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

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.

Originally Posted by dtederick

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.

No such thing as dumb questions when you are starting out. As to what type of sponge, whatever is easiest for you to get the job done without risking your razor's edge.
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?

Microfiber towel to wipe the razor down, then some TP to finish it off. Again, careful of your edge, and leave it to air for several hours to be sure. Alternatively, slide the blade into one of those "wicking" sleeves that draws moisture away from the metal. This is my method.
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??

Never oiled my blades. YMMV.
Thank you all for putting up with my flood gate of questions.
Merry Christmas everybody!!

See bolded. Merry Christmas to you as well.