Thread: Taking care of a razor.

I'm sure there's something here, but I can't seem to find it in a search. Any good write-ups on taking care of a straight razor? I assume there's more to it than just washing it when you're done? At least some occasional something?

drying it is the most important. let it air dry well and that's it.
for prolonged storage some sort of protective oil would help, the old manuals suggest vaseline, there was a recent article testing various anti-rust protections on steel plate and ballistol did best.

Originally Posted by gugi

drying it is the most important. let it air dry well and that's it.
for prolonged storage some sort of protective oil would help, the old manuals suggest vaseline, there was a recent article testing various anti-rust protections on steel plate and ballistol did best.

+1. Rinsing the blade in hot water before drying seems to help to. The heat retained by the blade dealing with unseen moisture, I store my razors with silica gel packets too.

I use all of my razors on a seven day rotation. After use, I dry the razor carefully attending to retained moisture between the scales. I have made a roll out of silver cloth and I store them outside the bathroom thus eliminating moisture accumulation. If I go on a trip, where I generally take my fatboy double edge, I wipe them down with a cloth impregnated with Camilla oil that I also use in my workshop. The take home point is to keep them clean and dry. If you have additional questions please send me a PM.

Lewis

A good drying is all you reallly need. If you want, you can put a light coating of mineral oil on the blade. There are many different types of mineral oil available, e.g. baby oil, sewing maching oil, honing oil. All work well and all are cheaper than some of the exotic protectants you will here of. What ever you use, be sure to wipe the blade carefully before going to the strop, and you will want to clean it well before honing on a water stone.

Originally Posted by AlanII

+1. Rinsing the blade in hot water before drying seems to help to. The heat retained by the blade dealing with unseen moisture, I store my razors with silica gel packets too.

+1

I use the silica gel packets too. Not sure if I've noticed any difference than when I didn't have any, but that is their purpose so it made sense to me.

I use Silica on the razors there are to much long without use. Besides that, i usually clean very well the razors - atention to "inside" part of the scales -, and i apply camellia oil throught all the razor. Pay also atention to the Pins area inside of the scales because many times i have seen some signs of rust.
Dont forgett to be carefull when cleaning..remember that the blade is always looking to cut something
Ps - and before the Camellia oil... the Strop!

I guess it's easier than I thought. Thanks everyone. Especially pointing out keeping an eye on the inside of the pins and keeping in mind not to cut myself. I still have this feeling that I'm going to at some point in time(it's intimidatingly sharp), but I'm a careful person with such things, so maybe I'm wrong.

Originally Posted by TheFinerThings...

… but I'm a careful person with such things, so maybe I'm wrong.

Oooo, way to tempt the shaving gods.

Originally Posted by AlanII

Oooo, way to tempt the shaving gods.

Haha, didn't even think of that. I guess I'm in trouble now. I did just have my first shave, though, and not even a nick.