Thread: Rinse, wipe or dunk? How to clean lather from the blade while shaving

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!!

Originally Posted by Dantheman70

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.

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.