Thread: First semi-shave

Hi guys.

I just did it, shaved my sideburn off. I'm exhilarated. The shave itself felt so smooth I half expected to see the hairs still on there, I thought I must have bodged it.

I have a quick question: When I finished I ran the razor under the water to clean the soap off, then I dried it with a towel, but I didn't know how close to get to the razor edge with the towel. Should I refrain from actually letting the towel touch the razor edge. I can still see small soap marks on the blade towards the edge.

It would be best to wipe it completely and dry it compleately before you put it away. Some oil the blade after wiping and drying. Personally I dont oil unless I won"t be using the razor again soon. Also see the wiki about razor maintenance.

Originally Posted by tree1

Hi guys.

I just did it, shaved my sideburn off. I'm exhilarated. The shave itself felt so smooth I half expected to see the hairs still on there, I thought I must have bodged it.

I have a quick question: When I finished I ran the razor under the water to clean the soap off, then I dried it with a towel, but I didn't know how close to get to the razor edge with the towel. Should I refrain from actually letting the towel touch the razor edge. I can still see small soap marks on the blade towards the edge.

Rinse in tap hot water and wipe gently with a stropping motion on
a wash cloth, towel, wet sponge or tissue paper. When done,
apply a thin layer of mineral oil. By applying a thin layer of
mineral oil you will minimize the risk of rust. Do apply a bit of
extra care to the pivot. Water can gather there but a light bit of mineral
or other protective oil will help keep it out.

If you have water on the pivot WD-40 can be used to displace the water.
Follow WD-40 with a protective oil like mineral oil or Camellia Oil as it
is a better water displacer than it is oil.

I use a tissue and wipe the blade off in a stropping motion. When I'm done I use a blow dryer on the razor to make sure it's dry for about a minute. I then let the razor sit with the blade exposed for a few hours before putting it away because I am always concerned there is some water still inside the scales. I used to just wipe my old razor dry and put it away and I ended up getting rust on it because there was always water inside the scales and water in the area where the blade is attached to the scales with a pin. Not sure the blow dryer doesn't cause its own problems but it seems to work, however maybe I am a bit strange.

Glad you got that first one in the bag, its the toughest; since your standing there for the first time using a tool that if someone wanted would slice your throat clean through. But you did it, now lather and repeat tomorrow. When it feels comfortable shave your neck, then tackle the hard parts around the chin and mouth. Soon you will be doing your whole face and wanting to by more razors, a collection of aftershaves, more razors, hones, another strop to try, more razors, another brush etc. Or so has the progression for me been.

Nice job i to am a new shaver with num 7 under my belt tonight. Started doing whole shave but still very carefull on neck chin an mouth but getting there you will to and i love it. Its so true about wanting more stuff as I can testify to that also but thats part of the fun of it, keep it up and welcome
Glenn

I am very new as well, but I have been doing something I saw in a video. Don't remember if it were here or somewhere else, but the gentleman in the video rinsed with hot water then use a tissue to clean the blade and even folded one (I think in half) and passed it through the scales to dry inside there. I've been doing that to dry the scales (but I fold twice) then pass it over the sides of the blade before I strop the last time. I've tried to develop a habit of stropping about 10 or so laps before I quit then I close it and put everything up. I've been told this cleans and dries the edge a bit.

I use a can of compressed air, like you would use to clean the crud out of your computer keyboard, to blow the moisture from around the pivot. Once I clean the blade, I then dip it in an alcohol/mineral oil solution.

Hi everyone, thanks for all the replies. I didn't do a near enough job of fully cleaning and drying it. I think I'm going to have my second attempt tonight, but that means my first strop.

Well I did, my second shave. This time I did most of my face. I prepared for a degree of razor burn on my neck, and even though the results were patchy at best, I still found the over-all comfort level better on the easy areas and equal on the harder areas to my safety razor.

I still can't seem to get slight smudgy soap marks from near the very edge of the razor.