How to look after your razor

Men are very much creatures of habit when it comes to razors. Once a man has found something they like, they tend to stick with it. And while the rise of online shaving subscriptions or relatively inexpensive replaceable blades have made it easy to replace dull blades or razor cartridges, costs mount up over years of shaving. Clearly, maintaining razors is a smart idea; they’ll stay sharper for longer, saving some cash.

Dry blades are happy blades

This is perhaps the most basic but most overlooked tip for maintaining a razor. A wet blade, whether it’s in a cartridge or a cutthroat, is going to result in rust. Run a hairdryer over the blade – or failing that – a towel (taking care not to get the fibres trapped on the blade).

Oil it up

Just like keeping a blade dry, a protective layer of oil on the blade is going to prevent moisture and therefore rust. A little bit of almond or baby oil can lengthen the life of blades. This tip works particularly well with cartridge blades. There are also companies that sell specialised razor oil that not only protects the blades but moisturises the skin.

Use a toothbrush

Blades, especially in cartridges, can get clogged up with shaving cream, hair and other assorted debris – and this easily dulls a blade. By giving the blades a once over with an old toothbrush and a little dish soap, it’s possible to deep clean the blades better than a quick rinse under a cold tap.

Don’t forget to moisturise

Moisturised skin and hair makes for an easier shave, as it’s not clogging the blade with excess dead skin. Don’t be afraid of lotion! It’ll make skin look younger and coupled with a decent shaving gel, will add a layer of lubrication to the blades of the razor that gives a smooth shave every time.

Keep ’em sharp!

And finally, dull blades make for bad shaves. For those using a straight men’s razor set, use a strop to sharpen the blade and clean off any gunk – and for even your old disposables, there’s the old blue jeans trick of running the blades down the inside leg of an old pair of Levis.

These maintenance tips work best on a much better-quality blade. For award-winning quality and to keep them in the best condition for longer, check out the product page!

The editorial unit