Keeping Your Hand Dry

[M Martinez]

I have always been bothered by a wet hand and wet & dirty blade when shaving. Not obsessed just bothered. So I keep a hand towel on the counter to dry my hands and razor repeatedly when shaving. But the towel never totally dried my hand.


We keep a Micro Fiber towel hanging on the shower door handle to wipe down the door after a shower. Our water is hard and water spots are a never ending problem. The Micro Fiber dispatches those spots quickly and easily.


I like to build lather on my face, a little soap, little hot water work it in. A little more hot water, work it in briskly. More hot water, work it in. The end result is a thick hot lather and a soap speckled mirror. Then wipe down with the Micro Fiber when done.

Well I noticed the Micro Fiber absorbs the water from my hand very well when cleaning the mirror. So I started keeping the Micro Fiber on the counter when shaving for drying my hand and the razor and cleaning the blade.


The end result of the Micro Fiber are;
1.Your hand is perfectly dry.
2.Your razor is perfectly dry & clean during & after your shave.
3.Your razor pivot pin stays dry.
4.Your brush is dry. Blot on the Micro, Shape and Hang.
5.Your Mirror is clean and Fixtures are Bright & Shiny
6.Your Bride is happy & life is good.


My wife tosses them in the laundry with the towels & into the dryer though they do shrink some. I bought a package of a bunch, 24 I think, about 18x18 inches from Costco or Sam’s a couple of years ago for 10 or 12 dollars for washing & waxing our cars.

They are also great for a sharpening session again, I prefer my hands dry. It also keeps the razor dry and clean so you can see what you’re doing.

Maybe it will keep someone from dropping a razor.

Marty

[Croaker]

For me, a dry shaving hand is also important, to prevent dropping the razor by accident. I dry my shaving hand with regular towel periodically during the shave, as I set the razor down to resoak and relather my face for the final passes. I had not thought of using a micro fiber towel for my hand, thanks for the idea! The micro fiber towels are also great to dry the razor with post shave, before a final few laps on the strop.
I read in an old time barber manual to keep a container of alum water to dip the shaving hand in before starting, so the hand would have a more secure grip on the razor. Never tried it because I don't like the astringent sensation of alum. Thanks for your post!

[Lynn]

Thanks for a great topic and tip.

I constantly see razors in from new guys that have water stains all over the blade and soap scum still on it too. New guys have a tendency to either dunk the entire razor or run the entire razor including handles under the faucet. This not only can make the hand wet and slippery, but also causes those stains on the blades many times from not getting the scales perfectly dry. I believe as a result of the wet hand that razors also get dropped or hit against the sink or faucet.

Another thing that makes the hand wet is when the handle of the brush is wet and then you reapply suds and then your hand is wet and slippery from the suds.

I think the micro fiber idea is great and would recommend trying to keep the brush handle dry after you have made up and applied your initial lather. For the razor, I always recommend just running the blade under the faucet water to rinse off the whisker and suds and then wipe it dry before the next stroke. I keep a towel at the sink too, but will definitely be giving the micro fiber a try for both shaving and honing.

Lynn

[Slartibartfast]

I usually will wipe my finger tips on my alum bar during the shave too, too help with grip and stretching.

[Kees]

Alum bar? Won't the salt actually facilitate rusting?

[Slartibartfast]

I'm not rubbing the alum bar ont he blade. Just on my finger tips so i can stretch the skin easier.

Alum bar? Won't the salt actually facilitate rusting?

[M Martinez]

I was in Costco the other day and saw the Micro Fiber towels I bought. They are a package of 36 towles, 16x16 inch thick yellow towels for 14 dollars and change. They do seem to work better after a couple of washes.

I wipe the blade and edge clean after shaving and prior to putting away. Just keep the towel lightly pinched between the thumb and forefinger and moving away from the edge as it moves towards the end.


I then oil the edge with a gun oil soaked q tip that I keep in a plastic salsa cup in the drawer with the razors. I oil the bevel because the razor will sit for a few days in rotation.

The q tip is the cheep tightly wound cotton on a plastic stick, not the fluffy Q tip brand. The tight cotton winding allows me to feel the condition as I lightly slid it down edge. The slightest snag quickly reveals a micro chip.

Marty

[Kees]

Natural fibres do a great job as well. Highest absorbancy is achieved using undyed cotton or linen, washing them without fabric conditioner and not ironing them.

New towels need washing a couple of time to get rid of the manufacturers' fabric conditioners.