The Razor Saver: Sharpen Your Used Razors
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04.26.06
We've previously tackled the shaving dilemma, but that was before we'd seen the Razor Saver, which might just be one of the handiest gadgets we've ever seen. This baby claims to sharpen your used disposable razor heads for up to 130 shaves (!); using their math, that's a 75% reduction. While everybody's shaving habits are different, one thing's for sure: that sure beats the heck out of the measly number of shaves you get (without sharpening) before the blade is as dull as a butter knife and worthless. Seems it's as easy as this: "Just insert a razor head and draw the old blade across the Razor Saver - it will be like new." It works with any regular or disposable razor, men's or women's, with a single or double blade. Last we checked, a refill pack of four cartridges was nearly as much as the Razor Saver's $12 US price tag, so use it once or twice and it'll have paid for itself. Available from ::Sustainable Village via ::Ideal Bite
Has anyone tried using this device? Looks like it could be a good answer for disposable razors but curious how it works and more importantly does it work!
Thanks for your feedback,
JB
I've had one for almost ten years now, and use it almost daily with a basic 3-blade razor, and the last time I replaced the head was over a month ago, and I'm still going strong!
I recommend these with no reservations or qualifications!
I wonder if the used heads really account for more waste than making this device must have.
Great idea...if only I could get mine to work. It's really hard to use, I managed to break a razor head on the first or second try. It doesn't come with instructions either.
I hate disposable batteries, cutlery, cups, diapers, razors and so on. All of this stuff is needlessly depleting our natural resources and creating disposal problems. I use disposable razors but have been recently looking around for a good quality non-disposable one. However, I may now simply buy one of these gadgets and continue using disposables. They are so much easier and quicker to use. Since I shave about once or twice a month, I figure I will only need to buy a single disposable razor every five years. At that rate, I can store the used ones in my bathroom.
Aj, if more than one person who shaves regularly uses it, I'm sure it creates much less waste than tossing those heads out all the time.
Personally, I just keep using the same old razor heads for years (that's hundreds of shaves on large legs!), even when they are very dull. I actually like a dull blade better because I really nick myself up when I use really sharp new blades. But I know I'm weird.
Oh, and I wonder if you could easily make a sharpener like this one. Is it complicated or just a flat sharpening stone?
real treehuggers wear beards.
I just leave my razor in a cup of alcohol when I'm not using it. This makes the blade last much longer and its way cheaper than this thing. Just make sure you wash the blade off before you shave with it.
I've been using it for about a year now and it works great!
as to how it works: It appears to be just a piece of glass within the housing and the shape of the devise forces you to draw the razor over the glass surface at what appears to be a 30% angle.
Unfortunately, they won't ship anything less than $50 (they optimistically suggested I get three more as gifts), and their website is so poorly designed that I got frustrated before finding anything else I wanted. Too bad, as I think of all the money I could have saved over the years with this tool.
I feel obliged to add to my previous posting that I got this e-mail from sustainablevillage.com today:
Christopher,
Please order this from one of our wholesale customers, Lehman's Hardware. Their price is $2 less and they'll ship one at a time.
See http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=5315&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=razor
cheers,
Steve
I'll give them a try.
Now that's an interesting concept - personally I prefer shavers to razors precisely because they dull after the first use and cause razor burn and bumps.
I may have to give the sharpener a shot - though I'm pretty happy with my shaver. =)
Jenny
Hair Removal Products
I ordered one for 12 bucks, but then was informed their policy is a 50 dollar minimum purchase, so I cancelled my order.
Who has a 50 dollar minimum purchase???
Its really hard to use and it doesn give the same effect like a new one. Plus the order has to be more than 50$ which it makes me wonder the reason and they say that all sales are final. So basically it the razor saver doens work I will loss may money. It makes me think alot about thsi product. It looks more like scam.
Order must be more than 50dllars..This DOESNT MAKES SENCE. Anyhow I ended ordering more than 50$ and big surprise..!! This THING WONT WORK..I cant barely used and I had broken more than 5 razors..At the end I said bye bye to my 65,68 order.. : ( Dont buy this..
WHAT A WASTE OF MY MONEY AND TIME. This thing didnt work for me :(
I've used mine for nine months now and am on my *second* Mach 3 razor blade since that time. Two blades in nine months. I don't cut or nick myself -- this thing actually works. Need to get the razor wet before using, but otherwise it's self-explanatory. I bought via Lehman's, though if yr friends are like-minded you could buy five of them from Sustainable Village and give four as gifts.
Or if you don't want to drop $50, buy one at Lehman's for $9.95:
http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=5315&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=razor
Any tips on where to buy that Razor saver in the UK ?
The order of $50 is most likely set for stocking. The company sells them to stores, making a minimum price understandable. Buy from the stores the company sells to, not from the company themselves.
just a quick note: the razor shaver is between production runs right now. I ordered mine in Aug 2007 and was emailed about a month later letting me know they were in China finding a new manufacturer.
So if you don't want to purchase something from China keep in mind parts of this might be made in China.
However, it is a great gift idea and I'm looking forward to receiving mine!
heres an idea. why not buy a strait razor, i have one i have been using for about 8 years.
with a brush and cup shaving cup. they last for a long time.
the only down side is the sharpener is made of cow hide,so you will not make any friends with the PETA crowd
Clark Howard says drying the razor makes it last a long time. I'm trying out storing it in olive oil. Makes me smell italian and seems to last a long time. I hear it's the drying that ruins the blade more than the use.
try 'razor gator' tool, which makes razors last up to 10 weeks, and reduces razor burn and rash.
it only costs 2 bucks and is made of recycled plastic. after its useful life as a razor cleaner, it works as a fingernail scraper or a toothpick, rly.
see www.razor-gator.com
Hi, I'm trying to find the Razor Savor and Lehman's is currently not selling them. Any tips on where to find them? I would really appreciate some help.
Or, instead of a mysterious device that may or may not work, but a used doubled edged razor. Blades cost 10 cents apiece, can last for 2 weeks easy (But feel better if you change after one week) and can be completely recycled.