Treating Blades

**Taz** · 02-20-2007, 03:01 PM

Started using STR8 picked up three of them I will not be using the much days off and when extra time permits especially at first when I am learning. Should I treat the blades with anything to keep them looking great IE mineral oil.

**19george** · 02-20-2007, 07:22 PM

I think the conventional wisdom on this is that if your going to be storing your razors away for a while you should put some mineral oil or Tuf Cloth or something similar to it. Otherwise don't bother. I have a number of straights some of them don't see use for weeks at a time, and I have not had any problems with them. Just make sure that the blade (as well as the scales) are completely dry after your finished using it.

**Steelforge** · 02-20-2007, 10:34 PM

I left a Dovo on a stand in the bathroom for a few days once and it started picking up a few tiny rust spots due to the humidity in the air.

These days I just wipe mine down then store them somewhere warm and dry in a canvas tool roll. In fact next to the bathroom in my house is an airing cupboard where the hot water tank lives, where we store the towels/bedding etc. This is perfect for my razors, brushes too actually.

**randydance062449** · 02-21-2007, 12:46 AM

Definitely dry the razors after shaving. That is the most important step. Then I put a light coat of oil on the razor.

Works for me!

**The Invisible Edge** · 02-21-2007, 09:06 AM

Maybe this should be a new post but this is associated. I agree with the mineral oil thing if you're storing for a long while but i have dozens of razors that are stored dry and they're fine - except for one. It's an ancient DublDuck Satinwedge and apparently its only purpose is to return to the iron ore from whence it came. I even tried drying it thoroughly with a hair dryer so there was no trace of moisture. Next day it looked like a disc brake that had been left out in the rain - you know, that film of light rust that just wipes off? If anyone can suggest why this is I'd be obliged.I have to keep it oiled at all times just so it doesn't crumble away!

**Thebigspendur** · 02-21-2007, 09:15 AM

If you use the razors every few days I don't see a need to treat them but if your going a week or more I would. Rust can start to form very rapidly. Its actually there way before you can see it. On an untreated carbon steel blade after use the rust starts to forms within hours.

As far as the Satinwedge goes you probably have some corrosion there and the rust has settled into those areas and once it starts it acts like a cancer. I have a revisor that has one small area that has some corrosion on it and I can polish out that area and treat it but a few days later the rust is back. The only solution for that is to grind out that area until its completely clean.

**The Invisible Edge** · 02-22-2007, 11:51 AM

Thanks for that. I was beginning to think the darned thing was hexed or something!

**mparker762** · 02-22-2007, 12:36 PM

Does the satinwedge have the "cracked ice" celluloid scales? These have been known to decompose and give off corrosive vapor.

**netsurfr** · 02-22-2007, 01:35 PM

I put Camelia oil (used on swords) on my razors after each use. I may be overly paranoid but after seeing some rust begin to form on my razors (even tho I wiped them dry), I just make it a regular practice to use a cloth that has some of the oil in it. Then I clean the oil off with a bit of alcohol before doing the stropping before a shave.

**The Invisible Edge** · 02-23-2007, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by mparker762

Does the satinwedge have the "cracked ice" celluloid scales? These have been known to decompose and give off corrosive vapor.

No, these are clear celluloid but do have some internal crazing. I've heard about the decomposition of celluloid - I'm keeping it in solitary for now! Any idea if there is a 'lifespan' for celluloid - I think this razor is about 1890-ish (based on the looks and what the seller said).