[BS Beef]

I get a straight razor shave on rare occasion and the barber who does it pointed out it's not the shaving/whiskers that do the damage it's the rust. So for the past year or so I dry my razor after shaving with a standard hair dryer. Give me a month of trying this and I guarantee you'll notice a huge difference and your blades will last MUCH longer.

I just saved you a lot of money. I'm going to pull this thread back open in a month to read all the thanks I'm given We can figure out where to meet for you to buy me a beer for this advise

Ok, your Mrs' will laugh at you a bit but I promise it will work for you.

[joerocker]

Or...only shave right after a shower when your beard is warm and soft. I notice a HUGE difference between that and a "cold" shave in the middle of the day. I guess there's a reason barbers wrapped you in a hot steamy towel first.

I let mine air dry and it lasts for months.

[Shimpy]

The way I see it your barbers straight razor is carbon steel which is required to take and hold an edge and will rust very easily. Your razors are stainless steel which won't rust as readily but won't get as sharp nor hold an edge as carbon steel. I can't see what using a hair dryer will do to help stainless blades.

[onslowe]

I remember years ago reading a piece in a men's magazine - maybe Esquire - containing advice from an anonymous BIC executive. He said using that shower cleaner, 409, on the various 'disposable' blades will extend their life by big margins. Of course, he was anonymous. LOL.

I use Gillette Atra and air dry them, and occasionally give them a spray with 409.