Strop the blade on old denim jeans

Run the razor backward (away from the cutting direction) along a flat piece of denim for 10-20 strokes before each shave. This realigns microscopic burrs on the blade edge, restoring some sharpness without removing metal.

Steps

1. Lay an old pair of jeans flat on a hard surface
2. Hold the razor by the handle and push the cartridge away from the normal shaving direction along the denim
3. Repeat for 10-20 strokes, applying light pressure
4. Rinse the blade before shaving

Why It Works

Shaving bends and folds the thin metal edge at a microscopic level. Stropping on a mildly abrasive fabric like denim pushes those bent edges back into alignment, similar to how a leather strop maintains a straight razor. It does not truly sharpen, but it restores cutting efficiency between uses.

Tips

• Use old jeans you no longer wear -- the denim does not wear out quickly from this
• Light pressure only; heavy pressure can damage the blade edge
• Works best as a complement to proper rinsing and drying, not a substitute