Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1889 — How to Keep a Razor Sharp. [ARTICLE]

How to Keep a Razor Sharp.

We often have amateur shavers bring us their razors to be fixed up, says a St. Louis barber. Almost any man with a steady hand can shave himself, but not one in fifty can keep his razor in decent condition. The first reason is that amateurs wear all the temper out of their razors by excessive strapping, and the better the steel the easier it is affected in this way. The only remedy is to let it alone. Put away the razor that scrapes and cuts the skin and give it a good rest. Then use it again, and in all probability it will be in good shape. Some of the modern shaving sets have as many razors as there are days in the week, and on the handle of each is engraved the name of the day. If the rotation is kept up, very little sharpening is needed. I have known men to talk of pet razors which they have used every day for years; if they ■would let these lie by for a while they would find a welcome improvement. The second cause of the trouble is bearing on the razor while sharpening it. Never attempt to put on an edge before shaving. When you are through, rub the blade lightly a few times on a plain leather strap, which need not cost above a quarter, and then put away. The old boiling-water craze is exploded now, and professionals do just as good work with cold water as hot. “The charge of the six hundred” has been thought to refer to the per cent, of profit enjoyed by one Solomon Isaacs, a pawnbroker in Milwaukee. “Neckst 1” called out the hangman in New York after he had strangled one murderer. Loaning money is an interesting vocation.