Please talk to me about Oil

Greetings all SRP members,

I started out SR shaving in late February and I now have 2 razors that I use in rotation. I shave every 2-3 days so each razor sees water every 4-6 days. I didn't use oil on the blades as I thought it was not necessary on razors that get frequent use. Last week I noticed a spot on one of my razors so I decided to cover the blade with oil after each use.

My routine is as follows. I rinse the razor and dry with a towel. Strop about 30 passes on denim (sometimes on leather). Cover the blade, including the edge with argan oil. For the next use i clean the blade using toilet paper and strop.

My reasoning for using argan oil is
1. It's always available in the bathroom as I sometimes use it on my skin pre or post shave.
2. It is a natural oil so It's safer that mineral oil in case it comes in contact with nicks or cuts.
3. The razors are frequently used so I don't have to worry about the oil going rancid.

My concern is that by covering the blade with oil at such a short time after using the razor the edge will not be completely dry. I would like to hear from experienced members there thoughts on my razor care routine and suggestions for improvement.

I have 7 razors in my rotation and shave every other day. I dry my razor with tissue then Strop on linen and leather and return to razor stand. Never use oil. But, if you are going to oil I would let razor dry at least 12 to 24 hours before oiling to make sure it is dry.

As boushcie said, let the razor dry, preferably open with the blade out of the scales, for a while before oiling.

Well, I do the opposite ,, I wipe the blade dry with a towel, strop the edge & immediately cover with mineral oil, then wrap in a handkerchief. No problem in 7 years with my rotation.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

Well, I do the opposite ,, I wipe the blade dry with a towel, strop the edge & immediately cover with mineral oil, then wrap in a handkerchief. No problem in 7 years with my rotation.

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How do you remove the mineral oil from the razor Whith a tissue and stropping?

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Originally Posted by captainhx

How do you remove the mineral oil from the razor Whith a tissue and stropping?

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I unroll the razor,,,wipe the blade on a towel,,, strop & shave.

Remember that rust/corrosion will only occur if there is moisture and oxygen present. The best practice is to protect the steel from both.

I mix oil 50/50 with 91% isopropyl alcohol. If it is not available in your locality, the more common 70% isopropyl "rubbing" alcohol can be used, but the 91% is preferred. The 91% concentration is an azetrope with water. That means that when it evaporates, the alcohol and water evaporate at the same rate, keeping the concentration at 91%. Thus, for removing moisture from your blade, the 91% concentration is better.

When mixed with oil and applied to your blade, the alcohol evaporates quickly, removing moisture from the blade and leaving behind a thin layer of oil that will protect the steel from contact with oxygen. So you get protection from both moisture and oxygen.

Personally, I use an oil called Ultra Lube. It is similar to Ballistol gun lube. It is vegetable-oil based and non-toxic, so you do not have to worry about getting it on your skin or in a cut. It is a penetrating oil, so it gets down into the pores of the steel to protect it from corrosion. I have quite a few razors in rotation, so my blades get a light wipe-down with the oil/alcohol mixture after every shave.

most likely the spot you got is from missing some moisture before putting it up. once dry and you feel its really dry, the best thing you can do is leave the blade open to dry for a few hours so that it doesn't find moisture inside of the scales. as to oiling if you miss a spot or close the scales too soon all you have done is trapped moisture, some oil some don't , I have not seen any need to oil and my razors are fine all but 3 are custom so I do have an investment to protect. argan oil will work as will just about anything oily, but it needs to be dry first,, try Renwax Tc

I have quite a few blades and I NEVER oil them.

What I do use is about 3 drops of TufGlide, smeared around on the blade, tang and tail and wiped-off as I get a new razor. From that point on, I NEVER reapply it. It bonds with the steel and stays there.

After a shave, I don't do anything other than wipe the blade and strop the edge on a dry,soft towel and lay it somewhere safe for a while to completely dry.

I never get the pivot wet during a shave...No need to.

My razors have gone for years and years with no other treatment.

JMHO

Attachment 263751

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I have quite a few blades and I NEVER oil them.

What I do use is about 3 drops of TufGlide, smeared around on the blade, tang and tail and wiped-off as I get a new razor. From that point on, I NEVER reapply it. It bonds with the steel and stays there.

After a shave, I don't do anything other than wipe the blade and strop the edge on a dry,soft towel and lay it somewhere safe for a while to completely dry.

I never get the pivot wet during a shave...No need to.

My razors have gone for years and years with no other treatment.

JMHO

Attachment 263751

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I've done exactly the same....Tuf-Glide forever!!!

:D

I never use oil, just dry them religiously and put them away in their coffin or a washing glove.

What's a washing glove, please?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washing_mitt

Apparently the proper translation of "washandje" as we call it is washing mitt. Almost everyone uses them here.

Thank you, I learned something today.

You're welcome

After shaving, I strop and leave the opened razor out to dry on its spine for 1-1/2 hrs. or all day if I'm away. Then I dip it in a solution of 4 parts grain alcohol to one part mineral oil, and leave it out for around 10 minutes before closing it up and putting it away. Before shaving, I wipe the blade off with a bar towel, spray it with isopropyl alcohol and wipe it off again.

Since I'm always on the go, when I'm done shaving I wipe the blade dry, tissue between scales, apply baby oil (mineral oil with scent), then into leather roll up. I don't have time or ease of convenience to allow air dry. Upon use I wipe with tissue, or not, before stropping. Little bit of baby oil on the strop won't hurt it. Two years now.

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Originally Posted by Kees

I never use oil, just dry them religiously and put them away in their coffin or a washing glove.

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LOL - I absolutely treat with Tuf-Glide, then after a shave, after sitting to dry, each razor get's stored in one of these...instead of a glove, this is a razor "sleeve" or "sock".

Attachment 263767

moisture plus O2 =rust

Oil prevents the O2 contact so you can oil immediately after use. No matter if water is trapped microscopically in the steel.

Using a water displacing oil is a better idea than other oils as long as it is also a good quality oil & not mostly solvent.

The best oils for razors are non toxic, water displacing & not easily rinsed off. Anything else is sub par IMHO.

This may be a silly question but here it goes. Why keep an oiled razor in a sock?

Is there an oil that is not good for certain scales like bone or woods ?

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Originally Posted by captainhx

This may be a silly question but here it goes. Why keep an oiled razor in a sock?

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I do that sometimes to if its a razor I think I will not use for awhile it's prolly just real over kill