Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 38
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    London, UK
    Posts
    232

    Default Why can't I wipe a blade?

    I have been using some Crystal blades recently and absolutely love them. Ocassionally, I use some shaving oil on my last pass and inevitably it leaves some residue on the blade (oil and whiskers). It's impossible to remove this just by rinsing, so normally I just wipe the edge of the blade with a cotton wool stick. However, on the wrapper of the Crystals it states in bold writing: "Do not wipe. Rinse and shake dry".

    Anybody know why? Does it really matter?

    I guess the alternative would be to leave the dirt on the razor each shave. Would this make any difference? Since it is oil based, I imagine it would not harm the blade. It would build up though over 3-4 shaves.

    Thanks gents

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    1,160

    Default

    Two reasons that I can think of are:

    1. Rinse and shake only ensures that there is practically a 0% chance you will come into direct contact with the blade and cut yourself.

    2. Wiping anything along the edge of the blade will cause the blade to cut into it and cutting things wears the blade out. You don't want to get fewer shaves due to some cotton tips.

  3. #3
    gone down south

    Default

    You're overthinking things here....

    Razor blade.
    Fingers.
    Wiping motion.
    Spurting blood.
    Lawsuit.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Allentown, PA
    Posts
    146

    Default

    Like he said. I think that TS hit the most important points.

    Dave

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    The scene of a slip and fall accident...
    Posts
    2,686

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ContenderhunterPA View Post
    Like he said. I think that TS hit the most important points.

    Dave
    I'll have to say +1 to that.

    I'd also say that with the fact that the blade only has to last 3-4 shaves, just let it be and clean your razor well when changing blades. The cotton swab has more of a chance of dulling the razor than helping things.
    My name is Chris but you can call me "subtle as a train wreck."

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    in ur internet, cloggin ur tubes
    Posts
    6,687

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gone down south View Post
    You're overthinking things here....

    Razor blade.
    Fingers.
    Wiping motion.
    Spurting blood.
    Lawsuit.
    I was coming in here to give a variation on that answer.

    "You like having fingers, right?"
    Limecat can never die!!! Unless he gets curious.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    So. FL
    Posts
    1,301

    Default

    You may accidentally hone the edge, improving it and giving yourself extra shaves per blade.
    Now, what blade manufacturer wants that.
    Lou

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    The scene of a slip and fall accident...
    Posts
    2,686

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by huracan View Post
    You may accidentally hone the edge, improving it and giving yourself extra shaves per blade.
    Now, what blade manufacturer wants that.
    Yeah come to think of it he could just hand strop the blade to clean it...
    My name is Chris but you can call me "subtle as a train wreck."

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by huracan View Post
    You may accidentally hone the edge, improving it and giving yourself extra shaves per blade.
    Now, what blade manufacturer wants that.


    Quote Originally Posted by SavantStrike View Post
    Yeah come to think of it he could just hand strop the blade to clean it...
    I was just about to say, if you really want to continue wiping the blade, make sure you do it lightly and carefully in a stropping motion.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    So. California
    Posts
    261

    Default

    As it has been stated in different ways here you may cut yourself. Before I go any further I do WIPE my blades off! Some manufactures tell you that it should or could be done by blotting the blade dry.
    Like the song from Green Day (Live with out warnings). Remember when we could live life without "Warnings". When you just learned not to do something from a bad result instead of blaming it on someone or some business & trying to sue the one with the deepest pockets.
    Shaving it's not just a job it's an adventure!
    Shaving cream, Be nice & clean, Shave everyday & you'll always look Keen! (Benny Bell 1946)

  11. #11

    Default

    I think if you wipe it off is a stropping fashion then it shouldn't hurt.

