Feather AS Maintenance/Cleaning Tips?

[Broccoli Man]

I try to 'clean' my Feather after each shave, but this usually only consists of a simple wipe down with a paper towel and a few passes with a rocket blower to remove any residual moisture. Still, there's some definite soap buildup forming, so I was wondering about the best methods for removing these deposits. Is there more I could be doing between shaves to keep it from forming in the first place?

Along the same lines, I sometimes neglect to disassemble the razor when I'm in a hurry and just leave it hanging out to air dry until I get home (usually finding a lot of water still trapped in the head when I eventually take it apart). I always feel guilty about afterwards, as if I'm doing some irreparable damage to the finish. I know standing water and stainless steel aren't exactly best friends, but is it the kiss of death I'm imagining, or am I stressing out over nothing?

 

[razorx]

I believe the AS is stainless steel with a dull protective coating.I would rinse under hot water,shake it a few times and put it away.....However once a week like maybe after shaving Sunday I would give it a good cleanup with a soft brush and after it's dry if you're particular about maintaining it,wipe all the surfaces gently with TurtleWax ICE - It's a clear liquid polymer based car wax.I use it on the dull surface of the inner fairing of my Harley.

Very good stuff-wipe on evenly with a soft cloth,let dry and gently wipe off with a soft cloth.It'll offer some surface protection encourages water to bead etc.... Never actually try to "polish" ( rub ) the coating as you would bare stainless steel.

 

[jumper]

My Feather AS looks like the day it arrived in that nifty wooden box as a present from my sister about a year ago. I shave with it then run it under hot water and give it a few shakes to get the big drops off. When I change the blade I wipe it down well with a towel (you could run an old toothbrush over any build up) and put another blade in and I'm ready to go. I never loosen or open it until a blade change. It seems fine.

 

[Broccoli Man]

Cool, thanks for the tips. I'm glad to hear that the daily cleaning routine isn't strictly necessary. All that hassle was starting to make me wonder why I ever ditched my 1904. I only cleaned that thing once a week, and even then, it was pretty much just rubbing off the soap residue with my thumb to bring back the factory shine.

I don't have any Turtle Wax, but I do have some carnauba wax that I use for polishing pipes. Do you think that might have a similar effect?

 

[Ski-Patroller]

I believe the AS is stainless steel with a dull protective coating.I would rinse under hot water,shake it a few times and put it away.....However once a week like maybe after shaving Sunday I would give it a good cleanup with a soft brush and after it's dry if you're particular about maintaining it,wipe all the surfaces gently with TurtleWax ICE - It's a clear liquid polymer based car wax.I use it on the dull surface of the inner fairing of my Harley.

Very good stuff-wipe on evenly with a soft cloth,let dry and gently wipe off with a soft cloth.It'll offer some surface protection encourages water to bead etc.... Never actually try to "polish" ( rub ) the coating as you would bare stainless steel.

+1 Mine is well over a year old, and I just rinse it and put it away. Occasionally I'll clean it a little when I change blades. We are fortunate to have very soft water which may help keep things looking good. Incidentally my Merkurs get the same treatment. (i.e. very little)

 

[razorx]

Cool, thanks for the tips. I'm glad to hear that the daily cleaning routine isn't strictly necessary. All that hassle was starting to make me wonder why I ever ditched my 1904. I only cleaned that thing once a week, and even then, it was pretty much just rubbing off the soap residue with my thumb to bring back the factory shine.

I don't have any Turtle Wax, but I do have some carnauba wax that I use for polishing pipes. Do you think that might have a similar effect?

I would not use standard TurtleWax or Carnuba....What I recommended is TurtleWax - "ICE" if you want to....But seriously just a hot water rinse is good enough.Stainless Steel surgical instruments have surface coatings and hold up well.If nothing else it wouldn't hurt to email Feather and see what they say.