To rinse or not to rinse ....

[citizensoldierny]

that is the question. After watching a few(o.k. more than a few) vids on straight shaving on the web. It looks like some people wipe the lather and hairs on hand , towel, the drapes, whatever and then some rinse with water. I know the carbon steel blades need to be dried well but are they this sensitive to water that even clean water rinsing has to be avoided?

 

[Kees]

No need to avoid rinsing from a corrosion aspect. I never do it, I just wipe the spent lather back on the brush.

 

[Hawkeye5]

I enjoy a warm blade from rinsing. It may make no difference to you. This is one of those personal preference items.
I personally don't feel you need be concerned with mixing water and steel for as long as a shave lasts. Bashing the blade into the fixtures, on the other hand, is not recommended.

 

[Thebigspendur]

Guys have a lot of phobias when it comes to shaving. I always rinse while shaving just being careful to avoid water on the pivot area. As long as the razor is well dried its no problem besides the soap contains water anyway so water is still coming into contact with the blade.

 

[Leche]

the drapes,

SWMBO loves it when I do this.

I just rinse it in the full sink and after the shave rinse well, wipe dry, and let it air dry open. I am careful about the pin area and the scales stay pretty dry.

 

[SavantStrike]

Bashing the blade into the fixtures, on the other hand, is not recommended.

Hmm... well there goes my theory for advanced edge maintenance...

 

[huracan]

Hmm... well there goes my theory for advanced edge maintenance...

Unless your sink is made of Nakayama Kiita stone, lol. That would be an expensive sink


Back to the original question, I have tried wiping against the palm of my hand, with a small towel used only for the purpose, but I have come to prefer rinsing with warm water.

 

[Oxi]

I wipe the blade on a moist towel. The same towel I use for Kyle's Prep. If I forgo this extensive prep I use a round orange plastic thing. 'My barber' uses a similar one, but I prefer the moist towel.

Wiping the blade on a towel gives me the opportunity to look at the hairs and check if I shave correctly. Yes I feel that on my skin too, but sometimes I need to pass the same area twice and I'd like to know if I needed to. It's all a learning experience.

 

[AFDavis11]

I wipe the blade on the palm swell of my off hand quite a bit. I seem to recall getting into this habit a few years ago when I noticed that rinsing the blade under running water was very ineffective.

 

[SavantStrike]

I wipe the blade on a moist towel. The same towel I use for Kyle's Prep. If I forgo this extensive prep I use a round orange plastic thing. 'My barber' uses a similar one, but I prefer the moist towel.

Wiping the blade on a towel gives me the opportunity to look at the hairs and check if I shave correctly. Yes I feel that on my skin too, but sometimes I need to pass the same area twice and I'd like to know if I needed to. It's all a learning experience.

Can you elaborate on this orange plastic thing? You've piqued my interest, I wants one!!!

 

[professorchaos]

I rinse then dry it, usually once I have completed shaving an area.

 

[Oxi]

Can you elaborate on this orange plastic thing? You've piqued my interest, I wants one!!!

Sure. In my experience: It works with all grinds, but it works better with a 1/4-wedge. The concave full hollow leaves more lather on the blade.

It's only a few euro's/dollars and it's quite usefull.

 

[Dharion]

I always used the running water but with my next straight shave I'll try wiping it on my palm. May be a bit faster.

 

[Luc]

I prefer using a towel. Quicker and I use less water that way. In the state of Victoria we are under water restrictions after all!

 

[Audiolab]

Sorry for the stupid question but that orange thing is to take the soap off the blade?

hmmm I think I will prefer hot water and therefore warm blade but interesting thought.

 

[Oxi]

Sorry for the stupid question but that orange thing is to take the soap off the blade?

hmmm I think I will prefer hot water and therefore warm blade but interesting thought.

Yes, but running water means you waste more water. I can leave the tap running all day without any high bills (water is cheap). But I don't want to waste anything if I don't have to. Therefor I use a (moist) towel or this orange thing.

 

[Audiolab]

Ah thanks, had never seen one of these before. Water is not a huge concern in my area but I do conserve where I can.

 

[Audiolab]

What is the "thing" called any ideas?

 

[Oxi]

On the packaging: "PVC-Reiniger für Rasiermesser" (PVC-cleaner for razorblades). Not a real catchy name

 

[Audiolab]

Thanks, not found it yet on any on-line shop but if I see them I know know what it is for.