Thread: Questions I'd like to ask before getting my first straight razor

Originally Posted by alfaspider75

Anyone has any idea on the brown spots on the blade? These spots are ugly and just won't go away

It is the beginning of rust formation. If you have some protective oil/lubricant, try rubbing that on the blade after it has had time to dry out. My brand new Dovo did something similar, and rubbing the razor oil I got from SRD removed most of the staining.

It only took two shaves, rinsing the blade off, before it started to develop rust like a teenager does pimples. After that, I picked up a sponge to wipe the lather onto. The "bone" shaped sponge is available anywhere car wash/wax supplies are sold for under $2. I keep mine dry, to further reduce the risk of rust formation, and on the counter so I don't accidentally chip my blade on the sink. After I rinse & thoroughly ring out the sponge at the end of the shave, I then use what little moisture is left on it to clean the remnants of lather residue from my blade. Gently dry with towel, strop just a bit to ensure the edge is dry, store open in a seldom used room of the house with plenty of airflow until my next shave.

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by Crawler

It only took two shaves, rinsing the blade off, before it started to develop rust like a teenager does pimples. After that, I picked up a sponge to wipe the lather.

My razor is a carbon steel one, not stainless steel. Just didn't expect it only takes a few seconds to develop stains after contact with water. I do wrap the blade with protective oil after using it. Seems I can't rinse it without having stains all over the blade, but I guess it might not be a thorough cleaning without rinsing with running water.

Originally Posted by alfaspider75

My razor is a carbon steel one, not stainless steel. Just didn't expect it only takes a few seconds to develop stains after contact with water. I do wrap the blade with protective oil after using it. Seems I can't rinse it without having stains all over the blade, but I guess it might not be a thorough cleaning without rinsing with running water.

It shouldn't happen that quickly. Rinse it under very hot running water after shaving, which heats the steel some....then dry carefully with a dry tissue staying away from the edge as to not damage it or cut yourself.

Then leave it open in a dry room to let it completely dry. Then and only then apply oil lightly or wipe with an oil or silicon impregnated cloth. If you apply oil too soon, you may be sealing moisture in against the steel.

In short, it isn't the rinsing that is making it rust, it is not drying it completely before you close it. I leave mine out open on top of my dresser for 8-12 hours after shaving to ensure they are completely dry.

the "Knife Shop" probably didn't give you a trues shave ready edge, tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

the "Knife Shop" probably didn't give you a trues shave ready edge, tc

Started to think that way after my second trial.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

In short, it isn't the rinsing that is making it rust, it is not drying it completely before you close it. I leave mine out open on top of my dresser for 8-12 hours after shaving to ensure they are completely dry.

That was how it went. I rinsed the blade with fairly hot water, then I wiped off water drops carefully with a piece of cloth, the stains appeared immediately at where the water drops were. In fact, I didn't have the chance to even close it or place it in poor ventilated location before the stains developed.

I did rinse it before shave to get rid of oil, and I rinsed lather off a few times during the shave, maybe that was long enough for stains to emerge.

I will try very hot water next time. Thanks a lot!

I put on one drop of gun oil on a piece of tissue paper and wipe the blade for long storage, it shouldn't rust that fast. A really hot water rinse lets the blade dry really fast, that's what works for me.

A highly acidic water or very salty water will do that. After my softener cycles it may happen. I have enough iron in my water to have a squirt gun considered a deadly weapon. Also, some common mouthwash products for teeth will stay on the water/sink as an oil and they will really do a fast number on steel. Yup; don't ask!
~Richard

Originally Posted by alfaspider75

I did rinse it before shave to get rid of oil, and I rinsed lather off a few times during the shave, maybe that was long enough for stains to emerge.
I will try very hot water next time. Thanks a lot!