brush and blade care

**tonsorial artist** · 06-19-2009, 05:31 AM

Hi All, Can someone point me in the direction of how you take care of your brush and blade after each shave. I tend to squeeze the remaining lather off under running water and then shake dry before hanging it. As to the blade, I open and run water over it holding it on the sides (lengthwise) and placing it on some tissue and rinsing the opened razor and towel drying it. Any thoughts would me most appreciated. BTW if the blade hasn't started to tug at your skin, how long would you wait before you can think of changing it? I've been usinh mine for ten days now and still no real change.

**Boba Fett** · 06-19-2009, 06:52 AM

Sounds like you are doing just fine with cleaning your brush. I make sure to clean out the very bottom center of the brush (which I believe is called the breach), squeeze it a little bit, shake out some excess, then lightly run it over a towel, and let it air dry (after fluffing the brush to unstick some of the hairs)

As far as blade care, there really isn't much I find necessary. Since it is disposable, I find there is little use for blade care. If it is giving you 10 shaves out of a blade (assuming you don't have thin, soft hair) then by all means keep going, because it is working wonders. Most blades that come wrapped will say "DO NOT WIPE DRY", mostly to prevent you from slicing your fingers open, I assume. Razor care, however, is something different altogether. I clean mine up after I toss out an old blade, before I put in the new one.

I tend to go about 4-5 shaves per blade, and then switch out. I have had some last a little longer, but 4 is a pretty good average for a thick, tough beard shaved daily.

**wundergussy** · 06-19-2009, 08:19 AM

Wow, what blades are you getting ten shaves with? I go about three and then switch, regardless of the brand.

**FreezerBurns** · 06-19-2009, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by boba fett

...i clean mine up after i toss out an old blade, before i put in the new one.
.

+1

**Leche** · 06-19-2009, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Boba Fett

As far as blade care, there really isn't much I find necessary. Since it is disposable, I find there is little use for blade care. If it is giving you 10 shaves out of a blade (assuming you don't have thin, soft hair) then by all means keep going, because it is working wonders. Most blades that come wrapped will say "DO NOT WIPE DRY", mostly to prevent you from slicing your fingers open, I assume. Razor care, however, is something different altogether. I clean mine up after I toss out an old blade, before I put in the new one.

+1, this is all I find necessary.

**dkell** · 06-19-2009, 04:27 PM

I just rinse all the soap out of my brush real good, shake the last bit of water out and hang it up. They do make brush cleaner for brushes. I've actually never bought or used it, just saying they make it. I don't squeeze the bristles to avoid loosening the knot in the handle.

I know some guys that swirl their razor in alcohol after every shave. It drives the water out of the razor head and dissolves some of the soap scum. The bowl with alcohol begins to look pretty nasty after three or four uses so I'm a bit leery of doing this myself. I usually just rinse the razor off and put it in the stand to dry. About every three or four blades changes I take a clean dry towel and remove the accumulated scum.

**_JP_** · 06-19-2009, 06:14 PM

For the brush I give it a good rinse with hot water and then a good shake. Hang it or stand it on end to dry, the important part being to give it a chance to dry.

The blade simply gets rinsed in the razor. The razor is stored head up somehow instead of setting it down. If it is set down then the remaining water on the razor head can puddle and cause the blade to rust. I store it in a cup, shaving stand, elastic loop in the toilet kit or whatever.

**tonsorial artist** · 06-22-2009, 03:52 AM

Originally Posted by wundergussy

Wow, what blades are you getting ten shaves with? I go about three and then switch, regardless of the brand.

Supermax Titanium Edge. I was surprised too when I git 10 shaves. I have a tough beard and I shave six days a week. A M# would last me 28 -30 shaves, maximum.

This is a five o clock shadow before DE shaves.

gone down south · 06-22-2009, 05:27 AM

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you got 30 shaves with a Mach3, you have no idea what a good shave is :)

Trust us, your blade is dull and needs changing. Pop a new blade in there, you'll be amazed at how much better it'll feel.

**michiganlover** · 06-22-2009, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by gone down south

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you got 30 shaves with a Mach3, you have no idea what a good shave is :)

Trust us, your blade is dull and needs changing. Pop a new blade in there, you'll be amazed at how much better it'll feel.

No kidding!!

Before I knew what I was doing, I would push a Fusion cart to near a month worth's of daily shaves, but since becoming more attuned to my face, and the dullness of the blade, I won't push any cart past the 5 day mark.

