Thread: Black spots

I had the same problem a while back. I got rid of them with metal polish. But if there is Gold Wash on the blade it will take it off. I was not drying the razor good enough. Part of my problem is the mineral content of my water. The long and short of it is to make sure your razor is dry after each use. Hope this helps you.

Are the black spots slightly waxy?
Is the strop new?

I have seen excesss strop dressing do this on a dark
leather strop. Alcohol should soften it so you can
wipe it off. Be sure to lightly oil the blade after using
a solvent as the alcohol removes oil that prevents
rust.

Oil just traps moisture in.

Just dry the blade thoroughly after using.

I dry my blades with a cloth after each shave, and air dry them in my bedroom on my dresser so their not in contact with moisture from the bathroom ( I take steamy showers)

Anyways, JimmyHAD has it right, some blades are more susceptible to the black spots. I find the German steel to be less susceptible to this problem, and the British steel more susceptible, sadly I love the British steel much more.

I use car polish to remove these spots and bring back the mirror finish, but I'm not as concerned on razors I use often, I mean it looks great but like someone else mentioned you can only baby it so much if you really intend on using it then it will show wear and tear.

What about just enjoying the patina, in metal sculpturing patina is highly sought after, as long as it's not rust and not effecting the edge then it's nothing but signs of age to me.

Cheers
D

Originally Posted by mackie

Make sure it is cool and not warm from the hot watter. Otherwise it will condensate when closed up in a box.

It's the other way around actually.


As far as the spots, if you dry the razor well and oil it after use the oxidation must be happening during the shave. In which case nothing much you can do, except polish it and coat it with something that would form a protective film on it. I think tuf glide does it, but there may be something else that works the same available in bulgaria.

Everyone's input is welcome when it's helping the OP

thanks

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

You need to carefully dry the razor after use: wipe off all water, strop a few times to remove residue from the edge, and (if you got the tang or scale areas wet) blow air through the scales away from the razor. You will probably be able to remove the spots on your blade with metal polish.

This is key. Many new guys wash and rinse the scales with each use and do not get the inside of the scales dry enough. Typically you see what you see on this razor. If at all possible, it is best not to get the scales wet when shaving and just rinse the blade. Then that is all you have to dry and after drying, leaving it to air dry for a few minutes should help prevent the water spotting and damage.

Lynn

Well we all do things differently. I rinse with hot water, wipe it down and leave open while I rinse the brush and bowl. I then put Ballistol on the blade and it specifically displaces water. The razor that you showed is not highly polished so it is harder to keep from oxidation because of the surface of the razor is a little rough.


Later,
Richard

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Everyone's input is welcome when it's helping the OP

thanks

Really! Doesn't seem that way to me. Have you been reading this?

Years ago my brother got the idea of using a sheet of plastic for a tent on a cool night. He woke up with it raining on him. His body heat had caused the plastic to sweat and it was driping on him.
Kind of like putting warm food in a container in the fridge. Next time you open the container there will be water standing on the food.
That is why I said I would not put a hot razor in a box and close it. That is just my opinion and nothing more. I am not a scientist. Just seems like common sense to me.