    Quote Originally Posted by chicken neck View Post
    I have been using some Crystal blades recently and absolutely love them. Ocassionally, I use some shaving oil on my last pass and inevitably it leaves some residue on the blade (oil and whiskers). It's impossible to remove this just by rinsing, so normally I just wipe the edge of the blade with a cotton wool stick. However, on the wrapper of the Crystals it states in bold writing: "Do not wipe. Rinse and shake dry".

    Anybody know why? Does it really matter?

    I guess the alternative would be to leave the dirt on the razor each shave. Would this make any difference? Since it is oil based, I imagine it would not harm the blade. It would build up though over 3-4 shaves.

    Thanks gents

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    The Badger State AGAIN
    Posts
    14,923
    Images
    1

    Default

    If it is lawsuit prevention, then why wouldn't all blades have this warning? Also, seems to only be in English on the blades that I have had with the warning, yet they are sold world wide.
    Relax...Take it easy...Enjoy the lather.

    Dennis,


    Steward in the General Shaving Discussion Forum

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    in ur internet, cloggin ur tubes
    Posts
    6,687

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by OldSaw View Post
    If it is lawsuit prevention, then why wouldn't all blades have this warning? Also, seems to only be in English on the blades that I have had with the warning, yet they are sold world wide.
    Then it must be lawsuit protection.

    Unfortunately, North America is the easiest place to get sued for someone else doing something stupid.
    Limecat can never die!!! Unless he gets curious.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    North of the Golden Gate
    Posts
    6,792
    Images
    41

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by chicken neck View Post
    However, on the wrapper of the Crystals it states in bold writing: "Do not wipe. Rinse and shake dry".
    That would be the lawyer disclaimer. Thankfully, right after that, in really tiny text, it says "Feel free to ignore the previous warning if you are a responsible person and are willing to accept the consequences of your actions."

    You may need a high powered microscope to see it, tho.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    7,240
    Images
    91

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gone down south View Post
    You're overthinking things here....

    Razor blade.
    Fingers.
    Wiping motion.
    Spurting blood.
    Lawsuit.
    I really like this answer.
    Shawn

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    The Badger State AGAIN
    Posts
    14,923
    Images
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rabidpotatochip View Post
    Then it must be lawsuit protection.

    Unfortunately, North America is the easiest place to get sued for someone else doing something stupid.
    As soon as I posted that, I thought, "Oh yeah...ding, ding, ding, ding, ding."
    Relax...Take it easy...Enjoy the lather.

    Dennis,


    Steward in the General Shaving Discussion Forum

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Northeast
    Posts
    299

    Lightbulb

    coated blades
    wiping them may remove it

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Maple, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    6,601

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dirtdog View Post
    coated blades
    wiping them may remove it
    Coatings cannot be "wiped" off as they are designed to provide a smooth shave and a protective barrier to the blade edge. I remember reading an article with a designer at Schick talking at length about coating technologies and how coatings are developed.

    The warning servers two purposes, one of liability mitagation and the other to help protect the delicate blade edge from improper maintenance.
    "I wonder what it's like to shave with Occam's razor."

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Northeast
    Posts
    299

    Default

    thanks for clarifying that for me

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Maple, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    6,601

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dirtdog View Post
    thanks for clarifying that for me
    You're very welcome.
    "I wonder what it's like to shave with Occam's razor."

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. Do not wipe blade... why?
    By Sir Walter of Mount Royal in forum Safety Razor Blades
    Replies: 41
    Last Post: 08-21-2011, 06:33 AM
  2. Do not wipe blade?
    By CaptainK in forum Safety Razor Blades
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 08-28-2010, 05:30 PM
  3. Wipe Out (the TV show)
    By gaseousclay in forum The Barber Shop
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 06-23-2010, 05:44 AM
  4. why packaging says "do not wipe blade"
    By microtome in forum Shave Clinic & Newbie Check-In
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 02-10-2010, 10:38 AM
  5. Do NOT Wipe
    By Jaybird180 in forum Double Edged Razors
    Replies: 42
    Last Post: 09-25-2009, 02:24 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •