small spots on my razor ....help!

[Mansur]

Hello to all

i am a beginner and i'm pleased to join to you

I've noticed the appearance of small spots on my straight razor (Dovo) ,I think it's after i use hot water for cleaning !!! (I'm not sure)

It is staying, despite trying to remove by water or razor oil

so my questions are:

What is it?

What is the reason they appear?

Does it affect the skin when shaving?

How to disappear?

thanks

[hi_bud_gl]

it is water spots.
use maas get rid of them.
next time dry your blade well . gl

[AlanII]

They sound like water or maybe soap spots where the razor was not quite cleaned or dried properly before storage. Cleaning the blade in hot water is not bad, heats up the blade so that it can evaporate residual dampness. It depends where they are, far from the edge and it shouldn't effect the shave. Removal is generally simple with a good metal polish (eg Maas) or, if you don't have any immediately to hand, sometimes a crunched up ballof aluminium foil gently rubbed over the offending areas can work wonders. Be careful not to touch the edge or any goldwash with either method. It disappears in a second. Good luck.

[Stubear]

First of all, welcome to SRP!

Yep, as Sham says, its water spots. MAAS will get them off and they shouldnt affect the razor unless corrosion sets in.

Something to watch is to make sure you've dried in between the scales after the shave. Any water there will make contact with the blade when you close the razor, and when you open it there will be spots.

Put a pack of silica gel in with the razor as well, this stuff sucks the moisture out of the air and should help prevent tarnish as well.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[JimmyHAD]

Welcome to SRP. Sometimes hard water does it or additives in the soap/cream might react with the carbon steel. As everyone else mentioned a bit of metal polish is effective sometimes. It is a condition that I have learned to live with. The important thing is to avoid corrosion. Following the shave, rinsing and drying the blade, I strop the razor on leather for 20 or so passes back and forth and then coat it with a light rust preventative that I apply with a silicone gun cloth. Overkill to some but I'd rather be safe than sorry and so far so good.

Here is the SRP Wiki where you'll find the beginner's guide and tutorials and videos on everything you always wanted to know about straight razor shaving. If you can't find it there don't hesitate to ask.

[Maximilian]

I've had them constantly show up it would drive me crazy. I have since tried a few different options as to minimize them and I have found a solution that has pretty much stopped the staining of my razors.

What I do is between each pass when I lay the razor aside while I'm re-lathering my face and all, I first rinse the blade, remove all soap or cream residue and just wipe it completely dry just like when I would do when I'm finished.

Following this routine during the whole shaving ritual has drastically reduced if not completely eliminated the sudden darkening spots on my razors. They now very rarely show up again. For some reason leaving the water and soap/cream residue on the blade while letting the razor rest during shaving speeds up the staining. At least it does in my shaving environment.

A little bit more work maybe but worth it because now I don't stress anymore.

[JimmyHAD]

Interesting Max, I never thought of that. I am wondering if a coating of Renaissance Wax might help protect the razor ? Of course the edge and spine would be unprotected once stropped but most of the blade would be coated. I may give that a try as I have the stuff.

[Bruce]

I consider myself lucky as I have had no problems with water spots, staining, or rusting. After shaving I rinse the blade with quite warm water and run the blade between my thumb and index finger to remove any residual lather. Then I turn the faucet to the hottest water the old heater will supply and rinse the blade again, holding it in the stream long enough to get the blade good and hot. Next is wiping it on a clean, dry cotton towel, folding it up, and putting it away for its next use. And that's it. Anything left on the blade may allow staining or corrosion to begin. If it's put away clean and warm, I believe the blade will stay nice and shiny until it's used again - even if not oiled.

Max's comment about rinsing and wiping the blade between passes makes me feel like somewhat of a shaving pig as the prep for another pass is I hold the razor in one hand while slathering on another coat of lather with the other.

good luck, good shaving

[Mansur]

I thank everyone above

and I promise you to full preciseness clean in the future

but I hope to guide me to the best way to remove it

Where can I find the best metal polish for that ?( i mean a website to sell and the full name of the product.)

If you have given me a direct link I grateful for you .

[JimmyHAD]

I thank everyone above

and I promise you to full preciseness clean in the future

but I hope to guide me to the best way to remove it

Where can I find the appropriate for that ?

Depends on the staining. As noted above the best way is a metal polish such as Maas, Semichrome , Flitz or Wenol. There are others and they are about the same IMO. One of these substances on a paper towel may do it. If that doesn't do it then you are looking at more drastic measures such as buffing if you're lucky or hand sanding followed by buffing if you're not. Sometimes it is better to leave well enough alone IME.