Thread: Oiling my only razor?

Always keep water/lather out of the blade pivot area. The pivot area is hard to wipe dry and is a prime location for water stains and rust to begin. The only time I had a stain/rust issue beginning was when I let water get in the pivot area of a carbon steel razor. Preventing stains and rust is a lot easier than trying to remove these blemishes.

After shaving, I rinse the razor's blade below the shank/pivot in hot running tap water and wipe dry. The heat helps dry the razor. Keep the blade tilted down to prevent water from running into the pivot area.

I then strop the dried razor and wipe the blade and between the scales with a small rag slightly damp with camellia oil. The oil damp rag is stored between uses in a small plastic former pill container always ready for use that I keep next to my strops. The wipe rag can also be used to wipe carbon steel kitchen knives. The rag is only slightly damp with oil, but leaves a thin barely visible film on the wiped blades and does not leave fingers wet with oil.

Any good steel protecting oil such as a gun oil would work, but camellia or mineral oil are often used because they are eatable oils and any residues that may remain on a blade wiped clean of oil should not adversely affect ones face. Camellia oil is sold by tool and knife vendors and has been used on Japanese swords.

I wipe my straight razor blades and scales once in a while with Renaissance Wax, but a silicon wipe for firearms preservation would also be good. Wipe preservatives off the blade immediately before restropping done before the next razor use. Storing razors in humid heavily used bathrooms may be risky for rust.

Always wiping your razor with an oily rag after use or touching metal as a ritual (as is done with firearms) will ensure that you will never pickup your razor that has not been used for a while and wonder where the rust came from. For me, looking at an unnecessary cosmetic blemish caused by neglect before each shave, especially one caused by me, is an unpleasant reminder that detracts from each shaving experience. I expect to see normal wear and tear on a well used razor.

HTH

Originally Posted by pmburk

Yes, YMMV. When I had just one razor, I carefully wiped it dry not only on the blade, but between scales and around the pivot pin. Then I used the Camellia oil. Then the next day, I wiped off the oil and use the razor. Now I have 12 razors in rotation, I keep all my razors oiled. If I still only had one razor, I would oil it after each use. To me, the oil is cheap insurance.

What kind of oil? Well in my opinion, I would stay away from anything with petroleum base or distillate. I recall reading posts from members using 3 In 1 Oil, I don't think that is very good for your skin. The same applies to WD-40, it has petroleum distillates too. Both can burn or irritate some skin types. I suggest you use a natural or organic oil. Some shavers like to use olive oil, Camellia oil (that's what I use), cooking oil, mineral oil, and I know a couple guys who use Renaissance Wax to protect their razors. We have a poster in this thread who uses Chamomile oil, great idea!

I think I am going to purchase some Camellia oil; I'm going to see if I can't pick it up somewhere here in the STL area. Thanks for the advice!

Just pick up some mineral oil.. Any store with a pharmacy section will have it in the laxative section

It never hurts to use a bit of oil after every use, but I don't think that everybody has to. A lot depends on the razor's usage and the humidity levels. I guess if you start to notice rust, it's time to use oil. If you do use it, I just use mineral oil and it seems to work good.

I'm sure I can find mineral oil. What about this? Spring Valley Pharmaceutical Grade Tea Tree Oil - Walmart.com

Originally Posted by MrAlex2You

I'm sure I can find mineral oil. What about this? Spring Valley Pharmaceutical Grade Tea Tree Oil - Walmart.com

I went to the link you provide, I see no reason why you can't use it. Heck, give it a try and let everyone know how it works out for your razor.

Originally Posted by MrAlex2You

I'm sure I can find mineral oil. What about this? Spring Valley Pharmaceutical Grade Tea Tree Oil - Walmart.com

I don't see why not, tea tree oil is a mild oil that uses include polishing wood & mold control, I have never heard of anybody using it on their razor but I'm sure it should protect it. P.S. Walmart should carry mineral oil as well.

If you love your razor and don't want to see rust...take a few seconds and oil it...as for what to use? I have used vegetable oil for 2 years on my dovo with no problems...You can get a 4 litre jug at most grocery stores for about $2.00 lol

would be nice a light machine oil but in a mini pump spray that doesn't fan out too much. lots of clippercide comes out to the amount that actually is needed or hits the blade.

Alex, I live in the KC area and I do not oil my blades unless I am putting one up for a while. If you have central air and heat there should be little problem.Another thing I do is that I NEVER rinse a blade under the faucet. I will use a dry towel to wipe off lather. No water means no rust and keeping the blade away from the faucet means no dings to hone out. Good luck and enjoy SRP.