I've just started wet shaving a month or so ago and I'm using a Merkur 180. Unfortunately I have hardish water and it deposits form on the razor. So far I've been trying to clean the razor with a towel whenever I change the blade which is currently every 3 days. But I'm wondering if there is a better way.
There is no need to clean the DE razor every time,the chrome of modern razor is very durable By no fear once in a while you can use alcohol 75-93 of ever 95 and something more effective: vinegar I grow up in the country,we had the same problem with water.
I keep a screw top jar of barbicide on my shaving shelf. After I rinse the razor I soak it in the barbicide for a 1 minute while brush teeth, etc... Then I take it out to dry for the next day. I am not worried about getting an infection from myself, but it does keep the deposits from building up. I have tried using the alcohol instead, but then the razor gets a white film after a while. With barbicide it doesn't. I picked up a bottle years ago and just mix enough to soak the razor in and I don't change it until it needs changed.
Both are good methods to keep it clean. Another point is to daily (after shaving) dip the head and shake it off with 91% or better isopropyl alcohol which will dry off water from the razor and blade.
I agree. Especially TTOs where it's almost impossible to towel dry. The alcohol displaces the water and when the alcohol evaporates, the razor is dry.
Thank you for the ideas. I'll try alcohol tomorrow and if that isn't enough I'll pick up some barbicide. Nice to have a forum that gets good responses so quickly.
Razobrite Bath and Barbicide. The Razobrite Baths are vintage items from the 1930's and can be found on Ebay for $10-30. I paid about fifteen for mine and three days later saw one sell for nine dollars. Mine was in mint condition and had been buried in someone's backyard for 50+ years.
What do you do with the Razobrite, fill it with Barbicide and insert head for an overnight dunk? Or do you use it to make a quick whirlpool tub for the razor? I see one on eBay right now with a vintage Gillette Razor. I would bid, but I promised wife no more shaving goodies before Xmas. My bet is she is thinking of buying me some shaving gear for Xmas. When I was looking for the Razobrite on ebay I stumbled onto something that initially scared me. Then just made me say WTF? I had to research it a little to make sure it was real. And it's not a joke. I'm sure many of you have seen or heard of it, but it's a first for me... A Goateesaver http://www.ebay.com/itm/Goatee-Save...&otn=2&po=LVI&ps=63&clkid=4623888355762688116. I just cannot figure out why anyone would buy one. But then I thought of the snuggie. That gift that everybody loves to hate but 75% of the public seem to covet. Maybe the Goateesaver guys are on to something??? Oh crap, I bet my wife saw a Goateesaver and that's what she'll get me for Xmas... How would I act like I like that gift. And man that would ruin Xmas for my son who’s 2 1/2 and my daughter who's 10 months. I'm sure them seeing me with that in my mouth would definitely fill some diapers.
Re: Razobrite. It is smaller than it appears. it has a hole in the top where the handle sticks out. I leave it soaking in barbicide overnight, same as the barbers do with their combs and scissors. but it is personal choice. My best friend swishes his in 91% or better isopropyl alcohol, then opens his razor up, drys it, removes the blade, drys the blade and returns the blade to the wax paper wrapper for the next day. I tell him he's a bit OCD about his shaving. Re: Goateesaver. Another classic one-day wonder on the "AS SEEN ON T.V." infomercial channel. For the guys that shave with five-bladed monsters it "might" come in handy. For a classic DE or single edge shaver, it is unnecessary (because we can get a nice crisp edge on the goatee; it's one of the many benefits of using a single blade). For the straight razor shaver, it's the gift he sends to his other straight razor buddies as a joke. (An experienced straight razor user can go from shaving a swath of face to severing individual hairs any time he wants.) To be perfectly honest, I think it is a gimmick that will appeal to the lazy shaver who won't spend any time on his shave.
Re: Re: Goateesaver. I may need to see if I can pickup one cheap for the start of a good Syfi costume for next halloween.
It does kind of look like the mouthpiece of the helmet Princess Leia wore in Return of the Jedi when she was disguised as a bounty hunter in Jabba's palace.
I have very hard water as well. I just usually give them a tooth brushing with soap every month. Other than that a rinse and a wipe with a cloth works well on the weekly basis.
