How do you make sure that your razor is dry after use?
Also, do you just wipe it with tissue (or a towel - I get a bit paranoid about touching the edge with either), or strop it, or do you recommend anything special, like Tuf-cloth?
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How do you make sure that your razor is dry after use?
Also, do you just wipe it with tissue (or a towel - I get a bit paranoid about touching the edge with either), or strop it, or do you recommend anything special, like Tuf-cloth?
I just carefully use a couple of squares of tissue paper.
Ernest
I don't know if it's "the right thing to do", but I've used a dry microfiber cloth to wipe it dry, taking great care not to draw the cloth over the edge but across it on both sides lightly pinching and drawing slowly. Then I use three drops of Dovo Sterol on each side of the blade and wipe that across the blade and the edge with a square of tissue paper.
Chris L
I just use the dry part of my shaving towel and then let it air dry for a while. My goto razor sits out in a tooth brush holder and airs 24/7
I usually rinse my razor in very hot water, give it a strop on a towel to wipe off any soap residue and give it a splash with alchohol. The razor is ususally hot enough to dry rather quickly. Two or three strops and a coat of mineral oil is applied with a cotton ball before the razor is put to rest.
Call me persnickety, but I'll typically perform this while I'm waiting for my face to dry from the witch hazel or aftershave.
When I shave I have a folded towel on the counter that is part of the "work station". I lay my razor on the towel when re-lathering or whenever I am not using the razor. That is the towel that I lightly strop the razor and then I blow out between the scales to make sure there is no water that can get on the blade.
Richard
I just rinse my razor under the hot water tap to get it as hot as I can while folded together. Then take and wipe it dry with a towel and tapping the razor in the palm of my hand which has the towel draped over it. Finally I simply place the razor on the heat register in the floor (our furnace/AC fan runs 24/7) until it's fully dried out. In the winter the combination of the heat being almost always on and the very dry air here makes short work of it. In the summer, the AC is usually on and again, the dry air will make somewhat short work of the job, but perhaps not as quickly as in the winter.
Regards
Christian
After shaving I rinse with hot water and wipe with towel. I then set i aside while cleanup of sink is done. The last thing I do is strop 30 times to make sure all moisture and residue from soap is gone. I can tell it is a little shinier after I strop so it must be cleaner.
bj
I just rinse it off and use a few squares of TP to wipe it down. The shave cream and water leave streaks on the blade, so I know that I wiped it down properly when all of the streaks are gone.
I have a somewhat similar question...I got my first straight razor, then realized what "shave ready" meant. Work picked up and the blade took a back burner, but it remained in the soap/brush/razor holder I have in the bathroom. After a few months of neglect, I looked at the blade and there were small dark spots, which, I assume, are the beginnings of rust spots from the humidity.
I should be getting the Wapi's I ordered fairly soon, and I'm pretty stoked about it. I don't shave every day, and probably won't, even with a full set. So, would the oil (Sterol) you guys are talking about prevent the issue I had with my Dovo from affecting my Wapi? I guess I've never come across oiling the razor...but it sounds like a good idea.
It depends on whether or not you dry the razor properly prior to applying a rust preventative coating like Sterol. If you don't dry the razor completely and there is moisture on the blade, Sterol would potentially seal in the moisture. I like the Sterol for a few reasons although I must admit I have not tried other products to compare:
1) It's non-toxic and food safe (If any gets in my mouth, it won't hurt me)
2) Even though a small bottle seems a bit pricey, I can already see that with my three drops per side of blade method after each shave that this bottle will last me years and years and years.
The dark spots you mention sound like "patina". Would patina spots inevitably transform into rust? I'm not qualified to answer but I'm sure others here are. Patina does not really bother me that much. If I had some razors that were highly collectible I'd probably think a bit differently though.
Chris L
Well, I know after my first attempted use, I dried the razor (had one of the cans of compressed air that I use to clean my computer)...but I think it was the humidity...regardless, I ordered a bottle. =) How is it applied? You just drip 3 drops and then rub along with your finger, or do you blot it dry after its coated?
The 'patina' didn't really worry me either, didn't seem to be near the edge, and when I hit it with the Dremel buffing wheel it all but eliminated them. Perhaps if these Wapi's work out, I'll send the Dovo off for a professional once-over.
Sounds like you described what I call "water spots". When the blade isn't dried thoroughly enough and small spots form. It is my understanding that they do evolve (if you will) into rust if they are left alone. This can also happen just by leaving your razors in a humid environment (such as a bathroom). I keep all of mine in a sock drawer. I use mineral oil to coat the blade after it is thoroughly dried after every shave.
Can anyone recommend a local or online source for mineral oil? Any particular brand?
I wipe the blade with a towel (cloth), blow between the scales a few times, and then grab the razor in a firm grip (in the forehand shave grip) and rapidly wave it up and down in the air for 5 or so seconds. Then I just lay it out on the vanity for a half day or so.
James.
I wouldn't use my finger as the salts on skin are reported to be potentially corrosive. I bought a package of actual tissue paper (very thin) in the gift wrap section of a store (I picked a colored paper since the white seemed to have a glossy coating) and cut that into squares. I $2 package will probably last me all year with the approx 4"x4" squares I cut it into.
Here's my method, but I'm sure there a countless variations that are equally good:
I dry my razor thoroughly then apply three drops of Sterol to each side in the following manner: 1 drop near the heel in the middle of the blade (the hollowed area), 1 drop in the middle of the blade in the hollowed area and one drop near the toe in the hollowed area, then I twist my wrist and repeat in the same manner on the other side. Then I take one square of the tissue paper and with the blades edge facing up and spine down I come under and wrap around the spine pinching with my thumb and forefinger in the hollowed area of the heel end. Finally, I very lightly draw the paper towards the toe touching only the sides of the blade and the sides of the edge.
Probably painfully more detail than you wanted, but you probably get the idea.
Chris L
Good Thread, I was wondering about this myself.:tu