3 Ways to Care for Your Razor

There’s a lot of joy to be had in maintaining a fresh shave, or a trimmed beard. While yes, it’s impossible to avoid those times when life gets crazy and neglect sets in, the feeling of straight lines, and clean skin are close to perfection. Not only is a fresh shave something that can invigorate any man, but it can be a powerful way of practicing self-care. For men, the concept of self-care can oftentimes be a little hard to grasp. Not because self-care isn’t masculine, or manly, but simply because there may not be an immediate flood of ideas as to what self-care could look like.

The good news is that when you have a quality straight razor, self-care can look like a clean shave that makes you feel like a new man. Setting aside the time, capacity, and space to not only get a shave in but enjoy it, can be a powerful way to practice self-care on a daily basis. This rhythm can become a sacred space to unplug from the world around you and enjoy taking care of yourself in a way that is meaningful.

If you are one of the millions of men that enjoy a fresh, straight razor shave as often as is humanly possible, then you know the importance of maintaining your blade. If you have been wondering how to level up your straight razor maintenance, here are ___ ideas to try out.

1.   Storage, Storage, Storage

This may seem like a basic point to start out with, but a razor is a tool that needs to be stored in a very specific space. One of the most unpleasant experiences you can have the misfortune of getting when it comes to a straight razor shave is using a dull or damaged blade. There is nothing good about this. Small knicks, razor burn, and uneven cutting can all occur and create more of a headache than it’s worth.

That’s why maintaining your blade’s efficiency is not only the best way to get the most mileage out of your blades – but also the best way to ensure the quality of your shave. Blades are constantly going to acquire either small chips, or grow dull from use, and one way you can avoid big mishaps is through proper storage. Storing your blade somewhere it can rest easy and not be damaged is the first step to taking care of your straight razor.

The first thing you want to ensure when picking out a place to store your razor is that it’s safe from physical damage. This means putting it in a spot that it will avoid being tossed around, or dropped. This oftentimes is best in an enclosed space, whether it’s a shelf or even its own compartment.

The second most important aspect of storage is that you choose a well-ventilated, dry space. Moisture can cause your blade to rust and grow prone to damage which can lead to having to throw it out completely. Protect your blades in a safe, dry, ventilated space. You don’t have to make sure that there is constant airflow, but avoiding a sealed container is ideal.

2.   Always Stroppe Before AND After

Stropping is a technique that is used to maintain the quality of your razor blade. If you have never used a straight razor before, stropping is a simple motion that involves running the edge of your blade along its side on a piece of leather. This specific technique helps the micro teeth that make up the edge of the razor come back into alignment before use. Each razor edge is actually made up of microscopic teeth, and for various reasons, they can become misaligned or bent. Stropping gets the razor as pristinely sharp, and effective as possible.

While a lot of people will strop before a shave to ensure the best possible cut, stropping after your shave before storing your razor is also a good rule to follow. This helps reinforce your razor’s edge quality and ensures that there are no little leftovers from the shave.

3.   Honing Your Straight Razor

In the case that you think the edge needs a little more love than the strop can give, you should hone your razor with a wet stone. This is a simple blade sharpening technique that helps to deep clean the razor’s edge while also increasing its sharpness. This is something that doesn’t need to be done often but can be a great way to get your razor back to feeling fresh and sharp.

Conclusion

Finding ways to maintain the quality of your straight razor not only helps prolong the life of your blade but also can deepen the satisfaction of the entire experience. Maintaining your straight razor is an accomplishment you’ll love to feel, and its reward will always be a fresh, clean, satisfying shave.