Thread: First straight shave

I know about both distinct schools of thought on this topic. Mine works for me, yours works for you. Don't worry Randy, I won't be biting your head off. I heard arguments for both sides from people who forgot more than razors than I'll ever know.

unless you are sharing razors, there is no reason or need to clean with disinfectant...after shaving I rinse the blade under hot water dry completely and strop the razor on leather side 30 laps...stroping also takes any excess moisture away from razor...With regard to oil unless I dont plan to use a razor for 2-3 months, or I am moving to tropics oiling a razor is busy work and not productive...I have over 100 high quality razors exposed to the air all the time ...as long as they dont get wet there is not rust or corrossion problems...with regard to stroping after shaving except for making sure razor is completely dry... I dont believe steel has a memory and is noncommital in its feeling about stroping or not stroping after shaving!

As you can see Piper, there are as many opinions as shavers.

When I strop after shaving I don't do the linen, just the leather and only about 12 passes to clean the edge.

I DO use alcohol to clean my blade after shaving. I do believe it helps prevent the survival of bacteria between shaves. It sure can't hurt. Disinfectants are used to stop the spread of bacterial cultures and from me, back to me is still spreading.

X

I actually don't worry about bacterial cultures, BUT...
1) Alcohol is a dessecant (dries your blade quickly)
2) It's a good solvent so it gets any soap residue that the water didn't get.

In any case it's only 20 seconds of work, so it's not a huge hassle.