A Razor's Edge

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 25, 18 June 1903, Page 11

A Razor's Edge

The edge of a razor consists of innumerable points of ' teeth,' which, if the razor is of good material, follow each other throughout its whole length with, great order and clearness. The unbroken regularity of these minute ' teeth ' goes to make up the blade's excessive keenness. The edge acts upon the beard not so much by the direct application of weight or force as it does by a slight see-saw movement, which causes the successive ' teeth ' to act rapidly on one certain part of the hairy growth. The best razors, according to the microscopists, have the teeth of their edges set as regularly as those of a perfectly set saw. This explains the magic effect of hot water on the razor's blade — the act of dipping it thoroughly cleansing] the teeth of any greasy or dirty substance with which they may have been clogged. Barbers often claim that razors ' get tired ' of shaving and that they will be all right after awhile if permitted to take a rest. When in this ' tired ' condition a microscopic examination of the edge shows that constant stropping by the same person has caused the teeth or fibres of the edge to all arrange themselves in one direction. A month of disuse causes these fine particles to rearrange themselves so that they again present the heterogeneous saw-toothed edge. After this little recreation each particle of the fine edge is up and ready to support his fellow, and it again trikes some time to spoil the grain of the blade.