Blade Care Inbetween Shaves - Do You Bother?

[Goblin]

I was reading something the other day where someone was talking about how they always remove blades from razors between shaves due to rust. In nearly 15 years I have never had a stainless blade show any sign of rust and I am not sure what you have to be doing to your razor for this to be a regular problem.

I know some artisan razor manufacturers nowadays recommend loosening the razor handle slightly to help the blade dry, although I can't recall this being common advice back when I started wet shaving. I wonder if they are just trying to protect themselves from warranty claims from the outlier people who manage to mistreat their equipment enough to rust stainless steel in a few days and then blame it on the razor. Even then, I still can't imagine what they could be doing to achieve this.

Anyway, wiping the razor down and leaving it on the counter to air dry has always been sufficient for me. I wonder what the dominant behaviours are on B&B?

 

[Lil Cooties]

Hot water rinse and a shake (sometime loosening/opening, although not in the case of my Fatip so I don't have the hassle of re-aligning the blade), then left out to dry. A few times, I've checked after a few hours and it's been bone dry so I don't see much of a threat of rust.
As an aside for historical context, this old Gillette video about caring for carbon steel blades says to loosen, hot rinse and then leave to dry, and advises against wiping.

 

[Rusty Blade]

Rinse, quick shake, let it sit until next shave. I change my blade every Sunday, never had any problem. I found my fathers Gillette Executive in his bathroom vanity. It had been sitting there for 40+ years and the blade that was in it was fine, rust free and no staining on the razor. I think some go overkill on between shave razor and blade care. Totally unnecessary in my opinion.

 

[nav]

Before wiping the razor dry with a microfiber cloth, I take a deep breath and blow the water out of the razor head.

I've never had corrosion or even a single tea stain doing it this way.

 

[cranewarrior]

I rinse the razor after finishing my shave. Then I remove the blade and wipe off the remnants of soap and hair that are still around. Then I towel dry the razor and blade and store them away in my medicine cabinet for next time. Just takes about 30 seconds to complete.

 

[Butch Waxx]

I rinse the razor after finishing my shave. Then I remove the blade and wipe off the remnants of soap and hair that are still around. Then I towel dry the razor and blade and store them away in my medicine cabinet for next time. Just takes about 30 seconds to complete.

Same here

 

[Halfbeard]

I rinse razor. Disassemble and towel dry razor and blade. Reassemble. It is as natural as clean my dishes or take dust. How else ? The soap scum looks disgusting

 

[Umma2gumma]

I rinse the razor after finishing my shave. Then I remove the blade and wipe off the remnants of soap and hair that are still around. Then I towel dry the razor and blade and store them away in my medicine cabinet for next time. Just takes about 30 seconds to complete.

Same. I don’t like the idea of storing a wet blade in a dark cabinet from purely hygienic perspective.

 

[catfish1969]

Non-adjustable razor: Rinse, shake, allow to air-dry. Adjustable: The goal is to loosen a few turns to relieve tension on the spring, but I often do not remember. If either razor is to be stored, remove blade. Any razor(s) used are usually thoroughly cleaned every week or so.

 

[Cal]

I clean and dry my razor AND blade after every shave... then reassemble them ready for the next shave.

I was a Boy Scout.

 

[TheBigL]

I rinse and shake, but if it's a TTO, I do loosen the knob.

 

[borwish]

I used to take everything apart to dry, but for the last few months I've just been smacking the razor against a towel and letting it dry naturally. I've seen no problems so far.

 

[Dogrescuer]

I can only use a cart. I just rinse and shake and allow to air dry on the counter, come back and store.

 

[muzichead]

I clean and dry my razor AND blade after every shave... then reassemble them ready for the next shave.

I was a Boy Scout.

^^^What he said!! It only takes a moment to do and never have to worry about the just incase!!

Remember that just because it's made of Stainless only means that it Stains-Less and thats all. I worked in the fastener industry for 30+yrs and I can tell you there are instances where Stainless Steel does stain and will rust!! Don't let the name fool you...

 

[Frito Ray]

Hot water rinse, a few puffs of air from my mouth, then spritz it with rubbing alcohol. I first tried the alcohol to see if it would prevent soap the Proraso white film buildup, it doesn’t. But it does displace the water and evaporates more quickly.

 

[Goblin]

The soap scum looks disgusting

If you are getting many shaves from a blade as you do, I can see that soap build up over time could become problematic. I don't have a problem just rinsing off DEs, but I do find scum tends to build up on the underside of the blade when using vintage GEM razors, so I do sometimes remove GEM blades to clean them between shaves.

I worked in the fastener industry for 30+yrs and I can tell you there are instances where Stainless Steel does stain and will rust!!

Would you expect it to be common for blades to rust in a razor within their typically short lifespan, assuming improper care, or would it still be exceptional?

 

[railer489]

I toss the used blade. A fresh blade for every shave is they way that I give cartridges the middle finger.

 

[Alum Ladd]

I dissamble or open the razor, take out the blade and rinse it under hottish water, then I turn the blade so the other edge will be used next shave, and dry the blade by holding in a towel, obviously not wiping it. Then I return the blade to its wrapper.

I then clean the razor.

Having just finished an impeccable shave using a NEW SC with a blade which I hadn't used for nearly 3 years and with 48 shaves on it, the above method seems to keep the edge in good shape.

 

[railer489]

I dissamble or open the razor, take out the blade and rinse it under hottish water, then I turn the blade so the other edge will be used next shave, and dry the blade by holding in a towel, obviously not wiping it. Then I return the blade to its wrapper.

Having just finished an impeccable shave using a NEW SC with a blade which I hadn't used for nearly 3 years and with 48 shaves on it, the above method seems to keep the edge in good shape.

I'm not familiar with the NEW SC acronym. Can you break it out for me please?

 

[Alum Ladd]

I'm not familiar with the NEW SC acronym. Can you break it out for me please?

Oh it's a NEW model Gillette open comb with a short comb design. They came in Long Comb or Short Comb.

Came out in around 1930. Mine are around 1934.