Thread: Another Stupid Question.......

I have cleaned the blade with hot water then patted it dry, is that enough to clean it properly?

After I shave should I rub oil on the blade?

Can I keep my blade in the box in the bathroom with the strop?

Ok I know that is more than one question.......... but I never said I was clever..

Originally Posted by Evil Bert

I have cleaned the blade with hot water then patted it dry, is that enough to clean it properly?

After I shave should I rub oil on the blade?

Can I keep my blade in the box in the bathroom with the strop?

Ok I know that is more than one question.......... but I never said I was clever..

Don't forget to leave the razor open to dry for a while. Some strop the blade along a piece of tissue to dry the edge. If you live in a low humidity environment oil would be an extra precaution, but if you live somewhere humid, oil is a good idea to prevent rust. I store my razors in a tupperware boxes with some silica gel packs, but I keep them in the bathroom that doesn't have a shower. All the humidity from the shower can cause rust.

Of course, all this advice would change if you had a stainless blade...

Maybe, maybe not.

It may appear clean, but soap film and residue will most likely still remain. After I rinse well with water, I like to clean the blade and tang area with iso-propyl alcohol. I use a cotton ball soaked with OH(alcohol). After the alcohol cleaning, I will still wipe the blade and tang with a tissue and then lay it out to dry while I clean up the area. I will then strop the razor about 12 times on the linen and 12 times (passes) on the leather. This assures me the edge is dry! I then apply a light film of oil to the blade, tang, and piviot pin. I prefer to use Camellia Oil.

there are many different oils that are used: Mineral oil is popular. I've read recently that sewing machine oil is good. Whatever you would prefer. Do a search on oil and you will find a lot of information.

Some guys only use oil when they are going to store a blade for a long time. I prefer to apply oil even to my shave ready razors that are in rotation. Why not?

Good luck!

Steve

Originally Posted by zepplin

After I rinse well with water, I like to clean the blade and tang area with iso-propyl alcohol. I use a cotton ball soaked with OH(alcohol). After the alcohol cleaning, I will still wipe the blade and tang with a tissue and then lay it out to dry while I clean up the area. I will then strop the razor about 12 times on the linen and 12 times (passes) on the leather. This assures me the edge is dry! I then apply a light film of oil to the blade, tang, and piviot pin. I prefer to use Camellia Oil.
I prefer to apply oil even to my shave ready razors that are in rotation. Why not?

+1 This could have been written by me so I'll just quote it...

If you have used neat's foot oil on your strop, stropping after a shave (and after an initial drying of the razor!) will leave a very light oil protective layer from the strop on the edge of the razor.

Oil is helpful, just wanted to emphasize keeping the razor completely dry when you are done shaving is very important. I've also made the mistake of oiling a razor that either 1) wasn't completely dry or 2) somehow humidity got under the oil, as the razor corroded under it. For a daily user this might not be a problem because it is constantly being wiped off and stropped etc.. but when you get more razors (and you will) this is something to consider when it is time to look for a place to keep them all. Humidity/moisture=bad.


I wouldn't keep it in the bathroom, either, unless you have some method (such as the dessicant packs) of keeping it dry or perhaps the razor is stainless. The hinge pins are especially difficult to dry, which is why I leave mine in a different room (open) to finish drying after a shave. Barring that, a hairdryer is sometimes helpful.

HTH

John P.

Wow, thanks for the advice, I will remove the razor from my bathroom. Next time I go shopping I will pick up the alcohol. I hope to use this razor everyday! You got to wonder how long it takes to prepare to shave, shave and then clean up properly. No wonder you have to leave the razor for 12 -24 hrs, it takes that long to sort everything out.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

If you have used neat's foot oil on your strop, stropping after a shave (and after an initial drying of the razor!) will leave a very light oil protective layer from the strop on the edge of the razor.

I second this, I have experimented with some sacrificial razors and in an enclosed space and it does keep the bevel clean. Plus it's good for the strop!

Originally Posted by zepplin

M

there are many different oils that are used: Mineral oil is popular. I've read recently that sewing machine oil is good. Whatever you would prefer.
Some guys only use oil when they are going to store a blade for a long time. I prefer to apply oil even to my shave ready razors that are in rotation. Why not?

Good luck!

Steve

Agree and disagree.

I would not use just any oil. Some contain water and other chemicals and are not designed to be used on metal. Look for oils formulated to protect and lubricate metal...that's why I recommend sewing machine oil.

The second statement I agree with. It is not necessary to use oil if the razor is dry. But it's good insurance.

Probably if you use the same razor every day you don't need to use oil however, consider that carbon steel has a real affinity to oxygen and that spells rust. I would be willing to bet that if you dried a razor off and left it out overnight in the morning if you put it under a very high power microscope like an SEM you would see rust and corrosion on the very edge. It forms very rapidly. I oil all of mine with Sterol.