This works wonders for preservation (both sharpness and rust). You can also sharpen them by running it backwards on an old strip of denim a few times before each shave.
And how did you keep the blades from being clogged up with hair? Usually, they just stick in there, even if I try wiping them off before they get to that point.
Run hot water through both ways (flip the razor while rinsing). Hold the razor at an angle, so that the water runs straight through the blades. Do this after every 2-4 strokes to prevent hair build up, and give you a nice warm, clean razor each time it touches your face. (Mach 3 user for as long as I can remember.)