Thread: Straight razor storage

What's a good place to store a straight razor. And if i shave only once a week do I need to oil it?

The need to oil the razor is dependent upon the climate it is stored in and the area you live. When in doubt oil it. A razor coffin is fine. If you have several and rotate then I prefer leather razor rolls. Stropping after the shave can help ensure that the very edge is dry. Keeping it clean and making sure the blade and scales, especially pivot area are dry is the best thing you can do to avoid rust or pre-rust water stains. Lynn Abrams has a very good video on this.

Originally Posted by 1holegrouper

When in doubt oil it.

+1; it only takes a single drop, and it can't hurt.

Originally Posted by 1holegrouper

I view something like that is for just right before and during your shave. I would NEVER store a razor like that- not even for a day.

PS; let me clarify; I personally would not store my razor near the place my brush is drying. I would never store it an a bathroom. Also, I like something to be protecting the razor from the air in my home (like razor roll or razor cabinet). There are a lot of guys who would disagree but that's just me.

Does the same thing apply to safety razors? And what about brushes? Can I store them in the brush stand 24/7?

I use mine two to three times a week and I keep it in a test tube stand I bought from Amazon. It was cheap and I can use it for up to 10 razors.

Also, I oil it every single time I use it. It takes 20 seconds. Here's my routine:

Strop
Shave
Dry
Strop
Oil
Put away.

I messed up first two razors by not oiling them after shaving.

I store mine in my AlembiCase.

UNFORTUNATELY they are out of business.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/vendo...e-closing.html

For what is in my daily rotation I use this tooth brush stand from Wal-Mart in the background,
the only modification to it is I drilled a 22mm (7/8) hole in the bottom below the other holes. Why the razors sit more secure.
I can also leave one set in the holder half open to let the blade dry and it is closed enough to protect the blade and all but the most carless.

Is there a trick to drying the pivot area? Some part of the scale is always in contact with the blade.

Originally Posted by TSWisla

Is there a trick to drying the pivot area? Some part of the scale is always in contact with the blade.

Yes.... Don't get it wet...

Seriously though you shouldn't get water near the pivot, some people don't even use water to clean off the lather... just wipe it on a towel.
I rinse my blade and then wipe it with a tissue to keep it dry through my shave.

Personally I don't worry about it too much, but then again I use vintage blades that almost always have an issue in the pivot area already so, you know, it lasted 60-90 years with the pivot looking a little grungy, I'm not going to worry about a little water in there. But I do make sure it gets some oil in there too.

Now, if I just threw down over a hundred bucks on a fancy new blade, I might think differently. Same if I just spent big bucks to restore an old one.