Maintaining Your Gear
How to make a brush last 10 years and a razor last forever. Drying, blade rotation, soap storage.
Razors
A DE razor has no consumables except the blade. Treated decently, a Merkur or Rockwell lasts 30+ years.
After every shave: rinse hot water through the head with the blade still in. Shake off. Stand on a towel to dry.
Once a week: take the head apart (three-piece pulls into top cap, base plate, handle). Brush soap residue out with an old toothbrush. Rinse. Dry. Reassemble.
Once a year: dab a tiny amount of light mineral oil on the threads of the handle. Reassemble. Wipe excess off. Done.
What kills razors: leaving water trapped in the threads or under a stuck blade. Corrosion starts in those crevices and works outward.
Blades
Blades are the consumable. Track them.
- Astra, Personna, Wilkinson Sword: 5-7 shaves
- Feather: 3-5 shaves (very sharp, dulls fast)
- Voskhod, 7 O’Clock: 5-8 shaves
Write the date you opened the blade on the back of the wrapper. When it starts dragging, it’s done. Fresh blades cut so easily you’ll forget they’re there.
Disposing: a blade bank or empty soda can with a slit cut in the top. Drop used blades in. Recycle the metal at the end of the year. Don’t leave loose blades in trash bags.
Brushes
Brushes are where most beginners lose money, by treating them carelessly.
Daily: rinse hot water through the knot until the water runs clear. Squeeze gently from base to tip. Shake once. Stand bristles-down in a stand or against a wall.
Weekly (if you can): leave the brush completely dry for 24 hours. This is why rotating two brushes is recommended, one shaves while the other fully dries. Brushes used daily without full drying develop a sour mildew smell over months.
Once a month (badger and boar only): a vinegar rinse. Soak the bristles for 5 minutes in 1:3 white vinegar to water. Rinse thoroughly. Removes mineral build-up from hard water. Synthetics don’t need this.
Don’t: dunk in boiling water (softens the glue plug), bend the bristles backward, store wet in a closed cup, share with someone who has a beard infection.
Soap
Hard soaps (Stirling, MSC, B&M Reserve) need essentially zero maintenance. Just keep them dry between uses, the lid serves this purpose. If a soap dries out completely, drop a teaspoon of warm water on top for 60 seconds before loading.
Soft soaps and creams (Proraso, Wholly Kaw): keep the lid sealed. They dry out faster than hard pucks.
A typical 4 oz tub of artisan soap = 50-100 shaves. Worth doing the math: that’s $0.13 - $0.26 per shave on the high end.
Aftershave splashes
Alcohol-based splashes don’t really go bad, the alcohol prevents microbial growth. But the scent does fade. Most splashes are at peak for 1-2 years after opening. Keep them out of direct sunlight and you’ll get the most life.
Travel
Pack a hard case for the razor. A soft pouch is fine for the brush (only if it’s fully dry, otherwise mildew). Pre-load a sample tub with enough soap for the trip rather than packing a full puck.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean and store a double-edge razor?
Rinse hot water through the head after every shave with the blade still in, shake it off, and stand it on a towel to dry. Once a week take a three-piece head apart and brush the soap residue out with an old toothbrush. Once a year put a little light mineral oil on the handle threads. What actually kills razors is water trapped in the threads or under a stuck blade.
How many shaves does a double-edge blade last?
It depends on the blade and your beard. Astra, Personna and Wilkinson Sword typically give five to seven shaves, Voskhod and 7 O’Clock five to eight, and Feather three to five because it is very sharp and dulls faster. Write the date you opened the blade on the wrapper, and replace it once it starts to drag.
How should I dispose of used razor blades?
Into a blade bank, or an empty soda can with a slit cut in the top. Drop the used blades in and recycle the metal at the end of the year. Never put loose blades in a trash bag, where they are a hazard to whoever handles it.
How long does a tub of shaving soap last?
A typical four ounce tub of artisan soap gives 50 to 100 shaves, which works out at roughly 13 to 26 cents a shave. Hard soaps need almost no maintenance beyond keeping the lid on; soft soaps and creams dry out faster, so keep those sealed.
Replacement blades, brush stands, and care kits at The Wet Shaving Store →