Quote Originally Posted by onimaru55 View Post
The keywords here are WD = water displacing .
Definitely not recommended - not for a prolonged period of time, anyway.

When I have finished shaving I dip the blade in hot water for 5 - 10 secs to heat the steel a bit, then wipe it down and let it air before stropping it a few times on canvas (cleans and makes sure the bevel is dry) and putting it away.

If you wipe it and then immediately oil it, you are running the risk of trapping a film of water under the oil, with possible oxidation as the result. YOu won't see the 'film' of water - it is held in the small scratches and pores in the steel. You won't even feel that it is there - but it is.

Under magnification the polished surface of the blade looks like a mass of fine scratches, remnants of grind marks, shallow pores, etc - all perfectly capable of trapping water, even after you have wiped the blade - you need to let this film evaporate, which is why its a good idea to let the razor air for a bit in a dry, well ventilated place.

Soapy water isn't a problem, but the fact that soap makes water 'wetter' means it is more able to creep into any crack and crevice.

If you thoroughly dry the blade (wipe, air - blade open is best) and store sensibly, then you will have little need to oil if you use the razor on a regular basis.

Once any pores in the fabric of the steel have been compromised by tarnish some pitting inevitably occurs, even if it is on a small scale and hard to see with the unaided eye, so you will have to take double the care when you get your razor back.

Regards,
Neil