Razors and brushes with wooden handles not only look beautiful but also feel pleasant in the hand. However, to ensure that this high-quality natural material brings long-lasting enjoyment, it requires a bit of care. To preserve the natural surface as much as possible, woods such as olive, ash, or plum are only lightly oiled at the MÜHLE workshop. Over time, water and soap can cause them to become brittle. That’s why they should be re-oiled every three to four weeks, depending on usage. Linseed oil or a special maintenance oil for materials is ideal for this.

Particularly recommended is the universal oil from the heritage South German company Ballistol. The company has extensive experience—after all, it was originally commissioned to develop a care oil for the imperial army that would preserve all parts of a weapon while also treating minor wounds on soldiers and horses. Ballistol succeeded and has not changed its original formula since 1904. To this day, the universal oil is used for a wide variety of materials: it continuously enhances the natural grain of wood, protects metal parts from corrosion, and is especially gentle on the skin.

Anyone using shaving brushes with natural hair should pay attention not only to the handle but especially to the brush head itself. Tips on proper use and care can be found in the separate article on caring for natural hair brushes.

Chrome parts also require a bit of loving care. Limescale deposits should be removed regularly with a soft cloth. Once they harden, they are difficult to remove—and using chemical cleaners risks damaging other materials on the brush or razor.

Good news for those less enthusiastic about upkeep: handles made of porcelain, resin, or sealed wood (e.g. grained beech, ironwood, masur birch) are a great choice. These should also be thoroughly cleaned after each use, but they rarely need extra care. If limescale deposits do appear, a soft cloth will also help preserve the shine of these surfaces.