Thread: Magnets & Razors? Should they be avoided?

I won't be surprised if this is posted in the wrong forum, but it was the best place I could think of..

I am making a stand that will hold only one razor, currently in rotation. I want it only as a place to deposit the razor to dry between shaves. Once out of rotation, it would go back in the drawer. I am considering a small rare earth magnet in the design. Only the very tip of the tail would touch it. I can't think that the short time the blade would be exposed to the magnet would cause any problem, but I suppose it could. A magnetized blade would be hold on to metal when the blade is honed... that can't be good.

What says the pros?

Not a problem? Or avoid it and come up with a different design?

While I do not consider myself a pro by any means, I think that this should not be a problem. I have a Griffon Carbo Magnetic that hones up just fine and the whole think is magnetized so I don't think just a little bit being magnetized would cause any issues.

I have a magnetic jig which I use for sanding and such. Every blade I have had on it is magnetized. They shave very well as the naturally-occuring iron in the hairs make them come to the blade. They get cut before the blade even arrives!
Seriously, I can see no disadvantage and the residual magnetism seems to wear off after a while. Downside is as I reach in and pick a razor, I might get 3!!

Like Sharptonn magnetic sanding jigs do put a magnetic pull on a blade I know it doesn't do anything to the blade I do remove the pull by a using a demagnetizer I liberated from work. A pass across the spine and presto no more refrigerator magnet.

I heard that magnetization of steel happens because the magnet realigns the molecules or something like that and that all you have to do is drop it or hit it on a hard surface and it will jumble up the molecules. I see no reason why this would be a problem for your razors.....

Originally Posted by Tarkus

Like Sharptonn magnetic sanding jigs do put a magnetic pull on a blade I know it doesn't do anything to the blade I do remove the pull by a using a demagnetizer I liberated from work. A pass across the spine and presto no more refrigerator magnet.

Man! that is a cool thing there! I think an inexpensive demagmetizer can be made with windings from an old electric motor?
(meanwhile, I shall send 40 razors to Tarkus for demagnetizing! )

This was actually a marketing gimmick back on the day, shouldn't be an issue.

Originally Posted by cosperryan

I heard that magnetization of steel happens because the magnet realigns the molecules or something like that and that all you have to do is drop it or hit it on a hard surface and it will jumble up the molecules. I see no reason why this would be a problem for your razors.....

So. If I was to drop a magnetized razor or hit it on a hard surface, it would loose magnetism? I can do this! Magnetize a junk blade and give it a go!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Man! that is a cool thing there! I think an inexpensive demagmetizer can be made with windings from an old electric motor?
(meanwhile, I shall send 40 razors to Tarkus for demagnetizing! )

How many are you expecting to get back, Tom. I hear that Darl is great collector...

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

How many are you expecting to get back, Tom. I hear that Darl is great collector...

Yes Neil. I have been anticipating this day as Darl showed me that contraption a few years back. Anything nice has been sanded on my knee. I have had to buy pants on a regular basis, but Darry ain't gettin the good stuff to demagnetize.
"What? I look Stupid?"