This article was co-authored by Woody Lovell. Woody Lovell is the Founder of The Barbershop Club, a gentleman's barbershop-as-social club rooted in 1990's traditional barbering based in the Hotel Normandie in Los Angeles, California. He is also the Founder of his own line of quality grooming products. He has over 20 years of experience in the male grooming industry and has consulted clients including professional athletes, musicians, and A-list actors throughout the Los Angeles area.
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It’s not difficult to safely remove the blade from a safety razor. If you use a safety razor, you need to change the blades often to make sure you’re getting a close shave.[1] However, if you’re having thoughts about harming yourself, talk to someone who you trust or call/text a suicide prevention hotline, such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you're in the United States, which can be reached by calling or texting 988. If you're outside of the United States, contact your country's suicide prevention hotline.
Steps
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1Replace the blade when you feel tugging or pulling as you shave. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell when to change the blade in a safety razor. Pay attention to the first few strokes of your shave. If it feels like the blade is pulling on your hair, it’s time to change the blade![2]
- If you notice that after you shave your face feels irritated or there are razor bumps and marks, this is a sign you should change the blades before you shave again.[3]
- Never test the the blade on your hand, you can cut yourself or damage the razor if it isn’t already dull.
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2Twist the handle of the razor counterclockwise to expose the blade. Hold the handle in your dominant hand and use the other hand to hold the head of the razor. Then, rotate the handle to the left until the head begins to the separate from the handle or the top of the head opens up to reveal the blade, depending on the razor.[4]
- There are a few different types of safety razors, and the blade comes out differently on some of them. Pay attention to the head of the razor as you’re twisting the handle.
- Be careful not to tip the razor on its side or hold it upside-down. The razor can fall out of the head easily in those positions.
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3Remove the current blade from the head of the razor. Carefully using your fingers or a butter knife, lift the side of the blade to take it out of the head. Try to avoid touching the sharp edges of the blade as you remove it.[5]
- When you remove the blade, you can recycle it to reduce waste!
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4Place a new blade into the open slot in the head. Select a new blade to replace the old one, and carefully slide it into the slot on the head. The blade will normally have words or arrows printed on it to ensure that it’s facing the right direction.[6]
- If you don’t have a holder or cartridge for your extra blade, be very careful when handling the blade.
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5Twist the handle clockwise to close the head and secure the blade. Once the blade is in the razor, replace any parts that might cover the blade, and twist the handle the opposite direction to tighten the head. Carefully tilt the razor onto its side to ensure that the blade is secure and won’t fall out of the head.[7]
- Some handles will lock into place once the head is completely secure, but most will not.
Warnings
- If you’re having thoughts about harming yourself, talk to someone who you trust or call your country's suicide prevention hotline. In the United States, one example is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and you can reach them by calling or texting 988.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Keep razors and blades out of the reach of small children and pets.⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References
- ↑ Woody Lovell. Professional Barber. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
- ↑ Woody Lovell. Professional Barber. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
- ↑ Woody Lovell. Professional Barber. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/94sLJzzNgqw?t=56
- ↑ https://youtu.be/94sLJzzNgqw?t=68
- ↑ https://youtu.be/94sLJzzNgqw?t=74
- ↑ https://youtu.be/94sLJzzNgqw?t=76
About This Article
If you want to remove a damaged blade from a razor start by holding the flame of a lighter to each side of the razor for 15-20 seconds to soften the plastic around the blades. Then, grip one of the blades with a pair of needle-nose pliers, and pull on the blade with the pliers until it comes out. Once the first blade comes out, repeat the process with the rest of the blades, reheating the plastic after you take out each blade.
However, if you’re thinking about removing blades from a razor in order to harm yourself, remember that you’re loved. Try talking to someone you love about how you’re feeling or, if you feel like you have no one to talk to, call 1-800-273-8255.
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