Did you know drying your blade after shaving might make it last twice as long or longer?

[Auryg]

I love how everyone seems to assume that because they only need to shave once every few days everyone else needs to too. If I shave at 8 AM I have a 5 o'clock shadow at about noon.

In other words, I have a full on beard after a few days. I need to shave every day if I want to look presentable (and I hate the feeling of the first few day's worth of new hair if I don't shave too). I need to replace my blade every 2-3 weeks, and that's pushing it since I'm a poor college student trying to save money by letting my face get cut to pieces. I've tried soaking my mach 3 razors in alcohol to prevent rusting, but something odd happened - they quickly fell to "mediocre" status and stayed there a long time. I'm not sure why this happened but it did. I also tried drying my razor but I'm guessing it didn't work too well due to the bathroom always being steamy. I could try drying and then putting it in a ziplock bag I suppose...

 

[quikah]

Geez, if you can use a blade for 2-3 months why are you even bothering? Those things start cutting up my face after 1.5 weeks.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
Ok Im going to put this to the test. See the op for more info.

I've already started my test. I put 91% rubbing alcohol in a tight lidded jar in my bathroom and this morning after shaving, cleaned my razors (I use two Gillette Good News, and swap both out for new when they get dull) and then rinsed in the solution, tapped excess and put out to dry.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Auryg
I love how everyone seems to assume that because they only need to shave once every few days everyone else needs to too. If I shave at 8 AM I have a 5 o'clock shadow at about noon.

In other words, I have a full on beard after a few days. I need to shave every day if I want to look presentable (and I hate the feeling of the first few day's worth of new hair if I don't shave too). I need to replace my blade every 2-3 weeks, and that's pushing it since I'm a poor college student trying to save money by letting my face get cut to pieces. I've tried soaking my mach 3 razors in alcohol to prevent rusting, but something odd happened - they quickly fell to "mediocre" status and stayed there a long time. I'm not sure why this happened but it did. I also tried drying my razor but I'm guessing it didn't work too well due to the bathroom always being steamy. I could try drying and then putting it in a ziplock bag I suppose...

Yes, after rinsing in 91% alcohol, I tapped off the moisture and put them outside my bathroom to dry.

 

[TwiceOver]

1 blade will last you 3 months? Holy shit! At best I can get 2 weeks out of a Quattro blade. Been thinking of switching to a DE to see if I get a better shave.

 

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: quikah
Geez, if you can use a blade for 2-3 months why are you even bothering? Those things start cutting up my face after 1.5 weeks.

This. At that rate your cost is what, $8/year?

Originally posted by: Auryg
I've tried soaking my mach 3 razors in alcohol to prevent rusting, but something odd happened - they quickly fell to "mediocre" status and stayed there a long time.

I would imagine the alcohol could have a negative effect on the lubrication strip, and maybe also the soft rubber fin things. That might explain the sudden decline at the beginning.

 

[Muse]

I've been drying my razors. I did an experiment, first with one razor, then another:

1. Until it got dull enough where I didn't like using it, after each shave I cleaned it in water and then dipped it in 90+% alcohol before drying.

2. Same, but didn't do the alcohol thing, did dry it with a towel though.
'

The difference wasn't great. From now on, I'll clean and dry the razor with a towel right after shaving. I've getting over 20 shaves with Gillete Good News.

 

[ScottFern]

I recently started dipping my razor blade in boiling water for 15 seconds every night to kill off any bacteria and it has resulted in 95% reduction in acne on my neck and face. It is quite amazing I was missing this simple step for so long.......I could of wiped out nearly all my acne.

 

[zebano]

Hmm, I'll have to try this, I go through M3 blades in about a week, and yes, if I don't shave daily I have a shadow ~3-4 days to grow a full beard but the mustache never comes in well (very thin) so I like to stay clean shaven. This means daily shaving and shelling out $12 for new razors every month =(

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
OR just shave once a week, Monday morning. By Thursday you'll look a little fuzzy, but no one will complain until the next day and then you can just say "But it's Friday, lay off." And of course no shaving on the weekend, so then you're back to Monday.

There's no way all the facial hair after a week would be acceptable (for me at least)

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: JMapleton

Originally posted by: Eeezee
OR just shave once a week, Monday morning. By Thursday you'll look a little fuzzy, but no one will complain until the next day and then you can just say "But it's Friday, lay off." And of course no shaving on the weekend, so then you're back to Monday.

I shave like once a week. Low testosterone ....FTW?

Well, on the bright side, you're less likely to be have male pattern baldness.

 

[Born2bwire]

I don't think I've found a blade that can last me more than a week. I use double edge blades and they're all stainless steel but they do get rust spots by the end of the week. I've started keeping my razor outside of the bathroom to keep the blade dry to prevent rusting.

As for wiping them, interestingly enough, just about all of the blades I buy say that you should shake the razor dry, never wipe. I would imagine that wiping the blade may dull the blade if you aren't careful.

 

[xSauronx]

after reading another thread i started to do this with my mach3 blades, rather, i keep them in alcohol. when i shaved with my mach3 i shaved ~3 times a week, and *might* have gotten 2 weeks out of one. this was shaving in the shower.

using alcohol i get 3-4 weeks on them, but I got tired of shaving in the shower, and I hate using the mach3 so i broke down and get a Merker DE razor and some blades, and shave at the sink now. Im likin it.

 

[soulcougher73]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Imp
One of you on AT mentioned it before. I've been "blow" drying it since day one, and it still works great after about 10-ish shaves (Mach3). I probably won't be using it as much anymore though. I like the stubble look that my crappy electric shaver leaves.

