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

Greetings!

I had a very successful first shave today, But I am worried about what I have to do with my equipment to keep it in an optimal state.

After the shave, What must I do with the razor other than drying it? Is there a specific way for me to dry it? etc.

What about my brush, is there something special I must do to keep it like new?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Ben (zengardenz)

What kind is it ? They all need to be kept as dry as possible. I don't get mine very wet at all and dry with a towel or paper. Don't let any hide in the scales. If you are going to leave it put away very long you might want to oil it.

The brush is best kept hair pointing down. I don't but that is best. I wash the heck out of mine and then shake till no water flies out. (okay till not much water flies out).

There is lots already written on this in the library and you could use the search box and find about 8 gazilion threads on it. :<0)

Welcome to SRP and I hope your shaving gets better every day !

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.

Dry off the razor with bathroom tissue. Make sure to get between the scales. After shaking all the water out hang the brush by it's handle with the hair pointing downward.

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Dry off the razor with bathroom tissue. Make sure to get between the scales.

I use the same approach for the razor.

For the brush, I rinse it to remove the shave soap, squeeze the hairs/bristles together to get the water out, brush the bristles on my soft towel for drying -- similar to drying the hair on your head -- and to fan out the bristles back into shape, then hang the brush by it's handle with the bristles pointing down.

In the past, instead of using a towel, I used to brush the bristles on my arm to fan out the bristles back into shape. I then hung the brush to dry. That seemed to work out well also.

Good stuff above. Here's a vid by Lynn that's helpful.

I don't oil, but periodically treat the razor, scales and blade, with Renaissance Wax.

Regards,

Howard