# Shaving my face like its the Year 3000 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH-WDsoRPI8 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/vH-WDsoRPI8 Generated: 2025-11-10T07:32:49.694+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The creator successfully built a functional replica of the infamous Skarp Laser Razor, demonstrating its ability to cut hair using a 5-watt laser beam, despite the original Kickstarter project being suspended for failing to work and being deemed an unrealistic technology. **Key Points:** - The creator built a functional replica of the Skarp Laser Razor, which originally failed its Kickstarter campaign due to not working. - The homemade laser razor uses a 5-watt laser diode powered by supercapacitors, allowing it to fire the beam for about 30 seconds. - Testing on a sweet potato showed the laser successfully vaporized the purple feather 'hair' but only managed to burn the skin about 1/4 inch deep. - The creator also tested the device by using it to trim a few small hairs on his neck, which resulted in burning but not actual shaving. - The replica's design closely copies the original Skarp design, including a system of mirrors to direct the beam onto the blade area. - The video includes a safety warning due to the use of a high-powered laser, with participants wearing safety goggles during testing. ![Screenshot at 00:09: The creator compares his patchy facial hair to an image of Keanu Reeves with a full beard, emphasizing the disparity between the desired outcome and his own hair growth, setting up the motivation for the laser razor experiment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vH-WDsoRPI8/00-00-09.png) **Context:** This video documents the process of recreating the Skarp Laser Razor, a crowdfunding project that raised over $4 million on Kickstarter before being suspended because the promised laser technology did not function as advertised. The creator, inspired by the failure, built a prototype using a powerful 5W laser diode and supercapacitors to see if the concept could be made to work, testing it first on a sweet potato and then on a volunteer's leg and neck hair. ## Detailed Analysis The video details the construction and testing of a homemade laser razor, designed as a functional parody or recreation of the failed Skarp Laser Razor Kickstarter project. The creator first shows the defunct Kickstarter page, noting the $4 million raised and the subsequent suspension due to the technology being unrealistic. He then demonstrates his attempt to build a working version, which involves mounting a 5-watt laser diode (powered by supercapacitors for a 30-second burst) onto a modified Gillette razor handle using 3D-printed parts and mirrors to guide the beam. Initial tests on a hot dog covered in purple feathers successfully burned the feather strands, though the laser was not powerful enough to cut through deeply. The creator then tests the device on his own leg hair (08:51), noting the laser beam is visible through his protective goggles and that it burns the hair rather than cleanly shaving it. A final test involves attempting to shave a few hairs on his neck (10:39), which results in burning rather than cutting. The creator concludes that while the concept is flawed, his recreation works as a demonstration, proving the original Skarp technology likely never could have worked as promised. ### The Skarp Failure Context - Skarp Laser Razor Kickstarter raised $4,005,111 before funding was suspended - The project was flagged for unrealistic technology and no working prototype - The creator notes the original promise was an irritation-free, incredibly close shave. ### Laser Razor Recreation Build - The replica uses a 5W laser diode powered by supercapacitors for 30 seconds of use - The laser assembly is mounted onto a Gillette razor handle using 3D-printed components and two mirrors to guide the beam. ### Testing on Substitutes - The laser successfully burns purple feathers attached to a hot dog (02:08) - The beam is powerful enough to burn the potato skin about 1/4 inch deep (02:47) but not fully vaporize it. ### Human Testing & Safety - The creator (wearing goggles) tests the device on his leg hair (08:55) and neck hair (10:39) - The laser burns the hair/skin but does not shave, producing smoke (09:01) - Both participants wear laser safety goggles during operation. ### KiwiCo Sponsorship Segment - The creator promotes KiwiCo's Eureka Crate, specifically mentioning the 'Mechanical Globe' kit (04:49) as an example of a real engineering project, contrasting it with the failed laser razor concept. ![Screenshot at 00:00: The creator filming himself in a bathroom mirror while showing the initial KiwiCo sponsorship overlay.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vH-WDsoRPI8/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 00:09: A side-by-side comparison showing the thick beard of Keanu Reeves next to the creator's thin, patchy facial hair, illustrating the goal contrast.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vH-WDsoRPI8/00-00-09.png) ![Screenshot at 00:18: Close-up of the cheap disposable razor held over the sink, contrasting it with the high-tech device being discussed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vH-WDsoRPI8/00-00-18.png) ![Screenshot at 00:31: The creator wearing red safety goggles while firing a powerful 10-watt blue laser, demonstrating the high-power source used for the experiment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vH-WDsoRPI8/00-00-31.png) ![Screenshot at 00:44: A comparison image showing the original Skarp design next to a CAD model labeled 'KOPY', indicating the creator reverse-engineered the design.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vH-WDsoRPI8/00-00-44.png) ![Screenshot at 02:06: The homemade laser device being tested on a hot dog rigged with purple feathers, showing the intense blue light vaporizing the feathers.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vH-WDsoRPI8/00-02-06.png) ![Screenshot at 03:36: A Formlabs 3D printer is shown curing the resin parts for the custom razor housing components.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vH-WDsoRPI8/00-03-36.png) ![Screenshot at 07:40: A side-by-side comparison of the creator's bulky laser razor recreation next to a standard Gillette electric razor, highlighting the difference in size and complexity.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vH-WDsoRPI8/00-07-40.png) ![Screenshot at 09:57: The creator laughing hysterically while his friend attempts to shave his leg with the laser device, demonstrating the chaotic and unsuccessful nature of the test.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vH-WDsoRPI8/00-09-57.png) ![Screenshot at 11:11: A large text overlay warning viewers about the dangers of attempting the experiment: "STYROPYRO SAFETY WARNING".](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vH-WDsoRPI8/00-11-11.png)