Thread: Oil 01 Razor After Each Shave?

I just received an order I placed with Nate Zowada (he made me a shorty!) and am looking forward to the first shave with her.

But the blade being made of 01 steel has me wondering if it will conflict with my laziness.

Usually I will oil a blade only if I know I am not going to be using it for a couple of weeks... but with the 01 steel, it sounds like I need to oil it after each shave.

Do you guys who use 01 steel blades oil after every shave? Or can you get away with cleaning and drying between shaves? I typically shave about twice a week if that matters.

Thanks!
Aldwyn

I shave regularly with my custom Michael Waterhouse 01 steel I never oil the blade just dry well and strop never had a problem with water marks or stains myself.

After shaving I carefully dry my Hart Steel razor before putting it in a tin with a few desiccant packs. Occasionally I'll also lightly oil it with the oil that came with the razor. I live in a (generally) dry climate which helps. The razor has developed a few pin-point dark spots from surface carbides and has started to form a very light grey patina, both of which are normal (and IMO desirable) with high-carbon tool steel.

Have a few o1 steel blades , that don't get used regularly, most of my daily drivers are O2 o they sit in the safe ,Mary completely oil on the pin, nothing else unless put away for the not to be used and for later sell or PIF. So no you don't have to. Just do your work and determine what is going to be the time and where it's stored. Tc

Excellent news! Thanks a bunch!

I have many 01 blades, stopped using oil and started using the silicon impregnated selves for storage, have not experienced any problems since.

Thanks, Frank! I do have a few of those laying around that I dont use. Might be a good idea to pull one out for this guy!

I quit oiling my blades a while back. I found the best medicine to be storing them outside of the bathroom where it can get damp and steamy. My razors go into a box in my closet with desiccant packs. Dry them thoroughly and store them correctly and you should be fine. If you think humidity is an issue, then oil is another layer of protection that can't hurt. Oh, I do have a HART steel made of 01 and I have not had issues. YMMV.

The only blades I oil (Barricade gun oil) are my collector blades that don't get used often (or at all), I rise with very hot water, dry completely, strop a few time and store outside of the bathroom.

I've seen rust form in less than an hour on a steel that was previously oiled & then that oil thoroughly removed. No water contact at any point.

I know humidity levels play a big part but I'd love to know the chemistry at work here with all the people who have carbon steel razors in contact with the air that contains oxygen not rusting.