From The West Australian
An ambitious and entrepreneurial Kalgoorlie couple have their sights set on revolutionising the multi-billion dollar shaving industry and saving the environment in the process.
Although they did not know it at the time, the day Paul and Rosey Buckle discovered they could save money and support the environment by dunking their razors into olive oil was the day an invention was born.
They loved the notion of extending their razor’s useful life by leaving them in olive oil, preserving the blade’s sharpness, but something was not quite right. Oil would drip down the handle at the next use — that is where their simple, yet missing-from-the-market, invention came in.
Fast-forward three years, a few patents and countless hours of brainstorming the Razorector has been on the market for eight months and about 500 units have been dispersed around Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the world.
You can use the same razor for six months
The Razorector is a plastic razor holder with an in-built tray for olive oil. The idea is customers dip their razor into the oil after a shave and rest it on the holder ready for the next use.
Mr Buckle said this practice could see people use one razor for six months and beyond, saving customers money and preventing razors from ending up in landfill.
“We don’t like this (landfill) because we are tree-huggers by nature,” he said.
“People all around the world are leaving their razor blades in olive oil, it is quite a common thing, but when you pull it out it makes a mess … I discovered if you dunk it in some olive and leave it hanging above it can all run back into the sump and it is just enough to keep your blades sharp.
“It is just us two that have brought this to market, it is local, it is an Australian invention from a husband-and-wife team.”
The couple are holding a promotional day for the Razorector at St Barbara’s Square on Saturday.
More information can also be found at the Razorector Facebook page.
Why does it work?
Keeping your iron and steel blades immersed in oil will prevent them from rusting, preventing the pitting and deterioration on the surface of the blade that causes it to corrode and become blunt.
Rust is a chemical reaction involving iron, water and oxygen. The result is hydrated iron oxide, also known as rust. In appearance, rust is generally a red or yellow shade of brown, characterised by flaking and cracks. You’ll see it on everything from bicycles and Swiss army knives to jumbo jets and tanker ships. The process is a well-known example of corrosion, and sees iron break down during oxidation. This is triggered by moisture in the air. When even more water is present, the entire process is ultra-fast-tracked.
Without water, oxygen isn’t able to spark the oxidation process. This means that in order to prevent rust, it’s simply a matter of keeping water out. As oil and water don’t mix, the element is a hugely effective way to prevent oxidation.
When metal is coated in oil it forms a protective barrier that stops any external elements from seeping through. This includes water. As water is unable to penetrate the metal, the rusting process doesn’t start. As well as tangible water, oil also repels the water that’s present in the air. This means that even when metal objects aren’t coming into direct contact with water, a slick of oil can still work wonders when it comes to preventing rust.
Why olive oil?
Why not? Since ancient times, olive oil has been used as a beauty treatment for the skin.
It’s rich in vitamins
According to the International Olive Council, olive oil has many vitamins, including A, D, and K, as well as vitamin E.
It has antioxidant properties
Olive oil is also an antioxidant, so it might help prevent or reverse damage from cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation. It has a very high concentration of an ingredient called squalene as compared to the other types of fats and oils that humans normally eat. The squalene is what gives olive oil the extra antioxidant boost.
It moisturises and fights bacteria
Olive oil’s antibacterial properites may help decrease the chance of infection by killing off the bacteria that may be present on your razor. Olive oil is also known to moisturise and hydrate your skin.
