Thread: Leather cases promote rust

I think it has to do with the particular leather. Some will absorb and keep moisture depending upon it's treatment/history.
Some will not? Also, I would think the 'breathability' of some leathers would make a difference.

That does it then. Leather is out.

Have you ever seen a rusty dominatrix?

Originally Posted by mrsell63

That does it then. Leather is out.

Have you ever seen a rusty dominatrix?

Not rust but Strap burns are common

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Not rust but Strap burns are common

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Apparently I am not the only expert on this subject.

Originally Posted by JTmke

The hart razor is the reason for my question. Mine is starting to rust I am religious with keeping them dry and oiled but still rust is forming

This may just be circumstancial, but my Hart is the hardest to keep stain free. You look at it and it gets surface rust. I literally cannot get through a normal honing session that's not particularly long without it getting some surface rust. It obviously comes off with polish. Maybe it's a combination of the steel type and surface finish. Dunno. I can't speak to the leather issue. This particular Hart I keep out in the open, in a plain wood drawer, oiled.

Originally Posted by RoyalCake

This may just be circumstancial, but my Hart is the hardest to keep stain free. You look at it and it gets surface rust. I literally cannot get through a normal honing session that's not particularly long without it getting some surface rust. It obviously comes off with polish. Maybe it's a combination of the steel type and surface finish. Dunno. I can't speak to the leather issue. This particular Hart I keep out in the open, in a plain wood drawer, oiled.

I have blades like that,ren-wax them before honing and use distilled water,works.

Any material, other than treated paper or textiles, can promote rust on steel if the steel is put away damp and the dampness not given a chance to evaporate. Moisture is the enemy of steel, and I never store steel in leather long term.

The razors that I "store" are kept in felt rolls and inspected periodically, but I've never seen a problem. The "rotation" that I currently have in use is kept on a shelf in a bureau in my bedroom. They are exposed to the air. I would avoid keeping a razor "contained" in any way. One drop of water in confined space can cause trouble no matter the material.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Not rust but Strap burns are common

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Originally Posted by mrsell63

That does it then. Leather is out.

Have you ever seen a rusty dominatrix?

A busty what?

Seriously, the type of damage really depends on the leather. Vegetable tanned leather is generally OK - the salts used in the tanning process react with brass, causing green verdigris, but I don't think there is anything that reacts with steel.

Chrome tanned leather is tanned using salts that will react with metal, particularly the parkerised blue/black coatings.

And both types, being organic, will absorb moisture and rust metal in that fashion. That moisture can come from the rh (ambient moisture content of the surroundings), sweat from your hands, being in a damp bathroom (comes under ambient moisture) and any moisture trapped in microscopic pits/scratches/marks on steel. Satinised coatings will, in comparison to a mirror coating, hold more moisture - it sits in the ridges. Mostly, you can't even see this sort of moisture.

Some types of moisture you can see - if you look properly. Water on the inside of scales, round the wedge, round the pivot pin - you would be amazed at the amount of razors I have had in - new ones at that, and pricey - that have great big rust stains on the pivot and the blade where it was touching the scales.

However, a properly dried, aired razor kept in a dry leather roll in warm surroundings can store razors as good as new - at least the ones I own have had razors in them for very many years without mishap.

To be safe, don't store razors in leather. You can get many other things to keep them in that deal with ambient moisture, even if it is only silica gel or something more elaborate like a cigar humidor type box (but not with the humidor - that keeps a set level of moisture in the air. They can be replaced with things that give off oily anti-rust vapours - costly, but effective).

To be honest, a simple draw in a dry room is enough. You don't have to get all high-tec over things...

Regards,
Neil