Review of Razor Mate Blade Conditioner
A while back we received for testing the Razor Mate, a device which restores your razor blades to new using magnets. Simply place your disposable razor/cartridge on top of the Razor Mate, and the blades are pulled back into correct shape by the strategically placed magnets within. Seems simple enough, and somewhat dubious. Could something as simple as magnets really make your razor last 20 times longer?
Short answer: I'm not sure.
My first razor definitely lasted twice as long as normal. Not a 4x improvement as the FAQ claims, but something I'd happily take given the exorbitant price of Fusion blades. Alas, the second razor didn't fare as well. Lasted about as long as it normally does.
I really wish I had access to one of those electron scanning microscopes that they used in this Fox News report to debunk a similar device which purported to extend the life of your blades. That way I'd know for sure. Here's what I should have done: alternate shaving between two blades. One always rests on the Razor Mate; the other doesn't. Keep all other variables (shaving cream, shaving oil) constant. Instead I reverted to my seven years old self and simply took the Razor Mate apart.
Which wasn't easy.
The Razor Mate is made of two plastic sections which are glued together. I nearly took my finger off opening the back. Do not try this at home.
But there were the magnets. And to my surprise, they were on a diagonal. Bizarre! I took a little physics in high school but not enough to explain this. Maybe some master of the right-hand rule out on the Interwebs can explain to me how this might work. The razor lays horizontally in the divot on top. The magnet is rotated 45 degrees. If I only had a bag of iron filings...
So I did the next best thing - I compared the strength of the Razor Mate magnets to my son's alphabet magnets on our kitchen refrigerator. Conclusion: the magnet in the letter W is stronger than the magnet in the Razor Mate.
So what does this all mean? I wish I could say conclusively. If I had devised a better scientific test I might have been able to tell you something meaningful. Instead I'm left with inconclusive anecdotal evidence. I fear I have failed you, my dear reader.
The Razor Mate is $19.99 and comes with a "100% Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee". Write in and let us know your experience with this device.
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Posted by Russell Neufeld at March 3, 2009 6:00 AM
While I have not yet tried out the Razor Mate myself, I have thoroughly reviewed their patent (US4615436) and have the following insights to share:
- This invention claims to work by preventing a razor blade from oxidizing in the usual hot, humid bathroom environment. Though the product's web site makes claims about "re-aligning" blades that become bent from regular use, the actual patent makes no mention of this. It's all about preventing oxidation, not about "re-crystalization" of misaligned steel blades.
- While this technology may in fact work, it no doubt requires magnets stronger than those located within the letter W. I am thinking maybe some neodymium rare earth magnets, not the ceramic garbage used to stick letters to fridge doors.
- There are other ways to prevent steel from oxidizing. Immersion in oil is one of these. Keeping the blade cool and dry is another. Obviously, storing your razor IN your shower seems like a bad idea no matter what: every time you bathe, you are ruining the exposed blade.
- No matter what, this device cannot return a sharp edge to an otherwise damaged blade. The best it can do is to prevent a good blade from become dull through oxidation. Once the oxidation occurs, there is nothing it can do. It can't re-sharpen anything-- this device is an ounce of prevention rather than a pound of cure. Which is great, if it really works. Which doesn't seem impossible, but neither does it seem revolutionarily likely.
I am thinking about building one of these on my own with some magnets (oriented to the 45 degree angle and with the correct N/S orientation on them) to see if I can get any noticeable results. No need to spend $20 when I have the magnets lying around the house and have enough engineering creativity to fake the rest. Wish me luck!
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