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??

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.

Lets start a poll,How many SRP members have died or became infected by a contaminated razor, the answere is, NONE.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Lets start a poll,How many SRP members have died or became infected by a contaminated razor, the answere is, NONE.

Oh that's not FAIR! The ones who have died can't answer!

I didn't mean to open a bee's nest. My point was more about taking good care of your blade. When I was a young man, I was instructed by an old Millwright who's philosophy was that you can tell the quality of a person by how they treat their tools. I have followed his advice and found it to be true, so why wouldn't I try to take the very best care of the tool I use on my face. I also personally can't understand why someone would go to all the trouble to repair,clean or purchases such a fine instrument as a strait razor and then not do your very best to keep as clean and shiny as you can. As for no one that has died from Bacteria/Mold maybe not from my Strait Blade but I currently have a friend fighting MRSA from a cut on his hand at work, and a nurse friend with HSV2 from touching her Eye. Far from my strait but why chance it, and in the end run what does it hurt to wash, rinse, and clean/polish my razor after every use, I am sure my sons and grandsons will appreciate that I took great care of my tools.