Thread: Straight Razor Care, Oiling

So, I have been reading about all things straight razor lately as I eagerly await getting a straight razor for Christmas, and I have noticed some mixed signals with respect to razor care. I know how badly carbon steel can rust without proper care. Several places seem to indicate that a razor should be oiled after each use and then cleaned with alcohol prior to the next use. Is this clean, oil, clean, oil cycle pretty standard. I don't seem to be hearing about that on this forum, so I'm beginning to question the validity of the other sources.

I am eager to be enlightened on this.

Thanks!

Carl

If you use it daily and clean and dry it between uses and don't store it in a steam room you will be fine. Never oil mine and no rust YET!

That seems to make sense to me. Would that mean I should not store it in the bathroom? I have a brush and razor stand for my safety razor and brush that I normally use, and I keep it next to the sink in my bathrom with all my other toiletries. I'd probably keep the straight razor in the drawer by the sink, rather than the counter, for my own protection, but should I instead move it out into the bedroom away from the humidity?

Carl

What about the leather razor cases that I have seen? Are they more for traveling, or storing in the house?

Thanks again.

It all depends on how much use the showers are getting if its just you and the misses you should be fine, if its 10 people I would put it in a box in my sock drawer. Mine are in the bath room with no issues.

I kept my razors in the bathroom in the medicine cabinet for a while. One day I notice two were starting to get some little rust pits on the blade. Now I keep some in a rack on my dresser and some in coffins in the dresser drawer, have not noticed any rust since. I do use my regularly so I don't oil them though I do make sure the pins are kept oiled as that is a perfect place for moisture to accumulate.

I've kept mine next to the sink for near two decades with no problem. A little oil sometimes and recently started using tuf-glide. My grandfather kept his in the bathroom next to the sink for 60 years with almost no signs of age.

It's good to hear that I will not need to make oiling a daily ritual, although I am sure to order some mineral oil in case I need it. I look forward to my first shave, even though I am sure it will have many of the same troubles that my first safety razor shave had. On the bright side, I can at least make a half decent lather now, unlike when I began shaving with my safety razor.

Thanks for all the input! I'm encouraged by the prompt and friendly responses on this forum.

Carl

Originally Posted by cmorris

It's good to hear that I will not need to make oiling a daily ritual, although I am sure to order some mineral oil in case I need it. I look forward to my first shave, even though I am sure it will have many of the same troubles that my first safety razor shave had. On the bright side, I can at least make a half decent lather now, unlike when I began shaving with my safety razor.

Thanks for all the input! I'm encouraged by the prompt and friendly responses on this forum.

Carl

Use a good quality blade oil. Check Straight Razor Designs or Classic Shaving for some. Also tuf-glide works really well for me and it's not an oily product.

The quality of oil is something I hadn't thought about. What are the significant qualities to look for? I assumed that all oils were made equal, which of course doesn't have to be true.

Carl