Do you think that blades are just pieces of steel with sharpened edges? Ever thought of the process the steel goes through to come up with the perfect edge? Manufacturing quality razor blades is a skill that only highly specialized and qualified experts can do. Here's a general view of the complicated process of how razor blades are manufactured.
A soft stainless steel strip is run through a press to perforate it with strips and notches (for placement of the cartridge and to locate the position of the blade. The blade strip must first be hardened in temperatures of more than 2000 F to prevent oxidation, time and temperature must be regulated very carefully because these elements determine if the blade strip will be able to move on to the next process. After the furnaces, the blade strip undergoes a deep freeze chamber to complete the hardening process and then heated again to temper it. Grinding is the next step wherein the sharp edge is formed on the strip. There are three steps to finish the grinding process, first go through the coarse grinding wheels to get the profile of the sharp edge. Then through the fine grit wheels which form the blade tip profile. And finally through high speed leather like strops that give the blade tip it's ultimate shape and smoothness. Then it is sprayed with a coating of Vydax, a polymer that reduces friction and improves comfort.
Long, complicated process huh? But the process becomes more specific with the advent of specialized razor blades. And since there are so many types of blades on the market for different uses, there must be several ways of producing these razor blades. Did you know that aside from the razor blades used for shaving, there are several other types of razor blades? Some are used for grooming and hygiene, some for fashion and some for industrial purposes. Here are the most common types of razor blades and their uses.
* Specialty Blades - are industrial strength and manufactured various materials depending on what their use will be. These materials range from stainless steel, zirconia ceramic, carbon steel and etc. They can be used from slitting ceramic products and film and soft metal and other industrial purposes.
* Utility Blades - a flat, single edged blade with a trapezoidal shape, they are used in special knifes that expose a variable length of the razor's edge and are most commonly used by construction professionals.
* Hooked Blades - are funny looking blades used for cutting and trimming carpet, roofing and linoleum tile without causing damage to the surfaces below.
* Carpet Knife Blades - used as heavy duty scraping knives and are used for carpet knives.
* Hair Shaper - are used by hair stylists and are longer and thinner than typical single - edged blades. It is effective in changing the shape of a head of hair. They are commonly made from platinum coated stainless steel and are for sale at beauty supply stores.
* Rotary Cutter - are used to cut fabric and plastic film and are most expensive from the generic industrial strength razor blades. They fit into a rolling cutter knife and have marks one centimeter apart along the edge.
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