I strop it with my fingertips under warm water to clean it and then press it between folds of a soft cloth to dry it.
wiping blades
- Thread starter Gecko45
- Start date
Also, once upon a time blades were made of carbon steel prone to corrosion and rust, so removing and wiping the blade made sense and was recommended. Modern highly rust resistant blades make the steps of removing and wiping redundant. A stream of tap water removes all soap and hair off the blade in my razor.
I like to dip a Q tip in rubbing alcohol and gently wipe and residue off the edge
Not sure if it does anything for the edge but it keeps the blade clean at least
Not sure if it does anything for the edge but it keeps the blade clean at least
^^^^^^^^
This!
I prefer to spend my wiping time elsewhere but I thought I'd add this little nugget from my 1922 Bostonian Set. It would seem that Gillette was saying to wipe it only after removing it from the wrapper (?).
Why worry about wiping and drying blades, put it in the razor use, rinse razor with blade still in it, nice and easy.
+1. This is what I do.
I rotate through a large selection of DE, Gem style SE, injector and cartridge razors and never use the same razor twice in a row. I rarely even use the same platform two days in a row so I remove the blade after each use, dry it off and store it in a small plastic container until it’s up in the rotation again. It’s also nice and easy and makes more sense than having a dozen or more razors laying around with blades in them.
I personally don't wipe the blade after use. I don't take the blade out of the razor until I'm through with the blade & am changing out for a new blade.
ERS4
My exploding razor knows secrets
The "placebo effect" will also produce an effect of at least 15%.
Well, at least it means you have firm beliefs.
Well, at least it means you have firm beliefs.
So if I just clean it because I don't like the idea of a dirty blade, but I don't think it actually changes performance, are we talking 15% of zero?
ERS4
My exploding razor knows secrets
I'm talking about the OP.
Removing dirt is clearly not one of the things he mentioned. Since the cleaning action does not involve changing performance, we do not need to include this variable in the performance calculation.
I have observed that initial wear on most edges reduces cutting force before with additional wear, cutting force increases. This would normally be a result of removing the coating and exposing fresh keenly honed steel beneath, rather than removing burrs as OP suggests.
This is mostly for platinum driven metallic coatings. I don't think you are likely to reduce cutting force on an edge that only has a PTFE coating, and no metallic coating, though conceptually, it seems this must also be possible. On a blade without a metallic coating, you are unlikely consistently to accomplish it with a cork or wrapper unless you have done a lot of testing. It is not notmally difficult to do when a metallic coating is present.
I pinch and draw the blade through tissue, to clean and dry it after each shave; then flip it and reload in the razor. It does keep the bevels clear of limescale deposits if you are using hard water. The coatings are baked on so it makes no difference to the coatings.
ERS4
My exploding razor knows secrets
I'm with you.
This perspective is more pragmatic, and there are many microscope photos in B&B that prove the inseparable relationship between the coating and the edge of the blade.
From the blade manufacturing videos, we also see that the blades have undergone burrs removal at the polishing station.
I might keep three or four loaded razors on the counter but I generally use one for several shaves in a row. With your method of switching it up every shave, I understand and can agree with keeping the blades like that. Also, I haven't used an injector or SE blade in a long time, I should dig some out.
Yes, you should!
I'm not sure if you're uninformed or just lazy, but you are hardly scratching the surface of proper blade cleaning/storage.
Attitude is important in all things. Immediately following the shave I face ENE and take three cleansing breaths. Having focused my inner being I begin by removing the blade. I bow once (deeply) and thank the essence of the blade for a weeper-free shave and place it gently on a white velvet pillow (if I have not benefited from such great service I curse the blade and unceremoniously drop it in the blade bank). I then put the empty razor in an autoclave to prepare it for future shaves.
Next is the ceremony of the drying. A white kitten is required, but I must warn you that finding a home for all the white cats after they have outgrown their usefulness as kittens in the ceremony becomes a bit of a nightmare for finding owners. The blade remains on the pillow and the kitten is gently passed over the blade - using only the hair on the side of the belly.
After both sides of the blade are dried the tweezers are required. If you can't find ceremonial tweezers you can always add white felt to both sides of the jaws on a regular pair. The blade is lifted high while a chant for future weeper-free shaves is respectfully recited. Finally, the blade is placed in a gold box on a smaller velvet pillow to await the next shave.
I know this sounds like a lot of work, but with practice you can go from stem to stern in less than an hour (assuming you've already fed the kitten before the ceremony).
Peaceful shaves be with you.
Attitude is important in all things. Immediately following the shave I face ENE and take three cleansing breaths. Having focused my inner being I begin by removing the blade. I bow once (deeply) and thank the essence of the blade for a weeper-free shave and place it gently on a white velvet pillow (if I have not benefited from such great service I curse the blade and unceremoniously drop it in the blade bank). I then put the empty razor in an autoclave to prepare it for future shaves.
Next is the ceremony of the drying. A white kitten is required, but I must warn you that finding a home for all the white cats after they have outgrown their usefulness as kittens in the ceremony becomes a bit of a nightmare for finding owners. The blade remains on the pillow and the kitten is gently passed over the blade - using only the hair on the side of the belly.
After both sides of the blade are dried the tweezers are required. If you can't find ceremonial tweezers you can always add white felt to both sides of the jaws on a regular pair. The blade is lifted high while a chant for future weeper-free shaves is respectfully recited. Finally, the blade is placed in a gold box on a smaller velvet pillow to await the next shave.
I know this sounds like a lot of work, but with practice you can go from stem to stern in less than an hour (assuming you've already fed the kitten before the ceremony).
Peaceful shaves be with you.
Wasn't there something about keeping a blade under a pyramid?
I also have a white cat, but he is kind of an A-hole.
I never wipe, just not worth the risk ( as I am on a blood thinner)
If there is excessive scum .. just rinse under a tap or worst case scenario run a toothbrush over it once
if your feeling some OCD and really want to clean it . a damp cotton ball( with some witch hazel on it) would probably suffice
If there is excessive scum .. just rinse under a tap or worst case scenario run a toothbrush over it once
if your feeling some OCD and really want to clean it . a damp cotton ball( with some witch hazel on it) would probably suffice
