Where do you keep your safety razor?

I am new to use a safety razor. When using a cartridge razor, I would keep it and shave in the shower. Is this a 'no-no' in the safety razor world? I just don't want to ruin my razor?

 

Welcome to TSD! I have wooden test tube holders. Inexpensive and very practical. You could leave a razor in a medicine cabinet. On top of your bathroom counter.

 

Hello and welcome,

If you're talking about a plated brass razor, as long as it's kept reasonably dry between shaves it will be fine. At worst, water spots will develop on the finish. It would take damage or a manufacturing flaw to cause plating loss/corrosion, but even that would take a long time to begin to show up.

As for myself, I blow water off the edges of the blade but leave it in the razor. The razor stays on the edge of the tub, and that's it.

 

The biggest concern is the development of rust. It tends to form in a damp environment (such as a shower), and usually begins at the blade.
My own personal process is to throughly wash, rinse and dry a razor post-shave, and remove the blade. Continue to air dry on a razor rack or on a dry countertop.
Less likely to build up soap scum or other gunk that will form overtime if left unattended.
Plus I like having a clean fresh razor each time I put it to use.

This ....


or this...

 

To be fair, and assuming the mechanics are sound, that Slim will still shave as intended. I'm NOT saying we should not care for our tools, or that appearance isn't important, nor am I disputing your care procedure. It's just a pretty extreme example to show a new member who wonders about keeping his razor in the shower stall. What happened to that Slim will not happen to any new razor right away and (depending on the razor, how well it was plated, etc) may not ever happen.

 

I keep mine on a stand, on the bathroom counter. My stand even has a mustache. His name is Dandy Dan.
This is what he looks like.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...249278AD0869A7CBDCEEBE10243D5&selectedIndex=0

 

This is what happens when you join TSD. First you're all oh look honey I'm going to save money! Then... your counter starts to get smaller and you have to hang shelves. Welcome to your new acquisition disorder...... I mean welcome to TSD!

 

Sure, I understand the example I used is a bit extreme, but the point was simply to emphasize that moisture does and will cause damage in the long term if care isn't heeded. We don't need to be obsessive about our cleaning procedures, but I personally would consider it a 'no-no' to keep a DE razor in the shower. Obviously, other may disagree and as JoAnna mentions above, if one takes certain steps to ensure air flow, water damage may be avoided.

 

True, and I did forget to mention that I usually leave the doors of my DEs cracked to allow some air flow. Clearly, ventilation wasn't ever a concern with whomever used that Slim...or it had really bad plating...or both (only because I see no typical signs of carbon blade surface rust [stains, really], so I suspect bad plating + many years of poor care).

 

I rinse my razor in rubbing alcohol after I pitch the blade and towel dry it. I have always cleaned my tools.

 

I rinse mine in hot water, shake it off, and hang it in my nifty VDH brush/razor holder.

 

That VDH brush/razor holder is great. I'm looking to get another one without buying the whole kit again.

 

2 Tips .

1. Never, Ever keep your razor enclosed in a bathroom medicine Cabinet.

2. After the final rinse with water Swish the head around or let it sit in some rubbing alcohol for a few seconds. I have yet to have any issues with rust while doing this, and I have a Stainless Steel razor, not to mention a stainless steel handle for my Frankentech. A few bux for a cheap bottle of RA is better than the headache of trying to remove rust form steel.

 

I agree with HolyRollah's post. Though I don't go as far as taking out the blade- unless I'm dealing with carbon steel blades. I would avoid keeping it in the shower. It is a custom I just don't understand- why waste water and have your mirror fog up? My dad is a shower shaver or at least was. I let him borrow one of my razors and the stainless steel blade rusted. It did rust only on the portion that touched pooled up water but I still would avoid it. The effects might not be short term but they will be there.

 

I have both standard single razor & brush racks in the past, as well as stands that hold multiple razors.
Back when I needed multiple stands for DE razors, I tried to remember to leave the TTO razors open to dry. As you can see below in the background of this photo, I sometimes missed a few.


Single razor brush & razor rack...

 

Welcome to the Den.

 

I made my own it is not difficult

 

I only have two right now, so I just keep them on the bathroom sink. I'm thinking about making myself some shelves with some notches to hold razors and brushes though.

 

I believe drying the equipment is key. I suggest that the blade be removed daily after your shave and not replaced until the next time you shave. There are 2 reasons I do this:
1) To prevent or lessen dissimilar metal corrosion caused by having water between the blade and the razor
2) Prevent or lessen micro-corrosion on the blade, especially the edge, formed when it is left wet for a long period of time.