There is a noticeable difference in shave quality past this point, and it's surely not worth the extra nicks, and irritation that results.

DE blades are so cost effective, there is simply no reason not to toss it once the shave quality is noticeably decreased.

**tsmba** · 06-22-2009, 06:56 AM

I rinse the brush gently, shake it out, give it a few gentle strokes against a towel, and hang it up. Once a week or so, I clean it with baby shampoo. For the DE razor (I use a slant), I loosen it a tad and rinse well. Every couple weeks, I take it apart, soak in a 4:1 vinegar/water solution, then clean with a toothbrush.

**BullGoose** · 06-22-2009, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by wundergussy

Wow, what blades are you getting ten shaves with? I go about three and then switch, regardless of the brand.

+1 I usually go three shaves per blade (4 with a Super Iridium). Blades are inexpensive enough that I don't want to push my luck. It just isn't worth it. What blade are you getting 10 shaves from? I'm amazed!

**sebnow** · 06-22-2009, 09:09 AM

Being a newbie myself, I can't really comment. I pretty much do what you do with the brush. I don't bother rinsing the blade (I just leave it in the razor). As for cleaning your razor, have a look at the related article on the wiki.

**Gringo** · 06-22-2009, 01:14 PM

Razor care: you could rinse in (spirit/cleaner) vinegar when you take the blade out for replacement. This will almost completely dissolve soapy gunk and leave your razor shiny.

Brush care: I was told not to squeeze the brush because it puts unnecassary tension on the hairs. I assume you shave in the bathroom were you have either a shower or a bath in which you can vigurously shake the brush dry. This works as well as squeezing it dry and lengthens the lifetime of your brush compared to squeezing.

Blade care: the blades are disposable and need no real care. The edges are coated with some material that shouldn't rust - ceramic, platinum, etc. If they do rust, find yourself another brand. You shouldn't touch the edge if you don't have to as it will only weaken the edge. Air drying is the way to go IMHO.

I hope this helps.

**DGS** · 06-22-2009, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by tsmba

Every couple weeks, I take it apart, soak in a 4:1 vinegar/water solution, then clean with a toothbrush.

Is that 4 parts vinegar to 1 part water? Or did you mean the other way around?

**beaverboy** · 06-23-2009, 12:41 AM

I shave with various gilletes and the only addition I would make is that I leave the silo doors loose to allow some air movement around the blade. I've noticed that if I don't do this then there can still be some water trapped inside the next time I go to shave. I dunno whether this affects the longevity of the razor but better safe than sorry i guess.

As far as the brush, just what Bobba Fett said. Its backed up by Mantic in one of his videos so it can't be too wrong. And Bobba, you got the terminology right but not the spelling. Its breech like in a rifle, not breach like a hole.

**tonsorial artist** · 06-24-2009, 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by gone down south

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you got 30 shaves with a Mach3, you have no idea what a good shave is :)

Trust us, your blade is dull and needs changing. Pop a new blade in there, you'll be amazed at how much better it'll feel.

I quit using the M3. And yes, with wet shaving, you can stretch the life of your M3. With a can, it doesn't last even half as long. But then again they've got that other green coloured one (M Power?) that doesn't last two strokes. But then again, I've always used a DE technique of pulling the skin taut etc with this blade too. Plus, they being expensive, I felt I had to prolong their use as much as I could

**tonsorial artist** · 06-24-2009, 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by BullGoose

+1 I usually go three shaves per blade (4 with a Super Iridium). Blades are inexpensive enough that I don't want to push my luck. It just isn't worth it. What blade are you getting 10 shaves from? I'm amazed!

Supermax titanium edge. I've had three shaves as of this morning. I'll give the three day approach a go.

**ytsejammer** · 06-24-2009, 05:50 AM

artist, you need a vintage gillette it sounds like...much cheaper and better shaves...

**tonsorial artist** · 06-24-2009, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by ytsejammer

artist, you need a vintage gillette it sounds like...much cheaper and better shaves...

I am using a vintage Gillette travel razor. And the blade lasted me ten shaves. If people, are amazed, they should be. Part of the reason that my blades last me a lot longer is that I use boiling hot water to start the shave and it remains warm by the third pass too. Try it people, it just might work for you. And BTW, I use only a coffee mug full of water. Like the WWII GI issue mugs.