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Razor care between shaves

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 5:18 pm
by daniel051
Once I've finished shaving, I rinse the razor thoroughly, give it a few shakes and slightly loosen the head before putting it away on a shelf. Should I do anything else, for instance, remove the blade? Thanks.

Regards,
Daniel

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 5:30 pm
by brothers
Daniel, I personally don't usually do anything other than just what you suggest, except sometimes remove the blade and rinse the razor and the blade, just to get rid of any remaining bits of lather and cuttings that might be hanging around. But generally, just a rinse does the trick.

I've picked up some really great deals on razors that evidently were never rinsed at all. Beneath the grunge, in many cases, is a real nice razor. I think there's a happy medium somewhere between filth and fanaticism. :lol:

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 5:36 pm
by Squire
That should do it Daniel, I don't even bother loosening the tension.

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:02 pm
by 95%
I...I blow on my razor (a Fusion) after rinsing it and shaking out the loose water. Any water residue, I reason, will leave microscopic bits of calcium and other minerals behind as it dries, dulling the blades.

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:39 pm
by Squire
Now why cannot I shake this mental image of canned air.

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:05 pm
by jww
I wave the razor (with blade installed) above my magical MWF porcelain container a few times to restore the edge of the blade and miraculously clean the razor.


Just kidding --- like everyone else, I don't do anything different either. Shake off the excess water, stick it on the shelf. Simple, easy-peasy, no worries.

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:24 pm
by rsp1202
I was concerned about rusting on my injector and blade, since the head assembly doesn't come apart for cleaning, but whether I've cleaned and dried it meticulously or just haphazardly, neither the razor or blades has ever showed any signs of damage. So I can honestly* say the injector is not only the king of shavers but also invincible.

*Hyperbole alert.

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:29 pm
by brucered
loosen head 1/4 turn, hot rinse, shake off excess water, await next days shave.

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:17 pm
by m3m0ryleak
For better or worse, I've gotten into the habit of rinsing the head of either injector or DE razor in 91% isopropyl alcohol prior to putting them back in the stand. If nothing else, this does displace all the water in the razor head.

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:45 pm
by CMur12
Daniel, I don't think you need to do anything else.

I'm a little more extreme in my practices, however. I prefer a three-piece razor because of the ease of cleaning. I take the razor apart after the shave, rinse the pieces well, and dry them with a towel. I rinse the blade off well, air-dry it, hand-strop it, and put everything back together, sparkling clean, for the next shave.

- Murray

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:05 am
by Squire
Murray, I think you are overlooking something but I can't put my finger on it.

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 2:56 pm
by ShadowsDad
Just be aware that some blades caution that they shouldn't be wiped.

Carbon steel blades require certain precautions, like an alcohol rinse to dry the blade, or a boiling water rinse for the same effect. I oil carbon steel blades. Nothing anal. Just a few drops of mineral oil at installation, a rinse, shake, and then a few more drops of MO after each use.

Other than that I leave things alone and do as most folks who responded do; slightly loosen the blade to allow water to get "in there", rinse, shake, leave it. Hey, these blades are sharp, the more one toys with them, the more chance for sliced skin.

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 3:42 pm
by Squire
True SD but I'm convinced that the 'do not wipe' admonishment is just a disclaimer for liability purposes.

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:52 pm
by timthepenman
yep, what he said......
brucered wrote:loosen head 1/4 turn, hot rinse, shake off excess water, await next days shave.

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:00 pm
by nteeman
Squire wrote:True SD but I'm convinced that the 'do not wipe' admonishment is just a disclaimer for liability purposes.
Don't think so. The 'do not wipe' instruction is to prevent blade dulling.

If it was a disclaimer it would say something like 'to prevent accidents do not wipe blade.'

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:08 pm
by brothers
Then don't overlook the possibility that there may be many other cryptic messages buried deep within the mysterious do not wipe warning. Wipe what? Takes one to a whole new level of subliminal suggestions. Did someone wipe something just before the Super Iridiums disappered? What exactly does "super iridium" really mean, and where exactly did they go? See, just food for thought!

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:58 pm
by Squire
Neal, I haven't seen any evidence to support the theory that manufacturers have the slightest concern over how quickly you dull your blades, they will happily sell you more.

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 8:01 pm
by ShadowsDad
Interesting what can be read into that "Do not wipe". I assumed it was because of coatings.

Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 8:21 pm
by Squire
It's to avoid injury claims SD. A manufacturer of a dangerous instrumentality (a razor blade certainly is one) seeks to limit exposure by disclaimer.

There are full disclaimers: 'This razor blade is dangerous and it will hurt or maim you by using it as designed. Do not handle this blade except with a pair of pliers and always wear gloves while shaving'.

And partial disclaimers: 'Do not wipe blades', 'Dispose of blade carefully after use', etc.

Not a complete defense of course, just sort of an 'I told you so' if someone hurts themself cleaning off a blade.

Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:42 am
by nteeman
I guess we agree to disagree. :wink: