Thread: How do I keep my razor, brush, etc in tip top shape?

Hi Ben, and welcome to SRP!

You'll probably get plenty of different answers for these questions.

FWIW, this is what I do:

1) Razor: After finishing my final stroke on the final pass, I rinse the blade with hot water, then dry it *carefully* on a microfibre towel. Any regular towel will work, but I find that thing just sucks up moisture like crazy. Then I set the razor aside, open, on the shelf as I tidy up. After dealing with my witch hazel or alum and (if I use some) aftershave, and tidying up the sink (including dealing with my brush - details to follow) I then return to my razor, and give it a quick strop. Something like 15-20 laps on a strop. Sometimes fabric, sometimes leather. I do that just to be sure that there's no moisture on the edge. I give the razor a full stropping job prior to shaving. Then I put the razor on the stand, and that's it. Lots of guys will oil their razors to prevent corrosion - especially in more humid climates. I don't but I never advise anyone against doing it.

2) Brush: I usually use a scuttle. When I do, I'll place the scuttle under the running tap with the brush in it and kind of swoosh it around to clean the scuttle, and to start getting the soap out of the brush. Once the scuttle's clean, I get it out of the way. Then with a combination of running water and rubbing the brush on my other hand, I get the rest of the soap out. Once that's done, I shake it dry that's it for the brush. Every once in a while I'll give my brush a good shampooing just to get rid of any soap film that may have accumulated. But I don't do that very often at all.