Thread: The Good and the Bad

Hello all,

So, I'll start with the good news first. I just finished up my very first full straight razor shave, without a nick to show for it (one down, a couple thousand to go!).

The bad news:

I've been slowly teaching myself on an Edwin Jagger, and I really couldn't be happier with the razor. However, I've been coating it with a light layer of baby oil after each shave, and a strange brown residue has started to show up on the razor (as well as on the paper towels I used to wipe it off). It seems to be wiping off the scales easily enough, but some of it won't come off the blade.

Has anybody encountered this before? Solutions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

- Dave

Congratulations with your first shave.
Solution use some maas and next time dry blade very well and keep in dry location.
hope this help. GL

I have never tried baby oil. I use mineral oil with no problems. Try baking soda and vinegar to get the residue off of blade.

Originally Posted by rllucas9

I have never tried baby oil. I use mineral oil with no problems. Try baking soda and vinegar to get the residue off of blade.

baby oil is scented mineral oil

Originally Posted by rllucas9

I have never tried baby oil. I use mineral oil with no problems. Try baking soda and vinegar to get the residue off of blade.

A word of warning: I've read vinegar being used to induce patina/rust blueing on blades. If you go there, be careful.

Hard to say what it is without pictures, but it might be starting rust. Like Hibud said, dry it well after each handling.

It might not be the coating oil.

I love Mitchells Wool Fat shaving soap. But, I have noticed that it leaves a residue on my blade similar to what you describe. Possibly, the same can occur with other shave soaps. I have to use "extra" measures from time to time to clean the blade similar to those described by earlier posts.

i would also tell you to polish up the blade and then use a camellia oil mixture on the razor. just remember to wipe off before stropping or shaving..the mixture i use is about 1/2oz camellia oil and about 3 1/2oz isopropyl alcohol, just shake up before you apply to the blade. when the alcohol dries up it will leave a very thin coating of oil so the blade will not rust or tarnish...good luck