... I just tried it and it freaking works!
I haven't shaved in a month because I've been stuck with an old, blunt razor, so I've been one hairy mama. I just tried this with my blunt razor and holy crap, it's sharp again. Can't wait to finally not be a yeti after my shower.
Amazing advice. Can't believe I don't have to spend a fortune on razor heads anymore! :)
You´re Mexican? All Mexican and black momma´s have a moustache, don´t worry.
@@Pfirtzer I am replying in hopes that you receive a notification and get reminded of what a dumb comment you made over 6 years ago
I found this video on FaceBook and i search for you here n YT just to like it because it really works...
Great job on the video. Thanks for sharing. Will definitely give it a try.
A tightwad friend of mine told me 40 years ago that he used a piece of leather, the width of his safety razor, to 'strop' his razor every few shaves to sharpen the razor and keep using the same blade for a long time. I have cut strips of leather the width of my razor and tacked them to a wooden paint stirrer, one on one side with the rough side up and one on the opposite side with the smooth side up.
Thanks Willard, for that stingy advise. And yes, it works.
WOW! I've been shaving my head with an Fusion for almost 4 months now and sometimes I even shave twice a day.
this is very life and money saving i used my old thick jean and it worked, i sharpened my wilkinsons.
Not sharpened, that's done on a stone. What you did was Stropping the blade which is something that people have done since the straight razor days.... What you did was to clear the micro burrs from the blade edge and make it smooth again. It is something that people who use straight razors do before each use of their straight razors.
You can also use a soft to medium toothbrush it wont sharpen the blades but it will clean them
Just honed it on the edge of my sink while watching this vid. Made a noticeable difference👍
Not honed, that's done on a stone. What you did was Stropping the blade which is something that people have done since the straight razor days.....What you did was to clear the micro burrs from the blade edge and make it smooth again. It is something that people who use straight razors do before each use of their straight razors.
love microscopic images. Good job
Awesome!! If you use preshave oil & a gel/cream, does the fact the honing will damage the strip on the cartidge head effect the shave quality? Or as you are using a oil & gel, that this replaces what the honing does to the lube blade strip? Thanks
A really neat and simple idea! Thanks for sharing.
Many years ago, a person went into a barbershop, and the barber did at some point tell him that a person had been in there, complaining about the sharpness of the razor knife, had asked to have a look at the knife, and the sharpened in in his hand! The barber said that it was clearly sharper. The current customer laughed, and said that he knew that guy. The man that sharpened the knife was my grandfather. Many years later, I asked him to demonstrate it to me, with a plain knife. He did - the blade of the knife became amazingly sharp, and he demonstrated without a doubt, the difference before and after honing it in his hand. It can really work! If you want a very durable and sharp razor, you should probably have a look at the Zafirro razor, made with a sapphire blade! ;-)
Just get a strop. A decent one is like $30 and will leave your razor really sharp. I’ve been using one for a while now with disposable, safety razors, and straight razors. It always works
Thanks for a great idea ! Waiting for my blade to dull out so I can try this trick.
You are a life saver, man. Thanks a LOT!
thanks so much for this; especially appreciate the scientific inquiry to use a microscope!
In which side of my jeans should i use to sharpen? Like front or back
Definitely trying this out, the blades are super expensive.
Update this works. I'm still on the same razer blade. Some things I added:
1. I brought a leather strop and use that once and a while if the blade isn't as sharp, but most of the time the denim is more than enough.
2. Once I have stropped it, I rinse it with water then I use Isopropyl alcohol on the blades. This seems to stop the blades from oxidizing between shaves.
Thank you so much, this has saved me heaps of money.
Another update, still using this method, and still on the same razer blade I started with.
Works very well. I've tried arm and fabric both work
Thank u soo much but will it work with female razors also????
What about the lubricant strip ? How to ensure it stays for a longer period ?
Worked great...I did not believe it either...saw another video...so now I tried it with both single edge and double blade Bic Razors...it worked will with Double Blade the jury is still out on the single...believe I did not have the right angle...I am not going to by a USB microscope to check...but i am going to mount Blue Jean material to nice Cedar blocks and sell em on eBay....
PROOF!!! Just cut up an old pair of jeans just for this, looking to get at least 6 months from my current blade :)
I tried using denim but discovered that pseudo-leather works better. My "blade sharpener" is a small, smooth, leather-like strap that snaps together to hold the two handles of an old, leather-like, laptop computer case. Twenty or thirty strokes of the blade on this material does wonders.
Cool tip. I thought it would be good if you could fix worn blades and thought it would be a cool invention. Looked around and found it already existed in a few forms. Now I found the budget option :)
I love the vídeo hugs from Brazil 🇧🇷
Back in the day it was called 'stropping'...
still is
but who asked
thanks for this video. Do you do this dry or do you have to use shave gel?
Thanks dude for the science. I am doing tomorrow.
Lots of fabrics, linen, cotton, leather, human skin have silica within the fibres. Silica dioxide is harder than iron oxide and almost as hard as aluminum oxide. Human hair also has some very hard minerals including silica. Cutting hair tears away and bends back particles at the cutting edge. Stropping with fabric cleans the edge by removing the particles that are breaking away and perhaps pushing some of them back in line with the cutting edge.
that's not the back of your hand. its the inside of your forearm. you should sharpen the razor on the backside (outside) of the forearm. I use the back of my arm method and have done so for at least the last year or two. Works great! Otherwise a great video and I really like how you included the up close photos of the razor blade! thanks for doing that!
