Use Skarp to Shave With a Laser Instead of a Razor

According to the TV comedy The Big Bang Theory, everything is better with Bluetooth. We'd disagree, because the only thing that really makes everything better is laser beams. The crew behind the Skarp Laser Razor on Kickstarter seem to agree, because they've set up a crowdfunding project that could make shaving a very high-tech affair.

The idea sounds like something out of science fiction, but the reasons for this project are actually based in ground realities. The Skarp team wanted to address the environmental pollution and waste of water that is typical with most normal shaving solutions - razor blades can't be recycled, and end up in landfills. The Skarp promises a shave that's as close as using a real razor, but without any blades being wasted, or water going down the drain while you shave. At the same time, it is safe to use in water, so you can shave in the shower if that's what you're used to.

The idea is based on technology that is used in laser hair removal treatments. It uses something called intense pulsed light that can cut hair - but is low powered enough not to harm your skin - it's even safe to look directly at the laser, according to the Skarp team, though we'd probably avoid that, just in case.

The laser has a life of 50,000 hours, which is a lot of shaves, and runs on a single AAA battery, that should last about a month of daily use, Skarp says. You can see the full explanation in the video below:

The Kickstarter project, which is accepting funding until October 19, has blown past its funding goal of $160,000 (just over Rs. 1 crore). If you back the project, you can get a Skarp for $139 (just over Rs. 9,000) which is a lot for a razor, but take away the cost of all the blades you'd be buying, and that actually seems to work out over time. The estimated delivery is March 2016.

About Kickstarter of the week
In this weekly column, we look at crowdfunding sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter, to try and find the coolest new projects from the world of crowdfunding. Not everything we find here is going to be the next Oculus Rift or Pebble Smartwatch, and of course, with any crowdfunded project there's the risk that it won't actually ship, even after being funded.

Still, if you can afford to set a little money aside, some of these projects can be really cool, and worth backing.

For example, there's the GlowGene, a DNA altering kit that any mad scientist would be proud of; the Sensel Morph can give Force Touch support to your old iPad; and the Impact Wrap turns your punching bag into a connected gadget.

To see more from the world of crowdfunding, check out our previous Kickstarter of the Week stories.