Rusty Pivot

[Shaitani]

I recently received my first straight razor (5/8" Dovo Carbon Steel), and I tried shaving for the first time yesterday. After I finished/failed, I tried to dry and clean the thing as carefully and thoroughly as possible. This morning when I pulled out the blade from its plastic box, I noticed that the blade was difficult to pull out of the handle. I also had a hard time just rotating it. I noticed what appeared to be rust residue on the shank and tang. Here is a picture of what I see now:



Do you guys have any idea what I did wrong? and then what I can do to clean this up and make it pivot freely again?

[leighton]

Looks like you got water under the pivot point while shaving. I suggest you squirt some WD40 in there. It'll remove most of the rust over time.

In the future, make sure to keep your hands dry and don't get lather all over your scales. Otherwise, you can just do an alcohol dip to make sure all the water evaporates.

[Fnord5]

+1 to no lather on the scales.
Slick lather=slippery razor.

WD40 for sure, and if the scales are loose enough, take some dental floss and floss the area multiple times.

Although I don't drip into the pivot area (anymore) I still out of habit give a strong quick blow around the pivot, just to dislodge any water.

[PolsBirthday]

Also, for when you're just starting out, keep a hair dryer handy, it will help blow out your scales/pivot point, and can also help dry your blade fairly thoroughly in case you don't like to post-strop.

[Shaitani]

I've gotten a lot of good tips: hair dryer and alcohol to remove water from the pivot (if water drips in); and use floss and wd40 to clean the rust.

Is it safe to put WD40 on the blade if rust stains appear there?
Is it safe to dip the blade onto alcohol to dry it that way?

[mdunn]

WD40 - yes, but give it a good clean before you use it
booze - yep. but be careful not to dunk the scales

[leighton]

I've gotten a lot of good tips: hair dryer and alcohol to remove water from the pivot (if water drips in); and use floss and wd40 to clean the rust.

Is it safe to put WD40 on the blade if rust stains appear there?
Is it safe to dip the blade onto alcohol to dry it that way?

I would not use WD40 on the blade itself. I would use a mild metal polish. Flitz or MAAS or t-wax premium.

[turbine712]

Another idea I use, is a can of computer duster air. I find that I get my razor wet no matter how careful I am. So I keep a can of air their and blow my razor off when I'm done.