Thread: couple issues for new str8 shaver

Originally Posted by avatar1999

After I finish shaving, I dry the razor off as best as I can, then I blow really forcefully down at the pivot point, to force any excess water out. I haven't had any problems with it yet.

Also, you could maybe put a few drops of rubbing alcohol down in at the pivot point, and work the blade a little to let it get in there good. The alcohol should help get the water out of there as well. Just a thought.

hmm that alcohol suggestion is interesting. Has anyone else tried this?

Originally Posted by DanS

hmm that alcohol suggestion is interesting. Has anyone else tried this?

I keep 99% isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle and use it liberally after shaving. It makes it easy to wipe off the soap scum if you have hard water. I then spray again and set the open razor on a rack to air dry at least until after lunch. The only thing that you have to be careful about is that it doesn't do anything to your scales, depending on what they're made of and how they're finished. Whether you follow this with oil depends on your situation, like humidity, length of storage, etc.

If you do develop some rust there, the easiest way I've found to clean it (without taking the scales off) is to use Flitz or Maas polish on a piece of dental floss. (Use the wide braided type.) It's best to have the spine clamped in a padded vise so you can do a "shoe-shine" movement with the floss.

Another possibility for 'nicking' your blade could be applying too much pressure on the blade when stropping. This has happened to me at the beginning and the blade was also scratching significantly over the strop afterwards. The razor needed a proper honing to get it touched up.

Sorry, I cannot be of any help for soap / cream making, have no experience in that.

+1 on checking out SRD (or even here on SRP in the Classifieds) for a decent Brush.

All the best.

thanks for all the advice yall. I just picked up a silver-tip badger brush on the classifieds, and I'm sure it'll be a world of difference from my cheap boar brush. My newly honed razor should be arriving from SRD soon. Also, where can I buy MAAS?

Dan, I read some of the posts. Be careful when you set down the razor, even a paper towel will work. I was going to tell you, but it seems you already found out, Just send your razor back to SRD. Actually, I think you get the first honing free on their razors.
To keep your razors from rusting, you can use Cemelia oil, available at SRD. It's cheap, and it's good. You can also use Wahl clipper oil, available usually wherever the sell Wahl clippers, Wal Mart, Target, Walgreens. You wipe a really thin coat on the blade after use. I no longer do this with my razors in rotation, as I feel I was just wiping it back off to quickly. I keep 7-9 razors out at a time. You can use a gun cleaning cloth, one treated with silicone or something. After you shave, shake it, Always try to avoid getting water in it, especially around the pivot pin. Let stay out until your done getting ready. Once you are, wipe it down and put it up. It should be good to go.

Oh, MAAS Metal Polish is available on Amazon.com a 4 oz tube in a purple box....