Thread: Does hot water dull straight razor and DE blades?

king,

Well there you go. From the comments it would appear that both use and water will dull a razor. That's a heck of a note as it really hooks me on the horns of a dilemma as both I use a razor and rinse it in warm water during my shave and, after all that abuse, give it a final rinse it in hot water before wiping it and putting it away.

A fella just can't win. Or can he? I used that rinsed razor again this morning - sharp it was!

I wouldn't be worrying about hot water doing anything to a razor. I have never had any razor rust from rinsing in water hot or cold nor have I ever had a blade become dull from it either. If you soak the blade in water that's another story of course.

I think that sometimes it's possible to worry too much over things. Most of us have been shaving happily for years without giving the temperature of the water a second thought.

if the water is very hard and the temperature is very high, your razor could possibly melt away in front of your eyes

it has never been a problem for me though

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

if the water is very hard and the temperature is very high, your razor could possibly melt away in front of your eyes

it has never been a problem for me though

That actually happened to bladewielder's grandma.

Originally Posted by Bruce

king,

Well there you go. From the comments it would appear that both use and water will dull a razor. That's a heck of a note as it really hooks me on the horns of a dilemma as both I use a razor and rinse it in warm water during my shave and, after all that abuse, give it a final rinse it in hot water before wiping it and putting it away.

A fella just can't win. Or can he? I used that rinsed razor again this morning - sharp it was!

heh heh . It may not be enough to worry about. If we were stropping off micro rust we would see it accumulate on the strop, or at least feel its result.(yes/no/maybe?) Rust does happen. It requires the presence of water.

No, why would you think so?

Originally Posted by fccexpert

No, why would you think so?

After reading here for a couple years fccexpert I have yet to see any advice of need for cleaning your stop/linen from any accumulation of iron oxide. If it gets on there(the edge) to be stropped off where does it go? why do you choose the No option

Originally Posted by king1976

Guys, what you think does straight razor edge and DE blades get dull if rinsed in hot water?

Any WWII veteran, metalurgist, or someone who lived through the great depression knows the answer to this one. Use as much hot water on your face as you want. This makes the bristles stand up for a closer shave so that's good but never rinse a razor in any water that is not as cold as it can possibly be.

When rinsing the blade in warm/hot water the blade undergoes expansion followed by a contraction back to its normal size as the blade goes from hot back to normal temperature again. This makes the edge dull perhaps because the hot water softens the metal.

When rinsing with only cold water the blade goes in the other direction by contraction first and then expansion back to its normal size as the temperature goes from cold back to normal temperature again. This does not dull the edge.

With safety razor DE blades these days it is even worse. Hot or even warm water will soften the polymer coating on the blade. Then when the blade expands because of the warm or hot water the polymer stretches. When it contracts again not only is the edge dull but the polymer is all wrinkled up which effectively makes the blade seem even more dull. This happens pretty much instantly and is great for companies who manufacture razor blades because the consumer has to replace the blade sooner.

To test this, lather and shave only half your face with a new razor (be sure to always rinse it in very cold water). When finished this side of your face, rinse the razor several times while changing the temperature of the water from hot to cold. Now lather and shave the other side of your face. If you do not immediately notice that the blade is now more dull you will for sure notice the next time you use the razor. Mine usually last until the wife takes them in the shower. I have had some blades stay perfectly sharp for at least a few years of daily shaving.

As for the temperature of the water that you use on your face that is a personal preference but if you want your blades to stay perfectly sharp for considerably longer they must never touch anything other than cold water.

The difference between 50 F and 150 F isn't going to soften hardened steel any noticeable amount. Your blade has already been hardened up around 1500 F and then tempered up to around 400 F. Heating it back up to anything under boiling water shouldn't do anything to soften it any amount that matters. What hot water does do is heat your blade up and make it dry quickly after being wiped. Blackpowder muzzleloader shooters draw hot soapy water into their closed-breached barrels to clean them. The hotter the better. After drying by running a patch down the barrel, they leave them alone until lightly oiling the inside for storage. This is because hot steel air dries fast. It's been done this way for hundreds of years. Oxidization is worse for your edge than hot tap water, and I'd rather have mine dry fast than avoid steaming water. Just my opinion.

Hmmm... I just noticed this thread is 2 years old.