Every razor I sell leaves the bench honed, stropped and sanitised. Keeping it that way doesn’t take much: a strop, a towel and a few habits. These are the ones I’d suggest.
Before each shave: strop
Stropping realigns the edge and keeps it smooth between honings. Lay the razor flat on the leather, spine leading and edge trailing, and draw it towards you with light pressure. At the end of each stroke, roll it over on its spine, never on its edge, and draw it back the other way. A few dozen laps before each shave is plenty.
Never strop edge-first. That cuts the leather and dulls the razor.
After each shave: dry it properly
Most vintage razors are carbon steel, which rusts if it’s left wet. Rinse the blade, dry it carefully with a towel, wiping from the spine towards the edge, and leave it open for a while so any water between the scales can dry before you close it.
Keep the scales out of water as much as you can. Horn and celluloid don’t like soaking, and celluloid can deteriorate if it’s shut away damp.
Storing it
A steamy bathroom is hard on carbon steel. If you can, keep the razor somewhere dry. If it won’t be used for a while, wipe a light coat of oil over the blade first. Camellia oil or mineral oil both work.
Handling it
Don’t let the edge touch anything but your face and the strop. Open and close the razor slowly, holding the tang, so the edge never strikes the scales. That matters most on older razors whose scales have a slight warp.
When it needs honing
With regular stropping, a good edge lasts a long time. When stropping no longer brings back a smooth, comfortable shave, the razor needs a touch-up on a hone. I offer touch-up honing for any razor, bought here or not. See the honing options or email me to arrange it.
And if you’re ever not happy with the shave from a razor you bought from me, tell me. I’ll help put it right, free of charge.