Why does stroking (many times) my disposable razor over denim/jeans make it sharpen again?
There are three possibilities: 1) The effect is purely psychological. 2) Rubbing it on your jeans is cleaning out little bits of hair, skin and soap that were clogging it. 3) You are stropping it.
The Short Answer
There are three possibilities: 1) The effect is purely psychological. 2) Rubbing it on your jeans is cleaning out little bits of hair, skin and soap that were clogging it. 3) You are stropping it. If a blade (either a razor or a knife) is made of good steel, then it will actually retain a sharp edge for quite some time. But because the metal is very thin near that edge, it will kind of "fold over" with use. Stropping or honing pushes the edge back into place. Barbers who use straight razors use a stiff leather strop, in the kitchen, you use a "steel." You should hone a decent kitchen knife every time before you use it, and it's important to understand that honing is ABSOLUTELY NOT sharpening. Sharpening actually grinds metal away, honing just pushes it back into place. Although this is Knife 101, a certain loudmouthed vulgarian TV chef [apparently does not know the difference between honing and sharpening.](_URL_0_)
Analysis
Key Concepts: Honing, knife, edge
This explanation focuses on honing, knife, edge and spans 159 words across 9 sentences. At 121% above the average History explanation (72 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “There are three possibilities: 1) The effect is purely psychological.” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 9 connected points.
How This Compares in History
Ranked #24 of 500 History questions by answer depth (top 6%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why stroking (many times) my disposable razor over denim/jeans make it sharpen again?
There are three possibilities: 1) The effect is purely psychological. 2) Rubbing it on your jeans is cleaning out little bits of hair, skin and soap that were clogging it. 3) You are stropping it. If a blade (either a razor or a knife) is made of…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar History questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 159 words, ranked #24 of 500 History questions by depth. The key concepts covered are honing, knife, edge.
What approach does this answer take to explain stroking (many times) my disposable razor over denim/jeans m?
The explanation uses root cause analysis and contrasting perspectives across 159 words. It is categorized under History and addresses the question through 2 analytical lenses.