Thread: Wiping Off Your Blades Edge

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.

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.

Almost from the start I have used a damp sponge in a holder on the counter top to wipe the blade off using a stropping motion. No fibers to worry about and no damage to the blade. Big plus for me is that my fingers are nowhere near the blade edge.

Bob

I use a regular bath sponge. Saves your blade from the taps too.

I've done this since day one, ONLY, because I read the makers care instructions. They recommend toilet paper, so that's what I use.
If not Lord knows what I would have been doing.

I'm also use the wife's blower year, drying the pivot swivels making sure no water worked its way up between the scales and blade.

I use a flannel folded up and put over the water spout. Saves accidental dings and just wipe the lather off on it. No edge problems. Know a barber that still uses straights anf he will wipe off on a towel.

I strop the lather off onto my forearm, then give it a bit of a wipe with my towel at the end. If my forearm gets too loaded up i just give it a wipe down.

I will occasionally use my towel mid shave if i need to close my razor.

I strop it on the back of my forearm during a pass (thanks, Ed), and rinse between passes so it's not tacky drying lather.

*tacky _with_ drying lather.

Originally Posted by deepweeds

I strop it on the back of my forearm during a pass (thanks, Ed), and rinse between passes so it's not tacky drying lather.

Originally Posted by deepweeds

*tacky _with_ drying lather.

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