Thread: Black spots

Hi. I've been shaving with a straight razor for 2 weeks (about 3 shaves). My razor was almost perfect when I started using it, but it's getting worse with every shave. First black spots appeared after my first shave!!! After the second shave, it became even worse.
I had my third shave yesterday and I don't know what to expect. I oil my razor after every shave and I still can't stop the black spots. What do I have to do to preserve my razor?

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.

Where do you keep it.?

After I wash it, dry it and oil it, I put it in a box. One of these boxes in which straights are sold.

Make sure it is cool and not warm from the hot watter. Otherwise it will condensate when closed up in a box. Personally I woud not keep mine closed up unless traveling. I think they need to air dry and change with the temperatures.

Are you storing it in a damp bathroom when finished? I also like to leave my razor in the box but leave the box opened to air dry. What kind of oil are you using? Could that be the cause of the black spots?

Some areas have minerals or whatever in the water that will stain the blades with spots such as that if I'm not mistaken.

To be honest there is not a lot you can do to keep a blade mint condition and you need to decide wether it is a work horse that shaves every day or it is an ornament that looks pretty!

After all you cant do your months shopping in a Ferrari sports car can you!

Your correct Jimmy as each water source is totally differnet and contains many different formulas of chemical costituents that they can all have a marked impact upon razor steel.

I have a vast knowledge of water due to a previous job as a professional aquarist all that great knowledge that I have and it dont make me a penny!

Originally Posted by Thechef

Your correct Jimmy as each water source is totally differnet and contains many different formulas of chemical costituents that they can all have a marked impact upon razor steel.

The funny thing is that I have had spots, more like blemishes appear on some of my razors and not on others that I can only attribute to my tap water. For me the high polished blades seem to be more susceptible to this but not all of them.

I've recently gotten a highly recommended product called Renaissance Wax which I intend to apply to some blades to see if that will be effective as a barrier against the culprits that are leaving these blems.

I use the oil that most watchmakers use. When I have to shave, I wipe the oil, then clean the blade with alcohol and then shave. After each shave I wipe the water, clean the blade with alcohol, strop and finally oil it. Then I put it in a box and store it in the bedroom. Putting it in a box while it's warm shouldn't be a problem. Condensated water appears on cold objects that are put in a warm place and not the opposite. Or I'm wrong?