Thread: Post shave blade care

Hello gents,

Can you all please share your tips/routine for maintaining a clean razor after shaving? I suspect I'm not doing enough to clean off my blade after shaving. Thanks a bunch.

Alex,

After the shave, I rinse the blade thoroughly, dry it carefully, including the pivot are and the inside of the scales — although I never get the pivot area and the handle wet — strop 15 strokes on linen and 15 on leather, coat the blade lightly with Ballistol and place it in the rack.

Hello Alex,
I try to keep my razor clean during the shave. Some gents wipe their blade on a towel or sponge between passes. I personally dip mine under running water, although a lot of guys will tell you this is a no-no. The way I do it, there is the danger of banging your blade against the faucet, although I've never done so. I take the same care passing the blade under the faucet as I do applying it to my face. When I'm done, I wipe the blade with a terry cloth towel and I blow the pivot point as hard as I can to remove any water. I do not close the blade, but leave it open in an out of the way place for at least several hours in case I've missed any water. Works for me, but my way isn't the only way...always open for alternatives myself.

I get my razor soaking wet and covered in lather every time i shave I used to just rinse it in hot water and dry it with toilet paper making sure to get the pivot and inside of the scales dry and pop it in its box. I thought i was doing a grand job however after a couple of weeks i noticed some dark spots (water spots i believe) on my brand new Boker, so i wasn't as thorough as i thought ! The water spots came off easily enough with some Autosol and have now changed my method.

My method now is pretty much the same, rinse in hot water, dry with toilet paper (inside the scales and pivot get special attention) BUT NOW i leave the razor out resting on a dry flannel for an hour or so. I then give it 10 or so strokes on the linen strop followed by a light coating of mineral oil (baby oil) and then put it in its box. Since doing this i have not had any more dark spots appearing on any of my razors

The general idea is to keep the aft part of the razor including scales clean and dry at all times. After shaving thorough drying is the critical thing. If you won't be using the razor for a few days or more some oil that won't go rancid is what you want. Everyone has their favorites. I like Sterol.

I find my blades with high polish get mineral spots no matter what I do. It used to bother me but these days when it's time for a honing I polish them with some quality metal polish and it removes the spots.

I do my best to never get water on the tang or higher. I want dry hands while I shave for a better grip, and I never want water in the pivot or inside the scales.

Rinse the blade under hot tap water, dry with toilet paper by pulling through from heel to toe. Gotta watch your fingers on the edge, but it's fine when you're careful. Set the blade somewhere safe open around 30 degrees (probably not needed, but in case of any moisture). Put it away when I remember.

I have never oiled my blades, and they have been fine thus far. And it's not like Rochester didn't get humid, either.

Rinse the blade, wipe it dry, make sure the scales are dry. Then I strop 40 on linen, 40 on leather. Ready to shave the next day. Once a week I put a little oil on the pivot and wipe down the blade with the leftover oil.

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for the responses! So damn helpful!

I use microcrytalline wax, like Renaissance Wax, and just dry it on a towel,strop it a few times and put it away.

Put me in the Overcare category. But! I've never had a problem with my razors in storage.

I never introduce my razors to water except what's in the lather. Wipe on TP between strokes. After use, I wipe (rather meticulously) any remaining lather/crud from the razor. Apply minimal mineral oil with sponge, stow in AlembiCase.