What am I doing wrong?

**Redstar** · 06-24-2012, 09:28 AM

I've only had this Dovo for a month or so and it's already getting a "patina". Here's How I currently take care of it post shave:

1- I rinse only the blade under warm water (not the scales).
2- I carefully dry the blade from heel to point and then the tang.
3- I strop it 10 times on canvas, then 25 times on leather.
4- I give it a thorough polish with a towel from spine to edge to remove all the water spots, streaks, fingerprints, etc.
5- Lastly, I place in in my razor/brush stand

Also, I have let my razor sit for up to four days while I use a safety razor if I'm in a hurry. Today, after I shaved, I took a q-tip and wiped the inside of the scales and some black residue came off. Is it necessary to clean inside the scales often? Is this the cause of the dark spots on my blade (though they don't wipe off the blade with a towel). Thanks for the help and advice, guys.

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**smalltank** · 06-24-2012, 09:31 AM

water can build up inside the scales and get on your razor if not cleaned....do you store your razor in the bathroom..I have found this leads to "oxidation"..so I put mine in a drawer in my bedroom..is your razor new or NOS?..new old stock?...call Dovo and see if they can help with this issue..I have noticed a few razors with some QC issues..but this one is new to me.

**Redstar** · 06-24-2012, 11:10 AM

Ya, I keep it in my bathroom on a shelf. I don't have a big problem with moisture, though, as we keep an open window during non winter months. The razor should be new, I bought it at Vintage Blades and it was listed as new. Thanks for the advice, Smalltank.

**Doc226** · 06-24-2012, 06:00 PM

Get some silicone sleeves from the superior shave.

**Redstar** · 06-24-2012, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Doc226

Get some silicone sleeves from the superior shave.

Ah, thanks. I just ordered one with no qualms since I'll be storing the Dovo for awhile as I use the one you've fixed up for me. Thanks for yet another good recommendation!

**Wid** · 06-24-2012, 07:27 PM

Store it in a dry place, not in the bathroom. When rinsing use VERY HOT water then a spray with alcohol on the blade and in the pivot area. After that use toilet tissue to dry blade and inside the scales. Leave it blade open for a few hours before folding it up for storage.

Dovo will be of no help, it is user error.

**Slash McCoy** · 06-24-2012, 11:06 PM

The spots should polish off with some 1u diamond paste rubbed with a piece of an old tshirt. With care, you can keep pretty much all of your engraving intact.

**Krodor** · 06-25-2012, 06:36 AM

As for the black on the q-tip...I bet that is just a result of the fact you've got ebony scales, no? I don't have that razor, so I don't know how it is sealed, but it might be just a bit of ebony stuff.

And a word on the alcohol as part of the cleanup: careful if scales are sealed with shellac, alcohol is a shellac solvent...moreso with denatured stuff, but I think even isopropyl can get you in trouble.

**drathgeb** · 06-26-2012, 09:35 PM

I always dry inside of scales with a piece of toilet paper after every shave.

**Redstar** · 06-27-2012, 06:04 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I was at a complete loss! I really thought I was being thorough. I'll try them all and see how it helps.

**fccexpert** · 06-29-2012, 08:44 AM

Carbon steel exposed to air will eventually develop a gray patina. This layer of oxide is actually protective so I just let it happen. If, for asthetic reasons, you do not want this to happen you will need to protect the steel using a thin coating of mineral oil. Neat vegetable oils should not be used since they may be acidic and will actually accelerate the formation of this oxide layer.