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Quick question,
How often does everyone rinse their razor during the shave? I usually do it at the end of each section (after one cheek, the chin etc.) Will any excess soap mess with how the blade will glide? If so, should I just rinse more often or is this all in my head? Just a question that popped into my head whilst shaving today.
Many thanks in advance.
-MusicMan95
It's very easy to ding your razor on the bathroom faucet. Lots of S.R. shavers prefer a wet sponge. I slightly modified a small rubber dog muzzle to cover my faucet. (only used while shaving) Same concept as a catchers mask.
Dinging your razor on the faucet has dire consequences for the fragile shaving edge. (I have first hand experience)
Yeah, that actually never crossed my mind about the faucet. Thanks for that, I'll probably look into a small wet sponge
Here's a good video demonstrating the sponge method.
http://youtu.be/XIM0Coix6Gg
Personally I have always rinsed the blade after a few strokes as lather builds up. I was never in the practice of wiping the lather off the blade on tissue or other paper. Never had a problem.
I never rinse. Part of my prep is a hot flannel on my face. I then drape that over the edge of the sink and wipe the blade on that. YMMV!
When lather builds up on the razor. Probably 4 to 6 times per pass. Hitting the sink has not been an issue.
I'm a 'Sponge' man...
Attachment 199656
I never let my hard earned edges anywhere near a faucet, I have used a sponge since I started straight razor shaving. I only rinse the blade when I'm finished shaving and then I make sure to keep it well away from the faucet.
I rinse with care after a full pass. During the pass, I simply strop the lather off onto the back of my forearm. (H/t to Ed Hewitt.)
I wipe the blade carefully on a towel several times a pass to remove the lather build up. I keep a sink full of hot water and occasionally dip the blade into it just to keep the blade from getting sticky (that tends to happen since I don't rinse the blade under running water). You may be wondering why I don't just dip the blade into the water instead of using the towel? Good question! All I can say is that since I quite rinsing lather and whiskers in the sink, my drain quit plugging up! Once I'm done shaving, I rinse the towel in the tub which does not tend to clog up on me.
I also use a wet sponge in the sink, but also rinse off what the sponge left behind once in a while, as well as heating up the blade.
I rinse every couple of strokes.
I use the faucet. I've had no issues in the years I've been doing it but there are better methods.
Old time barbers would have a shaving towel over their shoulder and use that to wipe the lather as they shaved a customer.
I've been meaning to look into this (methods of cleaning blade, not really frequency). I haven't been using my straight razor too much since I don't think I have a good edge on it yet, but the times I do I've been using the back of my right (non dominant) hand.
I don't really care for wiping hair off on a towel and if I rinse with water I still need to use my hand to wipe off the hair and lather from the edge. I may try using a sponge sometime.
I use a damp sponge. Early on I tried a towel but tended to slash them up fairly readily. The lovely Mrs. GI was not a fan although I could get away with slashing up and throwing away a dollar sponge. I usually get a few months out of a sponge before it gets ratty and mildewy. At that point I just throw it away and bring out a new one. I find that the less water that comes in contact with the blade the better. When I'm finished I simply towel off the blade, strop the razor and put it away. Works like a charm.
apparently i like living on the edge (no pun intended) as i still foolishly rinse under the faucet as soon as the lather covers the blade. i do think of the danger every time though. Like Alice in wonderland said " I give myself some very good advice but seldom ever listen".
I rinse lather off when the accumulation is heavy using hot running water. I hold the razor with the point down at about 45 degrees and rinse no more than half way up the shank. My 5/8 blades need more frequent rinsing than my wider 7/8 blades.
An advantage is being able to judge lather wetness on my face by how the lather sticks to the blade near the edge. If the lather does not rinse off the blade quickly and has residues beginning to stick, I reapply water or thinner lather to my face and rehydrate using my brush.
Heating the razor with hot running water then wiping the blade helps dry the blade.
Negatives include a risk of hitting the edge on the faucet or getting water between the scales in the pivot. I have done both, but not often. I have gashed my face or knuckles on the edge more often, so I stick with the hot water rinse.
Never let any water get between the scales. If you do, dry it out immediately. A hair dryer and canned compressed air can help dry the pivot. Putting a razor away with water between the scales will probably stain and rust a carbon steel blade overnight.
