Thread: Solingen + Lynn = Kevlar?

So, in September, Lynn honed me up a couple of razors. I knew that they were wicked sharp, but did not know that they are in fact indestructable, impervious even to mothers-in-law.

My habit after shaving is to clean and dry the blade, strop lightly, then coat the blade in alcohol. I then leave it on my tall dresser, open, resting on its spine with the edge upward. Later in the day, I fold it up and lay it flat.

My mother-in-law visited recently. Apparently she decided to dust the dresser. Toward that end, she PILED EVERYTHING ON TOP OF MY OPEN, BLADE-UP RAZOR. This included, but was not limited to:
1. a hand-held radio;
2. my Radio Shack hand-held microscope;
3. shoe-horn;
4. Tiffany pocket-watch, boxed;
5. Merkur Slant-bar DE razor;
6. two packs of blades for same; and...
7. heavy marble Buddha, fist-sized.

After regulating my breathing and massaging my heart for a while, I decided to take a day before assessing the damage. On that second day, I inspected the edge with the microscope; looked fine. I stropped it with care, about 60 laps. Finally, I shaved. A fine, smooth, close, three-pass shave.

All I can guess is that she managed to bump the dresser, knocking the razor onto its side, before piling everything on. Even so, it is evident to me that Lynn is partnering up with some priest, shaman or Tibetan monk to impart supernatural strength to his handiwork. Thanks, and keep up the good work!

Ohh man, you really dodged a bullet there. I don't think I'd ever leave a razor resting with the edge upwards though, that just seem slike asking for trouble. Also, I wouldn't coat the razor with alcohol when you're done, I've heard of some ont so good things happening between steel and alcohol. Usually I just wipe mine down good and dry.

that was lucky...so how did you deal with this, I mean surely you told her?....i mean Im sure I would have said something but I guess I would have tried to be nice, i cant leave anything lying due to a 21 month old child so I have to be careful...

So I guess it was good luck and a lesson learned....?

I give it a quick wipe with alcohol but I dry it immediately and close it. That's the best way to go about cleaning the blade without exposing it to undue risk.

My next words to her would ahve been: "I've got a 38 and a shovel and I doubt anybody would miss you."

Here is my $.02. Get yourself a wooden cigar box and keep your razors in there. I have been using it from my first razor and all I do is dry the blade on a towel and put it in the box no other special treatment. I think the cigarboxes are somehow treated. In addition it keeps them away from little hands and mother-in-laws

lucky you.

On the case of the alcohol rub: wouldn't the alcohol evaporate quasi instantly? How could that bring any harm?

Originally Posted by harold

lucky you.

On the case of the alcohol rub: wouldn't the alcohol evaporate quasi instantly? How could that bring any harm?

It appears as though it's evaporating, but it's actually soaking into the steel and destroying it from the inside out!

Just kidding. Seriously, I can't remember if I've used alcohol on any of my blades. I think I tried putting a few drops on one of my razors while honing it one time because someone told me it would prevent against those damaging fingerprints you can leave. After applying it, though, it was gone in seconds.

yeah i have read on a help file not sure where about using Rubbing oil and mineral oil one before and one after shaving but i do not think i will bother. just a wipe down and store in a dry cool place for me. Would the alcohol only be for a certain type of blade?

I clean my blades with an alcohol-soaked cotton-ball routinely, after shaving. Something to do while the cold water splash is drying and I'm considering which aftershave to use. It also does wonders for drying the blade and removing soap scum, especially from satin-finish blades.