Thread: Wiping Off Your Blades Edge

Originally Posted by Slurryer

This morning's shave came with a discovery that I should have arrived at a long time ago. Today, after finishing a section of my face, I used a piece of tissue paper to wipe off the blade edge. What a huge difference in the rest of the shave. I keep a towel next to the sink while I shave, but I'm always worried about using it to wipe off the edge side because I' don't want the towel to dull the blade from all the little strands of fabric. So in the past I've only wiped off the water from the rinse with the spine against the towel, and never with the razor edge facing down into the towel. Using the tissue seemed a little less risky to me, and the result was immediately noticeable. I can only assume that, although it's invisible to the naked eye, there is a build up of hair, skin, oil, lather etc... on the edge that get's between the hair on your face and the razor edge. That little bit of stuff on the edge impedes the efficiency of the razor enough to result in a much less comfortable shave. If the comfort of your shave seems to change mid shave, try using some tissue between your thumb and forefinger, and wiping of the blade off, with the edge facing down, and running between your fingers. Ridiculously simple and obvious. But somehow I never considered it before.

For those of us that are old enough to remember the hair cuts and shaves of times gone buy remember that the barber always wiped the blades edge while shaving either our necks or face. never really give it much thought until I started with the straight razor my self. I does make a difference. All in the learning curve. I'm sure before it's over we will all learn new old stuff. enjoy and have a great day.