After 10 shaves???? What the fuck?

I keep my mach 3 blades for about 2-3 months. A little face pain is a hell of a lot better then buying new razors.

My Mach 3s only last about 6 shaves before they are uncomfortable. Depends on your face and how much and how stiff your hairs are i believe. I only shave once a week usually on Mondays just because ill go through a blade a week if i shaved everyday.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
OR just shave once a week, Monday morning. By Thursday you'll look a little fuzzy, but no one will complain until the next day and then you can just say "But it's Friday, lay off." And of course no shaving on the weekend, so then you're back to Monday.

Similarly, I shave only when there is a face-to-face meeting. Otherwise, it is once a week.

 

[lxskllr]

I use a straight razor. I've had the same blade for 20 years now :^)

 

[LTC8K6]

I can't recall ever seeing any of my razor blades showing any oxidation.

I would think a light coat of oil would preserve them better, and allow you to keep them in the bathroom, if you are worried about oxidation.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
OR just shave once a week, Monday morning. By Thursday you'll look a little fuzzy, but no one will complain until the next day and then you can just say "But it's Friday, lay off." And of course no shaving on the weekend, so then you're back to Monday.

Even with my face smooth to touch I have a 5'oclock shadow. 12 hours later people seriously complain (I'm in the air force). 2 days and I have a full blown beard/mustache. My stubble destroys razorblades too; I'll give this drying thing a try though.

 

[MrMatt]

Originally posted by: soulcougher73

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Imp
One of you on AT mentioned it before. I've been "blow" drying it since day one, and it still works great after about 10-ish shaves (Mach3). I probably won't be using it as much anymore though. I like the stubble look that my crappy electric shaver leaves.

After 10 shaves???? What the fuck?

I keep my mach 3 blades for about 2-3 months. A little face pain is a hell of a lot better then buying new razors.

My Mach 3s only last about 6 shaves before they are uncomfortable. Depends on your face and how much and how stiff your hairs are i believe. I only shave once a week usually on Mondays just because ill go through a blade a week if i shaved everyday.

seriously? I keep mine for like 3 months and they're still fine up until the end. Also, try using shaving oil, seems to make for a smoother shave

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
As for wiping them, interestingly enough, just about all of the blades I buy say that you should shake the razor dry, never wipe. I would imagine that wiping the blade may dull the blade if you aren't careful.

Or it could just be a liability thing.

 

[FelixDeCat]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
As for wiping them, interestingly enough, just about all of the blades I buy say that you should shake the razor dry, never wipe. I would imagine that wiping the blade may dull the blade if you aren't careful.

Or it could just be a liability thing.

Ive noticed that if you wont wipe them properly, you cut off fibers from the towel! So after shaking the razor forward and backward a few times I gently dab the face of the blade in the towel. After that I look at the front and back of the blade any hidden water drops. All this takes about a minute once you get your pattern down, so its not like it will slow you down in the morning.

The blade is as sharp as ever. By now if I still had the blade without drying it, it would be painful to use.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
As for wiping them, interestingly enough, just about all of the blades I buy say that you should shake the razor dry, never wipe. I would imagine that wiping the blade may dull the blade if you aren't careful.

Or it could just be a liability thing.

Ive noticed that if you wont wipe them properly, you cut off fibers from the towel! So after shaking the razor forward and backward a few times I gently dab the face of the blade in the towel. After that I look at the front and back of the blade and look for any hidden water drops. All this takes about a minute once you get your pattern down, so its not like it will slow you down in the morning.

The blade is as sharp as ever. By now if I still had the blade it would be painful to use.

Never Buy Another Razor Blade...EVAR!!

 

[SunnyD]

I shave once a week. My razors (Mach 3's I think) generally last me several months.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
I don't think I've found a blade that can last me more than a week. I use double edge blades and they're all stainless steel but they do get rust spots by the end of the week. I've started keeping my razor outside of the bathroom to keep the blade dry to prevent rusting.

As for wiping them, interestingly enough, just about all of the blades I buy say that you should shake the razor dry, never wipe. I would imagine that wiping the blade may dull the blade if you aren't careful.

I wash my double edge razor well using a fine bristle toothbrush I keep there for the purpose (I brush my teeth with an electric toothbrush), then shake off the water, tap it on the sink surface then just fold a dry towel around it and press. I'm sure it doesn't dull the razor and it removes almost all the water. I then set it on a dry surface in the bathroom. During my experiment using alcohol I was letting the razor dry in a separate room, but I'm not bother to do that now. Like I said, I'm getting over 20 shaves/razor and I have a full beard. I also shave after showering... always! This softens the whiskers and I believe this not only gives me more shaves/razor but it makes the whole process much easier. I don't usually shave in the shower, but at the sink after drying myself after the shower, using shave cream, of course.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: FelixDeKat

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Born2bwire
As for wiping them, interestingly enough, just about all of the blades I buy say that you should shake the razor dry, never wipe. I would imagine that wiping the blade may dull the blade if you aren't careful.

Or it could just be a liability thing.

Ive noticed that if you wont wipe them properly, you cut off fibers from the towel! So after shaking the razor forward and backward a few times I gently dab the face of the blade in the towel. After that I look at the front and back of the blade and look for any hidden water drops. All this takes about a minute once you get your pattern down, so its not like it will slow you down in the morning.

The blade is as sharp as ever. By now if I still had the blade it would be painful to use.

Never Buy Another Razor Blade...EVAR!!

WTF is that about? :roll: