Safety Razors & Slippery Handles

After months of shaving and wondering how anyone could keep a straight razor pivot pin and scales dry during a shave I finally saw the light. It wasn't that hard - I just needed to get past some rookie distractions. Now when I'm through shaving my razor takes a quick wipe, a quick strop and it's clean and dry. Never a drop of water or soap on the scales or pins.

When I jumped ship and decided to try a couple of safety razors I often felt anything less than a death grip on the razor handle could result in a slip. I paid attention and haven't had a problem but, after a dozen or so shaves I discovered (ta da)

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a dry handle isn't slippery. As with a straight, I was too preoccupied with technique to focus on avoiding a drip of soap or water on my fingers or the razor handle. Now, with other safety razor matters resolved, I learn it is easy to keep hands and handle free of soap and water. It seems silly to say but it took me many weeks to figure this out. So here it is: dry razor handles are easy to hold and wet ones are not so easy to hold. Hope this helps avoid one dropped razor. :D

:idea: Seriously though its something that gets overlooked. But so simple to cure. Every time I see the easy to hold with wet hands comment it makes me smile. I did the full rinse years ago when starting with DE's. Then like you I figured it out. Dry easy to hold. Wet not so much. Glad its starting to click.

Depends on the razor. If it's designed right even wet it ain't going anywhere. I used to have the Pils and it's the worst DE in that respect I've ever seen. It has a narrow perfectly smooth polished handle. Even dry it's easy to have it slip from your grip. It's an example of what happens when the design-artistic guys have final say.

That is one plus to good knurling. The merkur HD has some of the best I have seen.

I happen to have a towel hanging on a wall rack to my left at the sink. On the rare occasion when I get my right hand wet, I hold the razor in my left and dry my fingers. +1 on keeping handles/scales dry, be it DE or straight razor.

Yes, I guess the trick is to not get the handle of a DE wet and/or soapy. Then again if the handle has proper cut knurling that is not a problem. I love the Muhle R41 but the handle has impressed knurling/checkering and is chromed on top of it making for a slippery when wet handle. Drove me nuts till I replaced it with an Ikon Bulldog razor handle. It's slightly larger 1/2 in. dia. and cut knurling totally eliminated the problem.

Bob

One of the finest (IMO) DEs ever crafted were made by the late Robert Smith (RIP BUDDY:(
Bob would take vintage Long comb Gillette heads and have them triple chromed (this one is a new deluxe) back in the day I had 12 of them.
His custom crafted handles were known as the Bull mastiff,solid brass, triple chrome,even has a small magnet machined into the base for picking up blades,some of the finest Knurling I have ever seen.
They pop up on B&B and the bay now and than for cheap.
Attachment 170927

I only rinse the blade on a straight and the head on a DE. Like JimmyHAD, I keep a dry towel to my left. My DE handles don't get wet. In fact, I'm planning to order a Maggard MR9 soon. Nice, long, smooth handle. I doubt it will be a problem, and I think it's gorgeous.
Checkering/knurling can look great too, but to me it's more for looks than utilitarianism.

This is interesting. I've never felt the need to 'grip' a DE at all, I hold mine with an extremely light hold, using just my index finger and thumb. I also use a very light grip on my straights, three fingers only, index finger and second finger either side of the scales and thumb under the tang opposite the index finger. For the ATG pass, it's even looser with just two fingers; thumb one side of the tang, index finger the other.

I feel if one uses a very light grip; either with a DE or a straight, one can't really force the razor, and can't really apply too much pressure to the face with it, either.

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

This is interesting. I've never felt the need to 'grip' a DE at all, I hold mine with an extremely light hold, using just my index finger and thumb. I also use a very light grip on my straights, three fingers only, index finger and second finger either side of the scales and thumb under the tang opposite the index finger. For the ATG pass, it's even looser with just two fingers; thumb one side of the tang, index finger the other.
I feel if one uses a very light grip; either with a DE or a straight, one can't really force the razor, and can't really apply too much pressure to the face with it, either.

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Yea, I don't think anyone means they use a stranglehold/death grip on their DE or straight. It is just that with a light hold a slippery handle does not inspire confidence with a DE especially to guide the razor on it's way, at least for me. It is about control not about forcing anything or applying more pressure.

Bob

I agree with carmaloscheider that a light grip is all that's needed especially with a well-balanced razor. Similarly, I choke up on the handle some to avoid excess pressure. I have a Merkur heavy duty 43c stainless razor which has a satin polished finish on the hanlde. It gives a great grip, and all I have to do is steer...the razor does the work.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, I don't think anyone means they use a stranglehold/death grip on their DE or straight. It is just that with a light hold a slippery handle does not inspire confidence with a DE especially to guide the razor on it's way, at least for me. It is about control not about forcing anything or applying more pressure.

Bob

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Oh yes of course, I wasn't wanting to suggest a strangle hold is used. Just mentioning that a useful tip might be a very loose hold.

If my fingers get wet and feel slightly slippery i'll rub my fingers on a block of alum.

problem solved.....