Thread: Rinsing the blade

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...

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.)