Sponges and towels have been used for years and I probably am being unreasonably concerned that I will hit my edges and dull them on a towel or sponge. For most of the era of common straight razor use, there was no running water and especially no hot running water available for use during shaving. Our ancestors had no issues removing lather by wiping. Since YMMV, try both and use what works best for you.
I have also cut my fingers while wiping my blade and dinged my edge by dropping my razor. There is no substitute for vigilance.
Wiping may be the best technique for blades having covered shanks and frame backs where water can enter hard or impossible to dry spaces and cause serious rusting.
I have to admit I am a rinser too. There are these gadgets too
Attachment 199693
I admit to having Razordinkaphobia....
So I have been using a washcloth folded at the edge of the counter.
I use squares of toilet tissues to clean the blade when I need to close it (to set it down for any reason) and I give it one careful hot water rinse at the end.
I think this helped me when I was learning - the Razordinkaphobia slowed me down, broke up the pace. I like the quiet, not having to turn the water on and off.
But then I am also one of those Cold Water heathens...
Smooth Shaving....
I didn't know rinsing a blade was considered to be such a risky task. I have an advanced technique for rinsing the blade without causing any damage. I call my technique "don't hit your razor on the faucet". It's kind of like when you shave the mustache area without cutting your nose. Or shaving your sideburn without cutting your ear. Guys, if you are coordinated enough to shave with a straight razor, you can rinse the blade without hitting the faucet.
I rinse and/or sponge.
I typically have the wet sponge handy and use it to wipe the remaining lather off when finished shaving.
But, I am not afraid of the faucet.
I have a sink full of water, and rinse in there once the blade fills with too much cream.
Between stroke directions, I empty the sink, and rinse the blade with the running water before filling the sink back up again.
And at the end of the shave, I rinse again in the running water, and then wipe with the wet face cloth I had used during prep.
I leave the water on with just a very small stream. after every complete pass I rinse the blade. I watch carefully to avoid the faucet. as a mater of fact I replaced the faucet in the bathroom with one that is farter away from the back of the sink and taller so there is more room there to rinse the blade. of course this gave way for the wife to completely remodel the bathroom. very little to give up to protect my wonderful blades. don't you think.
Where did you find a farting Sink?Quote:
Originally Posted by rhensley
Easy, no faucet to get in the way etc, have water running just slow enough so that it does not ride up to the tang. Grip the blade with your thumb and index finger making sure you run them up and away from the cutting edge of the blade. I do this every time the blade is loaded so much it annoys me. No bowls or sponges, do it a couple of times and way you go.
I just rinse under running water whenever I think the blade needs it. Accidents can happen, but I just do the best I can to be careful.
I rince when the blade is full of lather and i dont shake my razor i just let the water go on it.
I always wipe the foam and whiskers onto my non-shaving forearm and then wash it all off when I'm cleaning up, not because I'm worried about banging the razor, but to keep water out of the hinge. The only water that gets near the razor is from a damp rag used to wipe it clean after the shave.
I have the coordination of a pregnant cow on a hockey rink. I don't trust my hand to keep a blade away from my faucet. I keep a towel folded over on the counter in front of me. I wipe off lather and whiskers onto the towel. Other members are far more coordinated than I am.
My OCD is also afraid of excess moisture/rusting if I used running water. I know it is foolish on my part but I have to live with myself:dropjaw:
You will find what works best for you.
Answers the question I was going to ask. Should I rinse or wipe.
Some really good stuff on here thanks Gents.
do whatever your comfortable with , I tried it all in the beginning , but I eventually found what works best for me , and if I get water on the hinge , I dry it real well , and a drop or 2 oil oil ,put away in my safe with dehumidifier and I,m good so far , tc
It's the rinse cycle for me.
I rinse after every several strokes. I've got my routine down. I've been doing it for a few years now with no problems.
I tried using the paper towel, tissue, and regular towel methods in the past, but I ended up coming back to the rinse. I enjoyed keeping the blade warm by the warm/hot water rinsing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
This is what I do. I have a box of plain white washcloths that get used this way and then thrown into the laundry every couple of days as the stubble gunk builds.
