How to keep your straight in between shaves

**skacj7** · 01-02-2012, 05:44 PM

Not sure if this is the right area of the forum to pose this questions, but I have always kept my straight razors in my bedroom in between shaves (dried and stropped). I recently received a very nice stand to hold my brush and straight in my bathroom. Is it a bad idea to keep my straight in the bathroom where multiple showers are taken each day in? The straight I use the most often is a Dovo carbon steel and I wasn't sure if the moisture in the bathroom will impact the blade.

Also, should I put some kind of oil on my blades in between uses, as well (regardless if kept in bathroom or somewhere else)?

**DFSDAILY** · 01-02-2012, 05:50 PM

I think it's a bad idea to keep your razor in a high humidity area, as carbon blades can start rusting within hours. You can oil it but if it stays in the bathroom and you shave after a shower and then oil it, your sealing in moisture and guaranteing problems.

**Legion** · 01-02-2012, 06:09 PM

It's probably not a good idea, especially if you have several razors and they do not get used every day, Your bedroom is a safer bet.

To oil or not to oil is one of those questions that keeps coming up. Lots of people don't and are fine, some oil their razor even if it gets used daily. It really depends on the RH where the razor is stored, and the air.

I live near the sea, so I do oil my blades if they are not going to see action for more than a week. It doesn't take much time, so why not?

**skacj7** · 01-02-2012, 06:10 PM

Thanks guys. If I was to oil, what type of oil should I use?

**Legion** · 01-02-2012, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by skacj7

Thanks guys. If I was to oil, what type of oil should I use?

There are several options, but plain mineral oil is traditional, and effective, and easy to get, and cheap.

**Kentos** · 01-02-2012, 11:25 PM

I am reaaaallyyy tempted to try one of these abura tsubo(oil pot)

http://www.fine-tools.com/G-applikationsflasche.html

**Legion** · 01-02-2012, 11:33 PM

Originally Posted by Kentos

I am reaaaallyyy tempted to try one of these abura tsubo(oil pot)

http://www.fine-tools.com/G-applikationsflasche.html

Sure, why not? It actually looks like an easy thing to make.

**Kentos** · 01-03-2012, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by legion

Sure, why not? It actually looks like an easy thing to make.

Aye, just wondering on what to use for the part to apply the oil. I'll try a few things and post back.

**Legion** · 01-03-2012, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by Kentos

Aye, just wondering on what to use for the part to apply the oil. I'll try a few things and post back.

Go get some felt. Fold or roll it. An old felt typewriter mat would be perfect. You could just cut a chunk out of one of those.

**trick420** · 01-03-2012, 08:55 AM

I keep my straights in my medicine cabinet, however, I also keep a block of camphor next to them to prevent rust. I do not store damp brushes in there though. The brush of the day sits on the counter top until it is completely dry before getting stored near the razors.

Camphor seems to work really well, and I don't have to coat my blades with anything. So far so good.

**Snuff-Belgium** · 01-03-2012, 09:05 AM

I use baby oil or gun oil and store them in a razor roll, they are in the bathroom.

**skacj7** · 01-03-2012, 10:34 AM

Thank you for the suggestions fellas. Using camphor is an interesting idea. Not sure if it is common among straight users. I am relatively new to the straight razor world, but I never heard of using it. I will definitely try some of these methods.

**MajorBurnz** · 01-03-2012, 10:48 AM

I think this depends on the ventilation in your bathroom and where in the bathroom you store it.

Storing it on a stand next to the sink could be a bad idea - every time someone uses the sink (many more times a day than people have baths) your razor could be exposed to water.

However, I store my 'currently used' razors in the linen closet in the bathroom. I have done so for months without any edge deterioration, or any rust buildup. I keep a 20x loupe in the closet too, and I'll frequently examine the razors before I use them. At that magnification, I've see no deterioration over time.

Our bathroom is very well ventilated, and the door is always open when it's not in use. Weather permitting, the windows are also open, and we have a powerful exhaust fan.

I'm not going to state that anyone else should do this; all I'm saying is that under these conditions, the 6 straights I store in that closet have not had any issues.

NOTE: I'll occasionally oil the razors after I'm done using them. I also strop on linen and leather before and after each shave.

**trick420** · 01-03-2012, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by skacj7

Thank you for the suggestions fellas. Using camphor is an interesting idea. Not sure if it is common among straight users. I am relatively new to the straight razor world, but I never heard of using it. I will definitely try some of these methods.

Camphor has been used for rust prevention for ages. I think the issue now is that it's harder to get - used to be able to get it in any pharmacy and it was cheap. I have a box of camphor cakes that are individually wrapped that my dad (begrudgingly) gave to me. They're commonly used in tool and gun cabinets as rust preventative.

Might check on ebay and see if you can get some there.

**skacj7** · 01-03-2012, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by trick420

Camphor has been used for rust prevention for ages. I think the issue now is that it's harder to get - used to be able to get it in any pharmacy and it was cheap. I have a box of camphor cakes that are individually wrapped that my dad (begrudgingly) gave to me. They're commonly used in tool and gun cabinets as rust preventative.

Might check on ebay and see if you can get some there.

Great thanks for the heads up. I actually checked amazon and some vendors seem to carry it, as well.

**trick420** · 01-03-2012, 11:00 AM

Ebay has them in larger bulk - 64 1 oz blocks for $11.99 just search keyword camphor block. At that price, I may get a box and put them everywhere I have tools and razors...

**Kentos** · 01-03-2012, 09:11 PM

How does the camphor smell? Isn't it what mothballs are made of?

**trick420** · 01-03-2012, 09:25 PM

Smells like vicks vapo-rub! But, if you only poke a bunch of pin-holes in the wrapper instead of completely opening it, it will last a very long time and you will likely never smell it.

**Kentos** · 01-03-2012, 09:40 PM

Ah ok. I not really a fan of old man mothball smell, but vicks vapor rub I can handle.

**trick420** · 01-04-2012, 06:28 AM

Camphor is an ingredient in mothballs, but not the only one. Mothballs are disgusting smelling. I opened my cabinet last night and just caught a faint whiff of vapo-rub. Frankly, there's a real bottle of vapo-rub in there, so who knows which one I was really smelling?