Moisture...my enemy...

Hello all, got a bit of an issue here. I've had my Dovo for less than a week and I've already spotted a tiny speck of rust on the tang. I understand I need to keep it dry, and here's what I've been doing. Please let me know where I'm going wrong with this.

I obviously thoroughly dry the razor after use, to include between the scales and around the pins with folded toilet paper to get into the tightest areas. After getting it dry, I put it back into the plastic case that the razor came packaged in along with a small silica gel packet.

I would think this would be enough, but apparently it isn't quite enough...where am I going wrong. With one speck in less than a week, I'd hate to know where this is headed unless I change something.

I am no expert but you might be getting the rust due to keeping it in a plastic container where what moisture is present is not able to leave. Silica gel can absorb only so much moisture until it equalizes and starts to humidify the container. A great example would be a cigar humidor which Heartfelt industries sells silica gel marketed as their RH beads to maintain a specific humidity, you refresh its charge by adding moisture to the beads. Also do you strop after the shave and wipe the blade clean of the oils from your hands which the oils from your skin contain minerals which are corrosive to metal.

I apologize if this is too much information.

I don't strop after a shave since I've read several places that it is best not to strop immediately after, though I do clean and dry the razor well.

I figured the plastic box it came in would be fine as there are small holes on either end of the case, but maybe they aren't enough. Do you think maybe a small wooden box would be better, or is my best bet to keep it out and not in a box at all?

Again no expert, Try the wood as would is hydroscopic so what is inside will be dry. Unless you filled the pores of the wood with more water than it can hold then you have the same effect of the silica. Which most likely is not the case. An old cigar box that has been out of a humidor for a long time should work fine. I just received a cheapy humidor that I am going to add some partitions to, to store my razors as it has never been seasoned as a humidor it will keep things dry.

do you have a picture of your rust spot? where on the tang is it near the end or closer to the pivot?

Doubt I could get a good pic of the rust spot...it is a very tiny speck, but still unsettling. About e size of a pin head on the tang about 1/4" from the pin.

if you can get your hands on some superlube oil they make it in a small dropper size can be found at Ace Hardware. you can apply that to the pivot area as it is hydrophobic and should push the moisture away for it to easily evaporate.

Try a search for "mineral oil" in the Forum. Lots of people use it (in various guises) to keep rust off steel.

. Charles

Wxman, there are lots of threads on how to maintain a razor, many differ, but basically God did not mean for water & steel to live together peacefully.

I live in South Florida, humidity, salt air; I keep a heavy coat of mineral oil, applied with Q-tip, on all my blades, wrapped in a white handkerchief, on the bathroom counter. My stored blades are in cigar boxes, mineral oil, rice in panty hose for moisture. Check every 6 months, all beautiful & shiny, carbon & stainless.

Get yourself something else to keep your razor in, with good air circulation. And don't keep it in the bathroom where you shower, too much humidity.

I keep mine out in the open but not in the bathroom. I keep it and a paddle strop in my home office.

I also (usually) wipe the blade with a little mineral oil after each use. I wipe the oil off with a little alcohol each time before stropping.

It's probably not always necessary but I try to remember to do it. In any event I never keep my straight razor in the bathroom and of course I do always dry it off.

So far I haven't had the problem you are speaking of. I do keep DE razors in the bathroom however as well as a few DE blades but I don't store my larger supply of DE blades in their either.

Your drying routine is pretty good. I would strop lightly after the shave as well. It was always recommended in the past. Don't know where the new theory came from. A bit of oil is extra insurance too but if possible leave the razor open to dry before putting away just in case you missed a bit.
It's possible the speck was there from the factory & some water helped it along. New razors often have random microscopic spots from the acid etch.

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Originally Posted by Wxman2000

Hello all, got a bit of an issue here. I've had my Dovo for less than a week and I've already spotted a tiny speck of rust on the tang. I understand I need to keep it dry, and here's what I've been doing. Please let me know where I'm going wrong with this.

I obviously thoroughly dry the razor after use, to include between the scales and around the pins with folded toilet paper to get into the tightest areas. After getting it dry, I put it back into the plastic case that the razor came packaged in along with a small silica gel packet.

I would think this would be enough, but apparently it isn't quite enough...where am I going wrong. With one speck in less than a week, I'd hate to know where this is headed unless I change something.

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Thanks for the advice all...I ended up finding a small wooden box that I think I'll y keeping it in, and away from the bathroom. Also bought some mineral oil to help out as well.

Question about stropping after the shave though. If you strop after shaving, do you still strop before the next shave?

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Originally Posted by Wxman2000

Question about stropping after the shave though. If you strop after shaving, do you still strop before the next shave?

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Yes, the post shave stropping is simply 20 or so laps to dry the edge.

After shaving, wipe down the blade with a dry towel. Then take it out of the bathroom and lay it open on a dry towel for a few hours. This works for me as I don't get water into the scales or pivot. Another idea is to use a hair dryer on the low settting and dry the interior of the scales. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by samda

I don't get water into the scales or pivot.

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This. I'm very careful not to wet the parts of the blade that can't dry easily.

Along with a thorough drying with toilet paper, like many others here, I leave mine sitting out open for a few hours. Near a dry air heat duct in winter also helps to dry it.