Thread: rinsing

just a quick question...when i shave with my straight, should i rinse the blade with hot, warm or cold water? I heard using cold water will help the edge on the blade stay sharp for longer. does it even matter at all how its done. Just something ive been pondering.

I rinse with hot, because a warmer blade feels better and does a better job than a cool blade. After, I rinse warm, then cold, as I change the temp I rinse my face with.

I don't rinse at all - I just wipe it off on a towel, that way there's no risk of getting water into the pivot. At the end of the shave I strop it on a piece of tissue.

would water really be that detrimental if it seeped into the pivot? i wouldnt imagine it would do any real damage. you know more than me obviously, but im here to learn so i appoligise for the torrent of questions ill be asking on this site.

The hot edge is, theoretically at least, sharper than the cool one by virtue of expansion of the metal. That's better for your face. Anyone putting the blade before their face has their priorities mixed.

And moisture allowed to sit at the pivot will your razor right quick! Don't be a dummy. Dry it very well by carefully blowing through the scales from the spine side at the pivot and then letting it air dry before putting it away. Kepping it in cardboard and/or a cedar box to help absorb vestigial moisture is also a good idea.

X

thanks, you just may have saved a razor!

I run mine under really hot water after I shave. My theory is like washing pots. if you get the blade nice ad warm, the water that doesn't get wiped off will evaporate ecause of the heat. I could be wrong though. It has never hurt my blades to be rinsed in scalding water before I put them away.

My wife doesn't want me to use towels for wiping off my razor, so I just use a washcloth.
If I rinse it under the tap, I keep the blade pointing down so that no water gets near the pivot hole.

Afterwards I dry it on a towel, and leave it lying sligtly opened on the top shelf so that any moisture can evaporate.

Originally Posted by tjiscooler

thanks, you just may have saved a razor!

That's why I'm here Citizen Shaver. X Man to the rescue!

Hey Xman,
I'm no expert in metalurgy but it occurs to me that if hot metal expands this would more likely result in a slightly duller blade, not sharper.
If I am wrong, please, show me the error of my ways!

Mark Avery