Thread: Its all about the water...

So I'm imagining that a weekly rinse with distilled water should be fine to keep the damage from bad water at a minimum. Do you guys ever wash your razors from time to time? If so, what sort of wash do you use?

I do not wash my coticules nor my Escher because I leave the slurry on, the others I wash with water and dry with a towel.

Originally Posted by Kees

I do not wash my coticules nor my Escher because I leave the slurry on, the others I wash with water and dry with a towel.

Sorry if this is an obvious question, Kees, but why do you leave the slurry on? Does a layer of dried slurry make for a better finish?

I'm assuming that leaving the slurry on simply eliminates the need for creating a new slurry in subsequent honings. Just add water, and BANG!... instant slurry

amiright?

Wouldn't leaving the slurry on eventually "clog" (not sure that's the right word, but you get the idea) the grit on the hone?

I do it too. You cannot leave in on forever. eventually you need to lap, and or remove swarf. Also don't leave it sitting out where "stuff" can settle on its surface. I feel if I am using a slurry it becomes finer as it breaks down. When shave testing I don't want to restart with fresh grit- talking finish hones not foundation stones.

Hopefully Kees has more to add

Originally Posted by theworldover

Thanks Lynn! Any tips for blade care when I shave with water from the tap? Will the hard water affect the blade such that I'll need to employ extra care?

Just make sure you get the razor totally dry, really dry, all the way dry, not a drop................ If you don't use it for a few days a light Camellia Oil coating won't hurt either.

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by AlanII

Sorry if this is an obvious question, Kees, but why do you leave the slurry on? Does a layer of dried slurry make for a better finish?

I have two coticules, the coarsest one I use with a slurry. My Y/G Escher I use with some slurry all the time, Tim Zowada showed that it made no difference to the edge and it seems a bit faster. My NOS Thuringen hone I use with slurry only so why remove it and raise a slurry again?

Originally Posted by theworldover

Wouldn't leaving the slurry on eventually "clog" (not sure that's the right word, but you get the idea) the grit on the hone?

It won't and if it would it does not matter. With a slurry you hone the razor basically on a bed of very tiny sharpening particles.Iif you use a hone without slurry the pores might get gunged up and keep the sharpening particles away from the edge.

I know all about hard water. I grew up with well water on a lime ridge. There are/were lime quarries within a couple of miles in every direction. We had to keep replacing the dogs' water dishes at least once or twice a year, because the lime would crystallize on the sides and bottom of the bowl. If I was still living there, I would definitely use distilled water for honing.

As far as razor care....I drive a concrete mixer truck, and we add vinegar to our windshield washer fluid. The mildly acidic natural of the vinegar helps cut the lime film that will deposit on the windows. Vinegar is also recommended to run through your automatic drip coffee maker to clean out the mineral deposits. If you notice any build up of minerals on your razor, you may want to do a final rinse of 25% vinegar and 75% distilled water and dry throughly.