Make Your Own Razor and Shaving Brush Stand

 by TricksyHobbit
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This instructable will show you how you can make your own razor and shaving brush stand using items that are probably already in your house.

Tools required:

Pair of pliers (preferably something hefty, like linesman pliers)
Large cylinder (I used a small mason jar)
Small cylinder (I used a battery, a pill bottle also works well)

Material:

Wire coat hanger

Note: The first picture you see here is the prototype that I made before documenting the project. The second picture is the finished-except-for-paint one that I made for this Instructable. The picture of the second final product was taken on an uneven surface. It is not tilted, the surface is. I also ended up moving the brush and razor holder in closer to the center upright. The shaving equipment that I made it for required it to be more centered due to it being heavier than my test equipment (my stuff is lighter, so didn't have a problem). As always, your mileage may vary and please see the notes on the appropriate steps about centering for weight.
 
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Step 1: Prepare the Coat Hanger

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The first thing you need to do is unwrap the coat hanger near the hook. Take your pliers, and grip the wrap at the top across both pieces of wire. You can unwrap this by turning the pliers in the opposite direction of the wrap.

Once you have the wire unwrapped, straighten the first bend on the end of the wire without the hanging hook. You will actually not use the hook for anything, discarding or saving it at the end of the project. The easiest way to straight the bend is to put the pliers on the side of the bend closest to the twisted end and use your hand to straighten the wire.

You will need to straighten the wire as you go, but in this case we have only straightened the first section we will be using. In further steps, straight the wire as needed.
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timburns says: Jun 27, 2010. 4:27 PM
I tightened up the razor loop into more like a rectangle to store my straight razor. The design is perfectly simplistic and looks great. I like it more than a professional one because I know what went into constructed it, a feeling of accomplishment. Thanks TricksyHobbit!
hyzerflip in reply to timburnsJul 17, 2011. 12:04 PM
I did basically this I think.

I also made my brush holder adjustable (as the two brushes I have are shaped nothing alike!)

I like that it can hold EVERYTHING I use (different razors, different brushes) and it cost me...nothing really. I had everything on hand.

I was self sufficient for real after checking out these pics.

I also made the bottom a bit different (like a semi circle) and I made the middle post in 3 bends not 2. I made clearance for a soap mug under the brush!
oakback says: Jan 18, 2011. 11:45 AM
I used this instructable to make my stand, thanks! I made one change, I didn't like having to grab the head of the razor (double edge safety type), I undoubtedly would have ended up slicing my fingers. So I modified it a bit, made the razor side into a U shape, so I can slice it in and out by the handle. Still haven't painted it yet though so no pics, waiting for a day that's warm enough and not too humid.
oakback in reply to oakbackJan 18, 2011. 11:46 AM
edit: so I can SLIDE it in and out by the handel
hyzerflip in reply to oakbackJul 17, 2011. 12:01 PM
I did the difference between the original and yours I guess. I made my brush stand an adjustable version (just more metal wrapping around the brush) as well.

I don't have my DE yet (just ordered a 40's style SS) but I forsaw the same problem.

