Thread: Oil to protect my blade

I've quickly learned this forum is a great place to get quick responses!

I've ordered my "kit" and am waiting to get started. I am realizing that I don't have any oil to put on the blade to keep the carbon from rusting and have seen that as a suggestion in several places. If I ordered the Musgo shave oil, can I use that, or do I need a specific type of oil? I'm guessing the Musgo will not do.

Also, though not related to the threat title here, is there a wrong way to wipe my blade to remove hairs and soap? I've seen people rinse, wipe on a sponge and wipe on a cloth off camera. I just don't want to wipe the blade the wrong way and do something unknowingly to my edge. Wipe sideways? Wipe from the spine down toward the edge?

Thanks, guys.

-Stub

Originally Posted by Stubear

I've also used WD40 in the past which works very well, and there are people here who use gun oils with good results as well.

+1 on this. I use RP7.. pretty much the same as WD40.. smells nice, disperses water and has the added bonus of being sort of spray on/aerosoley/easy.

I wish you great shaves

Cheers

Mykel

I've only been SR shaving for a little over a month, but I've been using vegetable oil without any obvious problems (so far).

I've seen olive oil recommended on these forums:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...tml#post517150

And I've also seen folk warn against it:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...ust-razor.html

My best guess is that it's probably ok, so long as you keep shaving with that blade every day (or every couple of days), so you're always washing the oil off and replacing it before it goes off.

If it does turn out to ruin my razor, I guess I'll come back and let y'all know

Plain old mineral oil is probably the best to use for blade protection (assuming you use any at all, I don't). The easiest to find is baby oil, and it is just fine. You can also use food grade white oil (which is often sold at as honing oil at knife shops).

Vegetable oils, including most preshave oils, are actually slightly acidic and will promote oxidation of the blade. FYI, the chamillia oils typically sold as knife/sword protective oils are usually mosty mineral oil. Pure chamillia oil is a relatively strong acid and will turn you blade dark.

+1 on pure mineral oil. You can buy it cheap at drugstores..

I use Ballistol, which is a German gun oil, but available over here. It's sort of expensive, but I think it may penetrate the pivot and jimps better than plain mineral oil (which is the main ingredient of Ballistol), and it is safe-the OSHA MSDS comes with it. Just search "Ballistol" on the internet, if you are interested.

Hello, Stubbles:

I use camillia oil and it has worked perfectly well for me for the past few years. I bought a small bottle from Straight Razor Designs and figure it will last me for the next few years. Good stuff.

Regards,
Obie

Stubbles,

Here's how I finish my razor when I'm done.
I first rinse my blade clean with hot water. Wipe the blade from tang to toe with a dry towel, lengthwise, spine towards the towel, then I wipe off the scales. The blade is warm and it dries off better when it's warm. Then I take 3 leafs of toilet paper, double them over and pull them through the middle of the scales to dry off any water in between. I then put a film of mineral oil on the blade and put it away.

Marc

Another vote for Ballistol

Semper Circa,
LG Roy

+1 on Mineral Oil.....Mineral oil is also often used as a coating on metal tools and weapons, knives in particular, as a way to inhibit oxidation

It sounds like camellia oil or mineral oil will do. Thanks to all for your input!

-Stub