Preventing Rust

Hello everyone,

What is the best method for preventing rust and water stains from forming on one's razors? I have been using a straight razor for a month or two and have been experienceing a few trouble spots for rust. I find tiny rust specks just next to the blade. My guess is that I'm nervous about wiping the actual blade dry because I may dull it, so a little moisture remains around the blade after shaving.

The other trouble area I have is where the tang and handle meet. The metal area of the tang/shank at its connection to the handle is getting rusted because I cannot find a good way of drying it or removing the rust. Any tips on how to keep this part dry short of taking taking apart the razor?

I shave with this razor every other day. Should I oil it? If so, what type of oil should I use? The only oil I have around is FP-10 (gun oil), but I'm not sure if I would want to put gun oil on a razor that I use regualrly. Is the trick just to find a more comprehensive method for drying the razor after each use? Thanks for any advice. Bob

I just dry mine off. If it gets dull it can always be sharpened. Rust is a problem that won't go away quite so easily.

I take the blade when finished shaving, rinse with hot tap water (mine's 140F+). Then I blow through the scales to remove any excess water. I then pinch the blade in the towel, sharp edge up, grasping gently at the spine, and slowly dry the razor. Be careful not to cut yourself!

You can use a can of compressed air available at most any place that sells computer stuff. That can be used to blow out the pivot area.

I typically shave with each razor in my rotation once a week. I've not had any problems with rust. For storing razors long-term, try some Dovo Sterol available from Ray at Classicshaving.com.

My wifes hair dryer is always plugged in next to the sink. That seems to work pretty well for me as far as drying off the pivot. As for the blade, I also use a cloth from the spine side to dry it off.

I towel mine off as well and leave it open while I dress. I also leave the bathroom door open when I shower so no steam gets in the mugs holding my razors. Tis also not very humid in NE Ohio. Lynn

I dry my razors with towel, after washing with soap and hot wather. This will warm up the blade, and promote drying. After 15 minutes, i aply mineral or light machine oil, to my carbon and stainlesssteel blade.

Before each use, i wash the oil from blades with soap and hot water, and wipe with 96% ethanol alcohol.

That it it.

Has anyone used Clippercide? It's a spray made by the Barbacide people. It disinfects and also lubricates the blade. They make it to disinfect and lubricate a clipper's blades.

Somewhere I read Mineral Oil worked. Well, I happen to cook and have an expensive wooden cutting board which I condition with Mineral Oil. I also condition my knife handles with it.

I have always kept it in a "sprayer" which I stored under my kitchen sink. Now I just keep it in my bathroom and spritz each side of the blade when I finish (I rotate through blades so I don't use the same over and over).

Chris

I got it at a chef's supply store,... but it's online here:
http://ww1.williams-sonoma.com/cat/p...&cmsrc=sch

Most pharmacys carry pint bottles of mineral oil for real cheap.

I should have mentioned, the sprayer is fillable with any oil. One does buy the oil seperate - mine was 2.49 for a pint. The sprayer is filled and then use the lid to pump and pressurize the bottle / oil so that it sprays.

Chris

Hello and welcome to the SRP group! Your question is normal and so far you have received a lot of good suggestions. Mine is simply this, don't be afraid to touch the edge of the blade. It is made from steel, a rather durable substance. My routine is to dry off the razor blade by wiping it on a dry towel or wash cloth using the same motion you use for stropping. For the pivot pin and in between the scales I simply use toilet paper that is folded. For oil I use Camilla(sp?) oil after every shave. No problems with rust.

Randy Tuttle