Thread: Rust on blade.

Hello.

I decided to start Straight Razor shaving three years ago or so. Everything went well and tidy but year ago or so I decided that I shall for the first time, grow a full beard. So I mothballed my Straight Razor. I put it in to a airtight pack with some white rice to absorb moisture, and set it aside to wait for when I need it again. Today I decided to shave off my beard, so I went and dug out my old straight razor and this is how I found it:




I have no clue how is it even possible that the blade rusted, as I put it in to the pack dry. I even used hairdryer on it before I mothballed it.
Is there anything I can do to restore the blade? Or is it complete goner?

That is horrible man! I feel your pain. Uhm... it's the pitting closest to the edge that has me scared to death. It looks deeply pitted. Sheesh, see what happens when you take some sandpaper to it. Hopefullly that is only surface rust that comes off easily, it just doesn't look like it though.... That really sucks! Nice razor too...
I always tell people to dry then oil their blade regardless.

You didn't let the actual rice touch the blade did you?

I didn't oil my blade because I thought there is no way in hell any moisture would get in to my airtight pack.. And I thought rice was enough to stabilize the humidity within the pack. I should had thrown bag of calcium chloride in to that airtight bag, that would had removed all the humidity within the pack.. Oh well it's easy to be smart afterwards.

The rust doesn't feel that deep, when I run my nail against it so maybe there is some hope. Should I try to hand stand it with different grit papers, or would abrasive pastes and some buffing be better option?

No. The blade was wrapped in paper.

I would go to a light hand sanding with 2k W/D to see where I'm really at with the corrosion.

Originally Posted by Aerdvaark

I would go to a light hand sanding with 2k W/D to see where I'm really at with the corrosion.

I second this.
Or if you have some 000 or 0000 synthetic steal wool, give it a try. You will knock off the big stuff and see whats left. Hope you dont find deep pitting. Good luck. And, If you use the W/D sand paper, put a touch of dish soap on it along with the water.

Probably the airtight bag that caused the damage. Any moisture in there was trapped. Edge doesn't look too good, maybe send it out for a pro hone first to see if it can be saved. Other than that, should clean up ok.

Looks to my eyes like the rust didn't go deep, so a clean-up and a good honing should get her back into working order. Fingers crossed for you here, buddy.

It may take some time hand sanding the rust away, but it will come back to normal. Then you have to spend even more time buffing it back up to your polish desires.