The only paint I could find was a can of Plasti-Dip I never ended up using...I've got 3 coats on right now...Might give it one or two more...Looks good for something I've made.
joneill says: Sep 4, 2009. 4:01 AM
I just began shaving again with a safety razor and shaving brush, after over 40 years. Taken me about a week to remember all the old tricks, but have really learned to enjoy it. I was going to have a friend with woodworking abilities make me a nice wooden stand, until I happened upon this great website. Took me about a 1/2 hour, plus twice that long to tweak it but it came out great. Really a nice simple project with great satisfaction. Now to finish it off with a nice paint job....
saini_madhur says: Aug 9, 2009. 9:42 PM
neat looking project. loved it
jcqueen says: Aug 5, 2009. 1:52 PM
Awesome project, Hobbit-dude. I built my stand a couple of days ago, and it works great. Shaving stands are horrendously expensive (especially considering that they're only slightly specialized toothbrush holders), so it's nice to be able to put off that expense for awhile. In the meantime this stand is pretty much free, and it has a nice, rustic, masculine look about it. Thanks for sharing your ingenuity.
chlsmith says: Mar 29, 2009. 12:49 PM
Good idea! I've been looking for one of these and they cost $20 at a minimum, for a basic stainless steel model! Mine may not be that nice looking, but it does the job.
vitruvian8807 says: Jan 30, 2008. 11:15 AM
So, why would you need a brush? I mean, who uses a brush and why? I either use a razor and shaving gel, or one of those Norelco Speed XL shavers.
HAL 9000 in reply to vitruvian8807Feb 17, 2009. 9:48 PM
In my limited experience in wetshaving i have noticed that using a brush, aside from being necessary to get the hard soap into a lather, is that it is a lot of fun and feels really nice. yeah, the soaps also work better and smell a lot nicer , and are usually a lot more inexpensive than canned gels, but i like the old school vibe of having a collection of tools to shave with rather than a can of shaving cream and a mach 3...
bscouter in reply to vitruvian8807Mar 14, 2008. 8:10 PM
A brush ex-foliates the dry skin and brings the hairs on your face up allowing for a better, closer shave, so I have read, as for gels, and creams, they contain propellants, and alcohol that can dry your skin out, putting anything on your face with your hands can push the hairs, down. I have recently started using a brush and a cut-throat (straight razor), and that is the closest shave I have ever gotten, and let my tell you a warm shave in morning does wonders for waking you up, of course having a very sharp unguarded blade heading towards your neck doesn't hurt either....
milokp in reply to vitruvian8807Mar 1, 2008. 10:53 AM
Shaving gel doesn't need a brush because it's already in a mixed liquid state. Shaving soaps, however, come in a solid form (like a hand soap), and need to be mixed with water to produce a rich, full lather. I won't argue the relative virtues of soap vs caned gels, other then to say that I prefer the soaps. The brush is also useful in applying the lather (from either gel or soap) to your face.
its a lion in reply to vitruvian8807Jan 30, 2008. 1:34 PM
Or you are like me and allergic to the propellant used in canned shaving cream and gel. I unfortunately recently realized this when I was without shaving cream for a little while and had to use soap instead... Bad razor burn, but I did not break out.
TricksyHobbit (author) in reply to vitruvian8807Jan 30, 2008. 12:50 PM
You don't "need" a brush, unless you're going to shave with shaving soap or cream that requires it. This would be an accessory for traditional wetshaving.
HAL 9000 says: Feb 17, 2009. 9:39 PM
great, i've been thinking about making a stand for my newly acquired Wetshaving kit (i have the same brush!), and this should do fine untill i get the materials/idea/skills to make another. great pictures, great project.
lovedezign says: Oct 26, 2008. 8:56 AM
Thanks !! I just finished mine....And I hope t will be useful :) I love your lo-fi project.
Smike says: Oct 21, 2008. 5:15 PM
BTW www.badgerandblade.com has all of the information you ever need about wet shaving. To start go with a Weishi and Feathers
Smike says: Oct 21, 2008. 5:14 PM
Been looking for a unique holder. I made it in 8 minutes. Cool!
its a lion says: Jan 17, 2008. 9:52 PM
Where did you get your razor and brush from? I would love to try wetshaving, but I don't know any sites to get the stuff from. Plus I don't want to spend too much on it. Oh, and nice iBle.
philles in reply to its a lionOct 1, 2008. 3:39 PM
You can get a brush at Walmart for under $5.00. The old-fashioned razor is another story!
bscouter in reply to its a lionMar 14, 2008. 8:27 PM
There are several website available for brushes, and razors, ebay is good for a cheaply priced straight razor and brush, there are also other sites like www.theartofshaving.com www.classicshaving.com/Home.html www.amazon.com
