Thread: Does wiping the razor between a washcloth dull the blade?

It occurred to me that I may be dulling my blade when I shave by wiping it with a wash cloth while shaving, rather than running it under the water. The way I do it is I pinch the wipe cloth on the blade with the edge away from me, and pull down the length of the blade to remove the lather and hair. Could this be detrimental to the edge of the razor?

Probably not.

I wipe the blade off with my finger during the shave. After the shave I rinse the blade then wipe it in the manner you describe. No problems yet. I did have the same concern at some point though.

You can use a stopping motion on the cloth if you want.

Michael

As long as you keep a slight stropping motion with the blade and don't apply too much pressure, I wouldn't worry too much. I never rinse my blades.

i always rinse my blades,in fact on my shavettes it clearly says not to wipe the blades,but i always dry my straight razor in the way you described

I just use a stropping motion on the cloth. personally I wouldn't be pressing on the edge any.

I generally rinse but if that doesn't get it all, I use a stropping motion on washcloth or sponge.

I lay the razor spine first on the cloth and then pinch it between my fingers not too close to the edge and just run back an forth on it with not too much pressure and staying away from the very edge. haven't had any probs doing that, thats usually for polishing with autosol though. when shaving I just do the stropping motion on the towel like the other guys say.

Originally Posted by mjsorkin

Probably not.

I wipe the blade off with my finger during the shave. After the shave I rinse the blade then wipe it in the manner you describe. No problems yet. I did have the same concern at some point though.

You can use a stopping motion on the cloth if you want.



Michael

I like this method for getting in the wipe habit. If you do it wrong you will know right away. Then use the towel to wipe up the blood. Seriously though I think your face has more effect on the blade than a towel would.

I always strop on the towel. Another method I have used was to use a roll of toilet paper and tear away the paper as it gets filled with lather and hair, repeating till the roll is mostly gone then transferred for use for the whipping of other things. BTW, has anyone tried those rubber whipping bowls from royal shave?

If using a cloth a stropping motion with no pressure on the cutting edge is the best method.