Thread: How often do you polish your razors?

Originally Posted by Pithor

....I have at it with a bit of newspaper. .....

What is this? Never heard of such a thing

Never have polished my razors. They are what they are. When I look at them I try to visualize where they came from and their histories. Why would I destroy their patina? However, if you like nice shiny objects, polish the hell out of them. After all, they are your razors!

Originally Posted by trondsi

What is this? Never heard of such a thing

Between the micro wood fibers and the ink newspaper is a wonderful polishing tool.

In fact it can be used as a strop. Yes it can!

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

Never have polished my razors. They are what they are. When I look at them I try to visualize where they came from and their histories. Why would I destroy their patina? However, if you like nice shiny objects, polish the hell out of them. After all, they are your razors!

I'm on the other side of that coin. I think of it more like classic cars or motorcycles. I don't want to drive a junker so I keep them polished. About once every three months. I'll just use some metal polish on lint free cloth. My biggest concern being sanitation.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

Between the micro wood fibers and the ink newspaper is a wonderful polishing tool.

In fact it can be used as a strop. Yes it can!

Absolutely! Newspaper is a wonderful product. Years ago we used newspaper to polish windows after washing with soap and water. And a newspaper strop is part of my post-shave routine. Also good for wrapping fish guts!

Originally Posted by Whizbang

Absolutely! Newspaper is a wonderful product. Years ago we used newspaper to polish windows after washing with soap and water. And a newspaper strop is part of my post-shave routine. Also good for wrapping fish guts!

It's also the best way to get the fireplace going.

But I really have to try this newspaper stropping thing

The flooding in Missouri has turned the hill I live on into an island. Knowing I would be "traveling" a few days I packed the dopp kit but forgot my strop. Looks like I got wind of using newspaper as a stropping medium at exactly the right time.

Thank you, my friends!

If you used the same blade each day would you oil it everyday?

I only have a couple that I polish, some nicely restored vintage blades. Most of my razors have their original patina and the rest are slowly developing their own!

For the first time in 5 years, I polished my T-I Oakwing today to remove some water stains. This razor came with a highly polished finish, so the marks bugged me a little. Thankfully, I located my Simichrome which made the work very easy.

I take care to dry my blades completely after shaving, and our climate is fairly dry, so I typically don't have to deal with the need for polishing unless it's a vintage score from the bay or elsewhere.