Thread: What do you do with the brush/mug/soap when not in use, and other questions...

So after your done shaving, do you rinse the brush out? Are you supposed to squeeze the water out or pat it dry? Is it ok to leave water in the mug with the soap when you're done? Please fill me in on the proper procedure. I'm worried about my stuff getting all soggy and mildewy.

How are you supposed to clean off the razor between strokes?

As far as keeping the blade from rusting, I use CLP and Eezox on my guns and knives, but I'm pretty sure it's bad for those to be in contact with your skin. What's an effective and safe way to keep off rust? Is it necessary to oil the blade daily?

Finally, honing. What is the coarsest grit to start off with? The finest benchstone I have is a soft arkansas, but I think that might be too aggressive for a razor. I strop my knives with white and red buffing compound, is this sufficient for a razor?

Thanks all!

For me I just rinse the brush out, and then shake it dry. Then I have a stand that lets it hang upside down to dry. As for the cup, I use my finger to wipe out the suds, and then let it dry normally.

Now as for cleaning the razor between strokes: I keep the hot water running just enough so that I can hold the razor under the water and the water rinses it off. Works great so far.

Now for the blade, I just clean mine with my fingers and then wipe it down with a clean rag after each shave. I dont keep it in the bathroom, so it stays nice and dry. No rust so far. When I store it for a bit though, I do rub a bit of light machine oil on the blade. Just wash it off before you use it though. LOL

Now for the hone, I will let some of the more experienced members answer that one. I think that 4000k is where you should start, but I am not 100% on that.

I thoroughly rinse out my brush and shake it
out until there is pretty much no more
mist coming from it. I then hang it upside down
in the brush holder. I clean the suds out of
the mug and towel dry the inside. I wouldn't
leave the soap puck in a wet mug as it
would prematurely break down I would think.

As for honing, I would imagine a conservative
pyramid using the 4k/8k would be all you
would need to keep the blade fresh, ending with
a Chinese 12k or yellow coticule if you wish.
Anything coarser would be for starting a bevel
from scratch.

John

Originally Posted by Inverness11

So after your done shaving, do you rinse the brush out? Are you supposed to squeeze the water out or pat it dry? Is it ok to leave water in the mug with the soap when you're done? Please fill me in on the proper procedure. I'm worried about my stuff getting all soggy and mildewy.

How are you supposed to clean off the razor between strokes?

As far as keeping the blade from rusting, I use CLP and Eezox on my guns and knives, but I'm pretty sure it's bad for those to be in contact with your skin. What's an effective and safe way to keep off rust? Is it necessary to oil the blade daily?

Finally, honing. What is the coarsest grit to start off with? The finest benchstone I have is a soft arkansas, but I think that might be too aggressive for a razor. I strop my knives with white and red buffing compound, is this sufficient for a razor?

Thanks all!

This is my routine: brush is flushed clean under running tap, flicked dry and put on its foot in the bathroom closet. No extra drying etc. I don't use a mug to create a lather. With a moist brush I mop up some soap or cream that is applied to my whet face. Brushing my face creates the lather. I simply close the tub of cream or soap after use. I use a moist brush to clean off the razor while shaving, after shaving blade is cleaned under runnig tap and dried with towel. I never oil the blade, I keep it in the bathroom closet in its box. Re. honing: I assess the blade and choose the hone appropriate. On my Friodur I initially set the bevel using a sharpening stone for scythes and it worked great! For touch ups I use Escher/Thuringian or coticule depending on my mood.

Same as above . Imo , you can't go wrong with a Norton 4k/8k . If your razor is already shaving sharp , an 8k or finer grit hone is all you need to touch up the edge .