Thread: protect your razor with WD 40? also, stropping strategy

Originally Posted by khaos

Yeah someone had said that so I said olive oil cus if you're really concerned Olive Oil is 100% natural and safe and organic and not processed and stuff. I personally use the Johnson Baby Oil stuff.

While we're arguing the stupid technicalities, as far as I know WD-40 is a synth oil. Sure its came from crude oil, but the crude oil is basically just a convenient source of carbon chains. I don't think you will find WD-40 anywhere in nature. Just as gold can be found naturally, gold rings are not natural. Alder, Rosewood, Spruce and cat gut are all natural but a guitar is not natural. Iron is natural but engine blocks aren't. Silica sand (SiO2) is natural but champagne glasses aren't.

Come on guys lets let it rest. The real question is, is it practical to use? That is personal preference. If you want to deal with getting it off of your razor go ahead. If you're okay using a synth motor oil on your face, go ahead. If you're not, no one is forcing you. Any oil will work. Anything that doesn't have an OH bond really. (Water, organic acids (vinegar), alcohols, aldehydes are all out, ketones and oils are fine though) Actually anything that is not an oxidizing agent. If you really wanna get antsy-pantsy, the Gutenburg Bible I saw (second book ever printed, housed at Yale) is enclosed in a sealed glass case that is filled with argon and lighted by bulbs that produce only low wavelength light, and is housed in a library where the walls and windows are made out of a thin limestone that lets in only soft light and balances the pH of air moisture- limestone neutralises acidic air pollutants like SO2 and NOx (combines with H2O vapor to form H2SO3 and HNO3 and HNO2).

So if you really really really care that much.... I suggested getting an airlock, a cannister of argon gas- though helium will work too, CO2 will work in a pinch, its a little cheaper but the razor has to be dry or else carbonic acid will form (H2CO3)- but argon is better as it is denser than O2, CO2, H2O, N2 and other air particulates so it will force them all out, and some high tech lightbulbs and creating a nice protective case for your razors. Its the only way to truly take care of them.

i just called walmart, they're out of argon

imagine that.
Don't fret, target carries Helium. Just be sure to use extra to compress all that nasty air out of your sealed razor box.

What I've been using (Ballistol):
Corrosion Prevention - Second Round

It will emulsify with water (beats water displacement, IME) and can be applied to minor cuts and wounds (part of it's original design specification), so it should be skin friendly. I have tested it on numerous cuts and abrasions over the last 6 to 8 months with good results. Works great on my firearms, too. Cost is around $10 per 16 ounces.

EDIT: I tested Ballistol vs. Mineral oil vs. Olive oil this summer. Ballistol won easily.

Yep, like Khaos said, all oil's will protect, but not all oil's are good to use on such a delicate place as your face. And with the hyper-sensitivity issues that seem to have creeped into our society as a whole, that could cause some major discomfort, if not worse for some unsuspecting individual. If you can get some, get some Camilia oil and use just the slightest amount on the razor, AFTER you have dried it off. It will work pretty good for most. If you have any trouble finding any, just pm me and I'll direct you to a place you can find some. Take care and God Bless!