bujo0 in reply to its a lionJan 30, 2008. 11:59 AM
you can get a cheap brush at any drug store, even mug shaving foam, its easy to find, but not very nice to shave with, it dries fast and the brush loses to much hair
its a lion in reply to bujo0Jan 30, 2008. 1:35 PM
I got a nice one. Just came in yesterday actually. But I looked at every drug store around here, and none of them had one.
bujo0 in reply to its a lionJan 30, 2008. 2:07 PM
odd, i see them in every one, even our little crappy ones carry shaving brushes, maybe it cause i'm from a small town?
cleeshay in reply to its a lionJan 24, 2008. 7:58 PM
A good place to start is classicshaving.com. They will have everything you need. For some good insight into wet shaving, search You Tube for wet shaving. Great vids explaining all.
its a lion in reply to cleeshayJan 24, 2008. 8:03 PM
I joined Badger and Blade, and asked about it there. They pointed me to the Crabtree and Evelyn Best Badger Brush (just shipped today, and I can't wait for it to get here). I am holding off on the razor for a little while since my fusion's blade is still good. The blades cost too much for me to just quit using it like that. I don't want to spoil myself before getting the full life out of it. I have been to that website before though, and they definitely did have everything I would need. Plus some.
its a lion in reply to its a lionJan 24, 2008. 8:04 PM
Oh, and I watched a few of those vids on there. They were very informative. I'm going to have to watch them again though so I can figure out how to get a good lather with the brush.
TricksyHobbit (author) in reply to its a lionJan 18, 2008. 7:02 AM
The brush I bought from drugstore.com, it's a Tweezerman ($15). The razor, however, is not available new anymore. It's a Schick E Series injector, from 1939. I got it on Ebay.
kc2dpt says: Feb 24, 2008. 5:14 PM
I just made one today. Very nice instructable. Mine came out pretty good I think. I had to change up the shaver holder for a Mach 3 handle - it's round up until the head where it goes flat. So what happened was it would want to twist into the triangle and drop through. I changed it from the triangle to more of a house shape and then angled it down to encourage the blade to sit solidly. Also, I used a hanger that was already painted but that resulted in paint flakes coming off at every bend. Anyway, just wanted to share my ups and downs. Again, great instructable. I'm very happy with my new stand. I just got a nice badger brush for a gift so I wanted to store it properly. So thanks. :)
TricksyHobbit (author) in reply to kc2dptFeb 25, 2008. 10:02 AM
Great! I'm glad people are actually using this instructable. I thought about using a pre-painted one, but I imagined that it would flake at the bends (exactly what happened). Glad that you're happy with it, and glad that you got a nice brush! I love my badger brush.
nickyspaghetti says: Feb 21, 2008. 11:16 AM
It continues to surprise me how ignorant people can be about shaving. Do people really buy into the cartridge razor thing so easily. I shave with a cut throat - a way better shave cheaper and less wasteful. Maybe I should do an instructable on it
TricksyHobbit (author) in reply to nickyspaghettiFeb 21, 2008. 3:34 PM
Why not? I know that Mantic has great videos on youtube on traditional wetshaving. Why not a "how to shave with a cut throat (without cutting your throat)" instructable.
jaysbob says: Jan 30, 2008. 4:48 PM
hopefully this doesn't sound too snide but those "retro" safety razors aren't good for much more than cutting up your face while trying to get a decent shave. I will admit wet shaving is nice but its not really convenient to spend an extra 5 minutes getting everything out and then cleaned up afterwards. regardless, well made and well photographed instructable.
awesomerobot in reply to jaysbobFeb 6, 2008. 6:26 PM
You could not be more wrong - I use a 50's Gillette safety razor and it's the best shave I've ever had, hands down. I can get 100 blades for 16$ - thus making the cheapest shave ever as well.
TricksyHobbit (author) in reply to jaysbobJan 30, 2008. 7:29 PM
I wouldn't say that it sounds snide, but it's certainly uninformed. Safety razors, the good ones, can be better for shaving than the multi-blades that are being touted.
bedbugg2 says: Jan 30, 2008. 10:43 AM
but he used a cutthroat razor
bedbugg2 says: Jan 30, 2008. 10:42 AM
sweeny todd...lol
theRIAA says: Jan 26, 2008. 12:33 PM
i just put 4 nails into my bathroom shelf, and covered them with heat shrink...
TricksyHobbit (author) in reply to theRIAAOct 20, 2009. 11:13 AM
Sure, that would work. But this is for making a free-standing stand, for those who want one. I appreciate the "keep is simple" approach, but this is a little more than that.
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