Pitting vs. soap/water stains

[RustySterling]

I'm pretty sure that pitting would be cause by rust. But I see some SRs described as having soap or water staining. How would this appear vs. how pitting would look? Or is it difficult to discern the difference?

[Splashone]

Pits are holes caused by past rust. Staining is discoloration, patina, tarnish whatever you want to call it. Pitting requires removing metal as deep as the bottom of the pit to remove it. Staining can frequently be removed with polish or very fine (2000 or so) sand paper then polish at the worst.

[ace]

Give water or soap staining enough time, and you'll have rust. When you remove that you will have pits. It's just a matter of time.

[Euclid440]

No, it is not difficult to see the difference.

Pitting is rust, water spots are white. If you leave water on steel long enough it will rust. So technically, one man’s water spot is other’s pitting, Ha! Not really.

Sounds like EBay descriptions… don’t believe anything they say on EBay. The photos are not blurry because they are poor photographers…

As said, Pitting is cause by rust. Rust is bad. Pitting is worst.

Buy the razor in the best condition you can afford…you will be money ahead in the long run.

[RustySterling]

I figure pitting is pitting. I've seen some discoloration that I could buff out. But pitting I know only comes out by seriously removing metal which I believe affects the integrity of the blade. Yes, those are ebay words and I don't put much credence in them. But I had to ask.

Oh, and I am a professional photographer and I immediately move on when I see out of focus shots.

[Euclid440]

EBay should make a BS button, like the Watch This button. And a banner would float on the screen… “156 people like you think this is BS.”

When you see an item with 156 BS hits… you pass.

Maybe some people would get the hint.

If you are new to restoration, buy razors you can hold in your hand and see the actual condition before purchase or from known and trusted sources where you can return them like the classifieds here.

[RustySterling]

Thanks for reminding me about the SRP classifieds.

[RustySterling]

@Euclid: Wow, another BIG thank you for reminding me of the SRP classifieds. I went over and found two sweet razors for sale at one nice price. Pulled the trigger immediately.