Thread: Can you wipe the straight razor after washing?

Today while listening to the mustache podcast the village barber says he never wipes his razors after washing or rinsing. My question is why is this not encouraged and you cannot wipe it how do you get the gunk off it?

I always wipe and dry my razors off after rinsing them. After that, always make sure to dry between the scales with some tissue paper. Then some stropping on the mesh / linen then leather.

Think you'll find most members here are rather diligent in ensuring razors are properly dried, rust is a bad, bad thing on our blades, and it doesn't take long at all to appear if they are improperly cared for.

Never get the tang wet, never get water in the scales,is so easy to do folks.
When your done shaving,rinse the blade in the hottest water that comes out of the tap 140 degs max.
Wipe the blade with a tissue,it will be hot, set it down on a washcloth,it will self dry itself because the blade is hot.give it 10 strokes on leather
Rinse your brush, hang it, put your stuff away, put on your fru fru juice,your done.
Take the blade add a couple drops of mineral oil, wipe the blade down (it may still be warm) store it away for another day,all will be just fine.
I have NEVER had rust on any of my blades.

What I do is clean it with fresh water, wipe it and let it dry open in a safe place.

I always wash my razor off, I question the sanitation of one that is not washed between shaves. I rinse with the hottest water I can stand(tap Water) and then towel off the blade. I also try to dry the scales as best I can and if I think I have water that will stand at the pivot... A squirt of WD 40! and then use a tissue to remove the extra. So Far the only ones that have tarnished are the ones I have yet to use after rebuilding.

Originally Posted by scotishcavalir

I always wash my razor off, I question the sanitation of one that is not washed between shaves. I rinse with the hottest water I can stand(tap Water) and then towel off the blade. I also try to dry the scales as best I can and if I think I have water that will stand at the pivot... A squirt of WD 40! and then use a tissue to remove the extra. So Far the only ones that have tarnished are the ones I have yet to use after rebuilding.

Why would you question the sanitation??

I question the sanitation as it pertains to bacteria/mold that might grow in the left over suds. This might not be a problem in a dry environment but I think it is in a bathroom. To each their own, this is JMO.

Originally Posted by scotishcavalir

I question the sanitation as it pertains to bacteria/mold that might grow in the left over suds. This might not be a problem in a dry environment but I think it is in a bathroom. To each their own, this is JMO.

If you properly and thoroughly rinse the blade, then dry it, including between the scales, there should be no left over soap suds. After all, soap suds imply moisture, and as soon as you have moisture, you've got rust on a carbon steel blade. And it doesn't take long at all for them to appear....

Certainly to each their own,for me, I like to make sure that the blade does not end up sitting with moisture. I carefully wash the blade after each shave with a small dap of soap in hot water wipe it clean and dry immediately. I then often take it a step further and use a small amount of Mothers mag polish, give it a good buff, hit the strop a few time and put it away. May not always be practical depending on how much time you have. Perhaps the village barber, because of the frequency of varied clientel feels it tempting to use the same towel to wipe down after each customer shave increasing the possibility of contamination, not sure. However, for a razor that you use personally in your rotation I do not see any reason not to keep it wiped clean and dry. Best Regards Ken

Originally Posted by lowks

Today while listening to the mustache podcast the village barber says he never wipes his razors after washing or rinsing. ...snip...

I ALWAYS dry off my blades after use and then let them sit in the dry air to dry out completely. Can't understand why anyone would knowingly allow their blades to sit with water on them. There may be good rationale but I've never heard it.