I dont think it sharpens the blade but it definitely cleans it to the max. Which in return cuts better. For example, when you have a lot of hair on the blade, I use my fingers (thumb) in the opposite direction to remove the hair which allows it to cut better. The Jeans dig real deep into it and cleans it off nice. Just my hypothesis, I could be completely wrong lol.
+ weekend set still in use since sept 2020
+ further test with two sets, so every second day, since Sept 2021
+ disposable blades used at 6 blade versions from Aldi Australia
+ blades are dry honed with 20+ strokes between shaves on underside of forearm
- note natural skin oil may help here versus using old denim
+ both blades are cleaned monthly in ultrasound machine
+ shaving gel used also Aldi brand
+ shaving technique as per normal; with the hair grain, stretch skin taut with other hand
+ pre shaved skin washed with mild soap before each shave with cold water
+ hot water used for shaving
+ blades shaken to remove excess water and left to air dry
+ 50's year old skin :)
I am currently using old shirts to sharpen my DE blades and it works well for me.
That definitely does work but I strop mine against a dry towel hanging by the sink for this method only to dry and sharpen the blades and it does prolong the razor for sure. Also don't store the razor in a steam filled bathroom, moisture kills the blades over time.
I always did that and they surely last longer, but on the other hand the upper protection will always disappear (in white)
XtremuZ Yeah, the upper strip will long be gone but the blades can last so much longer and save money, so the trade off is positive.
hi, in other videos they move the razors not from 'down to upper' denim but in the opposite way, starting from the upper side, like "shaving" the fabric, have you tried that way? is it better?
Nice video. The photos are excellent. Thanks.
i have been using these razor blades for like 30 years and i just knew now that they can be sharpen,,,wow. i could have saved a few bucks haha
Thanks for the pics! really helped.
I watched this 2 years ago and Recently switched over to a Harry’s blade. Those ones that they sent to your house. I was using the Venus laser prior. I shave every single time I shower anything gets hairy except for my head let’s just put it that way… So at least five times a week. I have had success with jeans sharpening so much so I came back to see if there is any extra tips I missed or ignored regarding a typically “male/face” type VS Venus / “women’s” blade.
I didn’t see any but am wondering if anyone has done this with diff blades and if so is there a difference or things that make it work better for any type of blade? I know they’re mostly the same type of steel/metal but they have the extra barrier around them for “women” marketed ones and the “men’s” marketed seem to have more exposed and angled / sharp edge. Am I trippn?
And does anybody know if the jeans sharpening is better done with blade wet or completely dry?
Thanks if anyone can drop any tips ℹ Iappreciate you!
❤
The blades definitely look cleaner, but how do you conclusively show they are sharper. Fifty years ago, a man briefly showed me how to resharpen a safety razor blade. (I think he was a carpenter.) He simply rubbed the edge with his thumb a few times. (In a similar direction to your action. ) I realised recently that I have been doing that between strokes. I've been using the same Bic 4 blade, disposable for 2 months, shaving ~ 3-4 times per week. I think I'm going to now try a safety razor. Thanks for the video.
As for sharpness, it just feels sharper when shaving.
@@ureviews It's not necessarily "sharper" but it will be smoother..
Thumbs up for actually verifying it on a magnified level.
I tried it on a 3 blade disposable razor and it worked.
This is called Stropping the blade and it not only cleans it but hones the edge. It can be done even better by applying a polishing grit like those used in the old straight razor days. It will work even better if you putt a padding underneath the denim and something firm underneath that, or like barbers would, attach one end of the material to something and pull the other end taunt like they used to when sharpening/stropping straight razors.
Will this work on safeft razors also?
i´ve used jeans for some time it works...hell i started out with a rubber thing called Razor Pit its good but discovered the jeans worked as well or yes the underarm thing too...i dont have the trap thing but use a normal leather belt just as good
I’m going to try this!
Thank you so much
I can say it does work. I just cleaned and straighten the blades on all my shaving 🪒 heads. This saved me money. Thank you so much.
Nice!
Does this work on double edge safety razor blades?
how many time you swipe the blade over the jeans? I did mine like 30-40xs and i didn't feel no different than a regular used blade. I use Schick 5 Blade
10-15 should be enough. I recommend you do it on a new blade and watch it last much longer.
Yes it works,Saves so much $$
I've tried this, but the only problem I've had with this is that after "stropping," I noticed that the blade was a bit wobbly. Any advice?
This method is total awesome. Thanks mate
How many upward movements do you normally take to sharpen the blade sufficiently? Thanks
Anyone that shaves their head knows it really does a number on your blades. Even the most “quality” Gillette only last me 3-4 head shaves. I’m currently using the Defender Razor with the Regular Blades (closest most comfortable shave to date) and they go dull after the first 2 or 3 shaves. I’m hoping to at least get a full week of daily head shaves from each cartridge after a mid week strop. 🤞🏻
nice vid ! perhaps include a picture of a new blade?
True, I'll put it in quotes. I did mention that in the video though.