Thread: Grease residue on the razor after shaving. What is this?

I have relatively hard water, and get a fair amount of soap scum. I put some 99% isopropyl alcohol in a little spray bottle, and find that a good spray until the blade is dripping loosens the scum so that it wipes off much easier and completely with a tissue. (Probably, the more common 70% isopropyl would do about as well, if you can't find the 90-99% stuff.)

This is another good reason for oiling the blade (and leaving the oil on during the shave.) Since lather and water never really touch the blade - just the layer of oil on it - they never get the chance to stick or cause stains.

After shaving I rinse and wipe the blade and strop a few times on linen, then reapply the oil (Ballistol is my choice.)

Originally Posted by Rajagra

This is another good reason for oiling the blade (and leaving the oil on during the shave.) Since lather and water never really touch the blade - just the layer of oil on it - they never get the chance to stick or cause stains.

After shaving I rinse and wipe the blade and strop a few times on linen, then reapply the oil (Ballistol is my choice.)

+1 on oiling the blade. I use mineral oil, since that is in my bathroom already. Aside from these benefits, the lightly oiled blade conditions my strop.

-Chief

Originally Posted by fritz

I have relatively hard water, and get a fair amount of soap scum. I put some 99% isopropyl alcohol in a little spray bottle, and find that a good spray until the blade is dripping loosens the scum so that it wipes off much easier and completely with a tissue. (Probably, the more common 70% isopropyl would do about as well, if you can't find the 90-99% stuff.)

I just happen to have a bottle of 99% alcohol at home. I´ll defineatly give it a try for the next shave.

Lemon acid based bathroom cleaner is great for soap scum.

Originally Posted by 0livia

Lemon acid based bathroom cleaner is great for soap scum.

Putting acid on a blade will darken carbon steel and do bad things to the edge.

By doing that, you are basically etching the steel, not good.

Hhhm, thats true for a lot of acids.
I use the bathroom cleaner for my soap kitchen and there is a lot of steel.
I have never seen anything like a stain from using it.
It just cleans excellently.

No its probably just mild enough.
Will try on a carbon steel and let you know.