Thread: Razor Scum?

I noticed today that after my first shave my razor and a foggy soap film on the blade.

If I strop the blade, the business end of the razor is cleaned up, but the rest of the razor looks like clear plastic shower curtains with water build up.

I tried cotton swabs and hydrogen peroxide but this did not remove the soap scum film on the blade.

Any ideas?

Thanks

What brand of razor? Probably shouldn't make any difference, but what about after you oil the blade? (I use a square of TP and a couple of drops of razor oil from SRD (which I believe is basically camellia oil). Just gotta remember to wipe it off with another square of TP before I strop again... Otherwise, I've never heard of soap ever causing a discoloration of good steel that some type of oil or distillate thereof couldn't remove.

After your shave give the blade a HOT bath then use some rubbing alcohol on a single folded sheet of toilet paper and give it a nice firm pinch and drag! Careful not to cut your thumb!

If those don't work, try wiping with a cloth with vinegar on it. Then rinse right away.

A little bit disappointed after reading the title, thinking this would be about bad boys using straights. I don't have problems with soap scum on my blades. Immediately on finishing a shave I rinse the blade under hot running water and then dry the razor with a piece of rolled toilet paper. If you don't do that you will have to try what the previous posters have suggested as dried soap scum can be pretty tenacious stuff. Best to avoid it in the first place.

Bob

Thank you all for the replies.

The razor is a brand new DOVO Best Quality 5/8th I purchased from SRD.

I ran the razor under hot water and wiped it dry after I was done shaving, I guess I did not do a good job.

I will try the alcohol and/or vinegar trick.

Originally Posted by BobH

A little bit disappointed after reading the title, thinking this would be about bad boys using straights. I don't have problems with soap scum on my blades. Immediately on finishing a shave I rinse the blade under hot running water and then dry the razor with a piece of rolled toilet paper. If you don't do that you will have to try what the previous posters have suggested as dried soap scum can be pretty tenacious stuff. Best to avoid it in the first place.

Bob

Disappointed also, I thought it was about me. I love things about me, even being called scum.

Originally Posted by brooksie967

After your shave give the blade a HOT bath then use some rubbing alcohol on a single folded sheet of toilet paper and give it a nice firm pinch and drag! Careful not to cut your thumb!

do not do this.

i did this awhile ago and it cut through cloth,jumper and into thumb.

hold razor with spine facing you and edge away,apply oil on the blade then use a piece of tissue from spine to edge to spread the oil, this wont cut then move along the blade slowly adding more if nessisary

this is one of the safer ways to oil them

Somewhat unrelated, but if you want to SEE why hot water should be used, grab a 10x or higher lens and look at your edge after you "dry" it.

You should be able to see that the blade and edge are still actually moist, but the moisture will evaporate before your eyes in a matter of seconds (faster when the water is hotter).

Originally Posted by shanky887614

do not do this.

i did this awhile ago and it cut through cloth,jumper and into thumb.

hold razor with spine facing you and edge away,apply oil on the blade then use a piece of tissue from spine to edge to spread the oil, this wont cut then move along the blade slowly adding more if nessisary

this is one of the safer ways to oil them

I do this after EVERY shave and have been doing so for 9 months. Take care while doing so, respect your blade, and you'll be just fine...