Thread: Time Dulls All Blades

I have used some 40-50yr old DE blades that were stored properly (apparently) and they shaved as good as new.

Let me reword your question:
"A razor blade made of carbon steel, once sharpened, then put away, unused, does time eventually cause the razor to corrode?"

The (to me at least) obvious answer is: That depends on how the razor blade is protected.

As you mentioned no protection whatsoever, a blade in that case will corrode in any environment that has a normal level of humidity and thus lose its edge.


B.

Originally Posted by outback

Time/ age dulls everything.
Just look at ourselves.

Speak for me yourself Outback. I'm getting sharper with each new grey hair.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

And that the bevels and edge are clean.

Look at a bevel, with magnification, after you have shaved, cleaned it and put it up.

You will see, bits of soap, skin, hair, and blood, all of that contains moisture and will cause oxidation, (rust), unless the razor was stropped.

I agree. I usually do canvas and leather post shave so that it will be stropped and ready for the next time I use it. If I'm pressed for time I just do a few strokes on the canvas to clean the bevel. It doesn't take much effort at all. My main concearn is the soap because it can really hold the moisture.

I also let my blades air dry for several hours before oiling and storing. Oil on a blade that's not completely dry can trap moisture.

Originally Posted by beluga

As you mentioned no protection whatsoever, a blade in that case will corrode in any environment that has a normal level of humidity and thus lose its edge.


B.

No argument there. It depends greatly on what the normal level of humidity is in any particular environment. In my environment at home if you dry your razor properly after use and store it outside the bathroom it would take a very, very long time for the edge to degrade to a noticeable degree. Other home environments in other parts of the world the degradation could be/is much quicker. It's probably more of an issue in long term storage and you have to take the appropriate precautions.

Bob

But it takes time for moisture to enter and time for moisture to do its damage, eh!

Sounds reasonable to me. I have some stored in a supposed air tight box with moisture absorbing media in the box. Little cans that came from my hearing aide container where I store them, but got a new one and did not throw away the little original cans. Argh! They turn rather rapid and I have to dehydrate the little sucker monthly.

Originally Posted by kelbro

I have used some 40-50yr old DE blades that were stored properly (apparently) and they shaved as good as new.

I bought 40 five packs of Don Juan DE blades last year & they shave great. From what I can tell these were from the late 40's-early 50's era. Shave great! Some have a rust spot that is always in the same place that just wipes off.

Slawman