Alcohol and Razors

• Alcohol and Razors by Ming the Merciless on 30 Jan, 2011 08:29
• No, I'm not advocating a stiff drink before you shave.
  
  This is still "tentative," as I've really only one data point to go by so far.  That said, there has been mention that blades seem to last longer if quickly dried after use.  Well, I've gotten nearly a month's use out of one blade, and only today did I feel "It's time for a new one."
  
  The technique I've been using?  I mentioned it in another topic a month or so back, but here it is again: I take a capful of 91% isopropyl (rubbing--get this strength) alcohol and suck it up with an ear syringe.  I do my shaving and then, after rinsing the blade, shake off the water and then slowly dribble the alcohol from the syringe over the blade and blade head (over sink, of course), and then shake the alcohol off.  The alcohol remaining evaporates almost at once and the blade is completely dry in a few seconds.
  
  Two caveats:
  
  1.  Maybe I just got a very good blade in this batch, and the alcohol bath has no relation to its lengthy sharpness.
  
  2. At the moment, I'm only shaving the beard, and letting the dome grow to buzz length, so the blade's life has been spent on less shaving than the full treatment of face and dome would provide over the same time.  And my beard is not especially coarse or thick.
  
  Anyway, I'm about to change blades and see if the "booze for blades" method works a second time.
• #1 by D.A.L.U.I. on 30 Jan, 2011 10:02
• I have my 91% in a spray bottle, and although I'm only shaving what hair is left on my head daily, and my neck two or three times a week--I'm getting a month easily, problably could go longer.  It's shaving the beard that really eats blades, at least for me.
• #2 by Magoo on 30 Jan, 2011 12:46
• I also use alcohol and some baby oil , my thought is the oil will prevent any oxidation. I mix them both in a small vial and apply with a Q-tip.
• #3 by Gambrinus on 30 Jan, 2011 16:45
• I have soaked my razors in olive oil with good results, but it's so dang messy.  I could get a couple of months out of a blade.  I only spend a 1.25 per blade so it seemed kind of over kill.  I think I'm worth 5 bucks a month 
• #4 by Paul on 02 Feb, 2011 12:23
• I agree Ming, alcohol is the way to go.  I have been doing the final rinse of my blade in alcohol for some time now and get quite a bit more life out of a blade.   I go an extra step and leave the razor on the heating vent to get it thoroughly dry.