Thread: Carbon steel oxidation/rust developing very rapidly

It may have to do with the finish of the razor. A lot of the reason that we can use carbon steel in the presence of water is because of the relatively high state of polish on the steel. Polished steel presents less surface area for corrosion.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

It may have to do with the finish of the razor. A lot of the reason that we can use carbon steel in the presence of water is because of the relatively high state of polish on the steel. Polished steel presents less surface area for corrosion.

This is true. There were more spots on the rough parts (such as striated the grind of the blade, and the etching), although one bad spot on the polished spine (this was luckily easy to get rid of). My DD razor that I compare to has a more polished blade throughout. But this is not true for my other razors though, as they vary quite a bit.

Just about everyone has a electric hair dryer in the bathroom, use it on your wet razor!! I do!

Slawman

Originally Posted by trondsi

This is true. There were more spots on the rough parts (such as striated the grind of the blade, and the etching), although one bad spot on the polished spine (this was luckily easy to get rid of). My DD razor that I compare to has a more polished blade throughout. But this is not true for my other razors though, as they vary quite a bit.

The micro topography of rough could differ considerably with different abrasives. I'd say keep polishing out the stains with a metal polish (Flitz, Mothers, etc.) and you will be taking some of the tooth out of the coarse finish as you go.

It's probably a combination of the micro topology and your water.

Originally Posted by Slawman

Just about everyone has a electric hair dryer in the bathroom, use it on your wet razor!! I do!

Slawman

He said that the stains are occurring while he is shaving.

Originally Posted by Slawman

Just about everyone has a electric hair dryer in the bathroom, use it on your wet razor!! I do!

Slawman

A hair dryer can help remove moisture, but be careful not to turn it on high and then get close to the razor. Some types of scales can be damaged by excess heat. If it is not too hot for your dry skin, it should not be too hot for your razor.

I had some warped scales on a Gold Dollar (yeah, I know, no surprise there) and heated them with a hair dryer until they softened enough to straighten them. You would not want to do that with good scales.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

He said that the stains are occurring while he is shaving.

YES

This is the thing that concerns me. Other problems with staining (e.g. leaving the blade or scales wet) are issues I got rid of years ago.

Right now, I have left the razor completely unprotected (no oil) in my bookshelf, after rinsing it with distilled water and wiping completely dry (I gave it a quick stropping too). I am not seeing any stains after several hours now, so this is apparently something the steel can handle.

Are you using a new shaving soap or cream by any chance? The fact that it isn't reacting to the distilled water is interesting.

Originally Posted by blzrfn

Are you using a new shaving soap or cream by any chance? The fact that it isn't reacting to the distilled water is interesting.

Hmm, no not really. The only new thing is that I have been mixing in a few drops of trumper's skin food with my shaving cream. But then, my DD Wonderedge does not react badly to this.

I agree that the distilled water is a good sign. I will try with tap water today. It is starting to look like there's a specific combo of this razor vs my specific water and/or lather that leads to the oxidation. I am also still thinking that the fact that the razor is brand new also might have something to do with it, so I am leaving it as much open to the air as possible so that it can hopefully obtain a microscopic patina or something.

I am starting to think that there is something to this patina theory. Many knife forums say the same thing: carbon steel is much more resistant to rust if you develop a thin layer of patina by simple usage. I took a look at my older razors and even though some of them are quite shiny, they do have some surface patterns from use. Maybe they were also less "raw" when I bought them, having been on display for a while. My Ralf Aust carbon steel razor was/is very shiny, one of the shiniest razors I have seen, I would almost compare it to polished silver. Maybe this made it vulnerable

So, I am actually wondering if oiling it is NOT the thing to do here. I'm leaving it clean and dry might actually be better for a while. I'll apply some Renaissance Wax when it arrives though (I ordered some polishing materials), as an extra protection for the next shave, but hopefully I won't need it in the long run.