Should You Wet Your Razor Before Shaving?
If you’ve been interested in classic wet shaving for even a hot minute, then you are probably aware that it is also called wet shaving. And for good reason. Water plays an important role in the process throughout your shave. From face prep to brush soak to lather creation, H2O is a primary player in your shaving game.
But maybe you’ve been asking, what about the razor? A metal razor with a metal blade doesn’t usually survive water well. So, what do you do with your razor in this wet shaving game? Do you wet the razor before shaving or not?
Let’s explore some reasons why you should and shouldn’t wet your razor.
Do wet the razor:
- It can be advisable to wet your razor with water/hot water before you begin your shave to warm the cold metal. Taking cold steel to your face isn’t a very appealing prospect so warming the blade with water can mitigate this effect.
- A wet blade can also glide better with your well-hydrated lather
- You will also use water on the blade throughout your shave to rinse the residual lather and clean it when you are done.
Don’t wet the razor:
- However, it is important not to leave your razor wet. If you are done shaving, make sure to dry the razor as much as possible. Some classic wet shavers will even dry the blade on a towel between passes or while they are whipping up and applying more lather (particularly straight razor aficionados). In an interesting conundrum, one key of “wet” shaving is “don’t leave the razor wet”.
- To that end, we also recommend that you don’t leave your safety razor in your shower or in a drawer after use. Investing in a razor stand is a good idea for keeping your utensils in tip-top shape. They are less likely to rust if they are allowed to dry well between uses. Never store a wet razor.
Tools and techniques are the heart of this classic shaving gig. Where do you fall on this question? Do you wet your razor before taking it to your face or not? Let us know in the comments below.
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