Thread: Post shave care

Apologies from an old newbie (!) if that makes sense. If this is already covered then please say.

I saw on Youtube or something that you should never rinse the soap off your blade with water. Why not? If you dry it after.

If not, what should you do? Paper towel, terry towel, trouser leg (probably not a good idea!). And then, before you close it up, how should you treat the blade? Nothing? Silicon oil, gun oil, olive oil, baby oil?

Any advice really appreciated.

Just an old barbers tale.

The important thing is to ensure the razor is TOTALLY dry after use including scales and pivot point.

In the old days barbers wiped on either a small towel or one of those neck protectors they used to use to seal the apron to your neck area. of course it wasn't convenient for a barber to keep walking over to the sink during a shave.

I use a couple squares of folded tissue to wipe the blade
after rinsing in hot water.

I have found that I can see if the last bit of oil is still there
by how water wets or does not wet the blade.

If I put a razor away out of rotation I do use a anti rust spray from a gun store.

Some of my old blades are gray with patina and paper
tends to polish them just enough for me. Simichrome or
MAAS seem have a little oil and wax in the mix that persists.
Rather than polish an old blade all week end I polish it
a little bit at a time.

Look for the tissue with soothing lotion that is mostly
mineral oil. Or keep a lightly oiled (mineral oil) bit of
cloth in a mint tin. Wipe dry, lightly oil...

Each shave den and each city and town has difference
in ventilation humidity ... so be vigilant and relentless.
Do keep a tube of simichrome or MAAS handy.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Just an old barbers tale.

The important thing is to ensure the razor is TOTALLY dry after use including scales and pivot point.

In the old days barbers wiped on either a small towel or one of those neck protectors they used to use to seal the apron to your neck area. of course it wasn't convenient for a barber to keep walking over to the sink during a shave.

Thanks. I can see why the old barbers may use that one!

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

I use a couple squares of folded tissue to wipe the blade
after rinsing in hot water.

I have found that I can see if the last bit of oil is still there
by how water wets or does not wet the blade.

If I put a razor away out of rotation I do use a anti rust spray from a gun store.

Some of my old blades are gray with patina and paper
tends to polish them just enough for me. Simichrome or
MAAS seem have a little oil and wax in the mix that persists.
Rather than polish an old blade all week end I polish it
a little bit at a time.

Look for the tissue with soothing lotion that is mostly
mineral oil. Or keep a lightly oiled (mineral oil) bit of
cloth in a mint tin. Wipe dry, lightly oil...

Each shave den and each city and town has difference
in ventilation humidity ... so be vigilant and relentless.
Do keep a tube of simichrome or MAAS handy.

Excellent - Thank you! I have various oils and tissues for tools and sporting guns and will check the formulas.

Hey guys, I used to towl down and then wipe with tissue to make sure. My skin is sensitive and someone suggested oiling the blade after use for keeping. I only have three so not a huge rotation but the oil must keep the edge because without changing anything I get an irritation free shave now.