Thread: Oil between shaves?

Hey folks! I'm excited, as my sight-unseen Whipped Dog straight razor just arrived (looks good), meaning I can try my first ever straight razor shave tomorrow morning. I'm a bit nervous, but more than that I'm looking forward to it.

I've read a bunch and think I have most tips for starting out in mind. However, I'm wondering about my best practice for the razor after I shave. I know about rinsing and wiping it dry, but what do I do then? I've seen recommendations to coat it in oil. If that's best, what oil, and how is it best applied? Do I keep the razor open?

Thanks!

Oh, and here's the razor:

I use mine every other day, so I don't oil it. I do strop the blade on webbing strop and then leather strop, after shaving to make sure it is dry.

However, for the other razors that I have, which are stored for a while I put a few drops on the blade and make sure it is all coated, and a drop on each pin. I store in a plastic ziplock bag, sealed, with one of those anti desiccant packs. When I shave I make sure I wipe them off, obviously.

Also, I store my razors in a dressing room, and not in the bathroom, so they are not around dampness, in-between shaves. It's been about four months and no rust on any blades so far.


Granted, YMMV, given the humidity in your home. It's pretty dry in my house, especially in the Winter.

I got the oil from SRD, so not sure what kind it is (not much labeling on it).

Lots of humidity here.

After every shave I rinse good and wipe dry with TP, then strop linen/leather and finish off with a coating of Ballistol oil. Takes a couple extra minutes but no choice with my poorly ventilated small RV size half bath.

A quick rinse and wipe with TP and the razor is ready for pre-shave stropping.

I started coating my DE and cartridges too.* I get several more shave from both them now. The reduction in maintenance and edge life of disposables, DE's and straights more than out weights the costs adding oil plus a nifty dabber to your kit.



* Wish I had done this for the last 50+ year$. colon pee ()

Your environment and storage largely dictate what is best. I clean with tissue, strop and air dry slightly open for a day then store in a metal briefcase that has hd foam with cutout sections for the razors and have plenty of desiccant packs in the case. Have had no problems with this but in a humid environment then oiling would be a good idea. If I was planning on long term storage then I would oil the blade just to be sure

I rinse, dry with a microfiber towel, and strop 30 on linen and 30 on leather. At the end of the week I do an oil wipe down of the razors that I have used that week.

After shaving I dry with a kleenx tissue. then strop and re-oil and wrap in kitchen wax paper and replace in the coffin. because It maybe several weeks before I use the same razor again I keep it with others in a tubaware container in the gun safe. I have seen metal that was wrapped in plastic rust after storage so I do wrap In wax paper for that reason. so far no rust. If it will be along time storage I also us a rust inhibitor called R.I.G. that I get form my local gun store. it works great but you have to be careful when putting it on and removing it.

Clippercide from Sallys is great for regular use. Very easy to spritz a blade and disinfect as well. Long term I use the SRD razor oil. Not sure whats in it but never had an issue. Cammilia oil I hear is very good also.

If that is active rust I see on that blade, I would oil it after it dries just to try to inhibit the spread of any more rust.

Have fun.

That blade appears to need some TLC.

Thanks for the help everyone.

The razor is from Larry at Whipped Dog, and I assume he wouldn't send one out with problematic rust. The spots on the blade aren't rust-colored, but then, I don't know what carbon steel rust would look like. I'll keep an eye on it and keep it dry!