I think your concern about dinging is warranted. I keep a sponge on hand, wet it, and wipe the lather on it when needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikekiM
I think your concern about dinging is warranted. I keep a sponge on hand, wet it, and wipe the lather on it when needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikekiM
I just want to shake my head,this thread is like: when you brush your teeth,do you spit, use a glass to rinse,drink out of the faucet than spit into the sink.
I wipe the blade with toilet paper whilst shaving, once I've finished shaving check to make sure all lather is gone.
Strop then wipe a little inox mx3 on the blade to protect from rust.
I once went to see Oz as I had a new Bismark in need of a hone, he found a spot of rust near the edge.
I had used it only once before rinsing the blade, drying it off, then leaving it open to dry before stropping and lightly oiling.
Since then I've only ever wiped, water no longer touches my blades. Touch wood haven't had any more rust.
I use a 3oz Dixie cup. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
I've been rinsing, but after reading this thread, I think I'm going to try just wiping on a facecloth instead. Seems quicker, as sometimes when I rinse under the tap it doesn't always get off all of the lather/whiskers, and I have to carefully run my fingers along the edge to get it off while running under water. So wiping seems more efficient, and safer...
+1. I use Renaissance Wax also. I rinse under faucet, dry on towel with light stropping between strokes while shaving. No water spots!Quote:
Originally Posted by OCDshaver
Did a search on the R-Wax.. how often to you apply that? And is there any blade material it ISN"T compatible with?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetmech
Me too. Rinse and wipe.Quote:
Originally Posted by EggSuckingLeech
I also learned that if I fail to rinse all the lather off and let it sit for more that a few seconds, it stains.
I look at how fast the water is beading off of the blade and reapply as necessary. Kind of like a car wax, if it's not beading real good, reapply. As far as blade material, I use it on the Carbon Steel Razors, stainless steel knives, my Damascus Steel Japanese chef's knife and no problems. I believe it you research the ingredients and what all they use this stuff on you'll find it's safe to use on pretty much anything. It's used for oil painting restoration, antique furniture, etc. I also apply it to the wood scales of my razors. I use a microfiber cloth and with my finger in the cloth just get the tiniest amount on the cloth and apply. It dries hard in a few seconds. Buff off with the same cloth using a clean part. BTW, I got mine at Woodcraft.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikekiM
Thanks... Dropped it my cart on Amazon.
Woodcraft... Love that store.
Wash the blade and scales with warm water. Wipe with tissue paper. Strop on cotton and leather. Palm strop with Vaseline.
I rinse under running water, then wipe both sides on a towel. Very similar to what Lynn does in his DVD. I'm very careful to keep the scales dry. After the shave I rinse, dry really well and close her up for next time.
So many opinions and techniques. What is the SAFEST way to clear the blade when just getting started with straights? One way may be most convenient, but I want to be safe and protect the blade as well as prevent spots?? Thanks!!
Do whatever *you* are comfortable with. From what you've read here, what do you think would work best for you? Try that for a while and see how it goes. As you may have noticed, there is seldom one right way to do things. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman70
I suspect wiping it carefully on a cloth/sponge is safest for the blade in that it eliminates the potential for dinging it against the tap or sink. But care still has to be taken how you wipe it off.
Thanks, Cangooner. You know, it's funny. I am asking some similar questions that are asked on the DE forums(how to do this, what is best, best fit, etc) and the answers are just as they are in the DE forums- do what works for you. It's trial and error, more of "learning from errors" Just as I did with DE shaving, I don't doubt that there will be plenty of error. I just hope,to learn and get better with experience. I've got most of the supplies needed en route over the next week from various reputable/recommended sellers in anticipation of a first time straight shave on Saturday. Lookng forward to it. Thanks all for the advice.
im a rinser but after reading i am going to wiping lather on my sink towel
Based primarily on what I have read in this thread, I now keep a folded face cloth on the edge of the sink and wipe the lather from blade when needed. I rinse the blade with hot water and the face cloth with cold to give my face a nice wipe down. Dry the razor with toilet tissue and leave out to dry. I ordered some R-wax as well.
I use a length of toilet tissue folded up and do a stropping motion. I always leave a 'tail' of unfolded tissue to help clean the blade before stropping and then to help distribute oil across the blade at the end. I think it's a total of like... 5-7 squares of paper total.
My first week with a straight I rinsed. Water marks aside I had a rust issue because I couldn't get all of the moisture out of the scales so I keep it as dry as possible.
When I bought my TI from Vintage Blades, Jay included a little note about caring for the blade. Lynn has also made comments about how frequently people ding their blade against a faucet or sink. I was going to write an entry about being too careful, however, from reading this thread...
I've been converted - I have a paper towel on the sink where I wipe off the lather between passes. My blades never go near water. I wipe off the lather and then use the bottom of the sheet to dab mineral oil on the TI (carbon) and on the Dovo (stainless) if I'm not using it in the next two days. Maybe too picky, but I'm not going to ding my edges.
Saw several comment that they wipe the lather off with a sponge...great idea, gonna try it.
I rinse under HOT water and wipe the blade faces (gentle stropping) of a cotton terry cloth. The hot water makes the blade hot, and the remaining moisture quickly dries as a result.
As stated, try a few ideas, use what works best for you.
Water spots are not the end of the world, they can be fixed...but they hurt nothing and serve to remind us that this is a tool that gets *used*.
Personally, I appreciate some indications of use. My razors are beautiful, but they are razors first.
YMMV
Great read and interesting ideas! I'm close to starting up. I'm a noob and I have almost everything I need for my first time self straight razor shave so I've been using this time to read as much as possible.
For those that use the sponge to wipe lather is there a "preferred" type od sponge? Natural, synthetic, something as simple as a ocello kitchen type or one you'd use to wash your car?? I know I'm probably asking dumb questions like I said I am just trying to soak it up.... pun not intended.
Also as far as drying off the razor what are your opinions if you placed it on a microfiber towel and folded it over it to "blot" or soak up the water and not rub or wipe, then use toilet roll to remove any remaining moisture?
Bagister(anyone) you mentioned finishing off with baby oil, would the blade need any certain prep before the next shave. Wouldn't/shouldn't it be cleaned off prior to the next stropping??
Thank you all for putting up with my flood gate of questions.
Merry Christmas everybody!!
Hi and welcome aboard. I have used both car cleaning and the chamois type block. I found that the stubble penetrated into sponge where to block was great for removing lather and cleaning the edge. These days I use a face washer folded and laid on the edge of the basin.
With the baby oil you should just be able to wipe off with a tissue and the be fine. Good luck getting started.
See bolded. Merry Christmas to you as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by dtederick