Thread: Razor Storage

Once you can see visible rust on a blade, you have a serious problem. What you cannot see with the naked eye is the oxidation of the microscopic-thin edge of the blade. It is that edge that delivers a close, irritation free shave if it is well maintained and a lesser quality shave if it is not well maintained. It is best to do everything you can to prevent oxidation/corrosion/rusting/pitting of that edge. That means protecting the blade from contact with moisture and oxygen to the best of your ability.

If you have seven blades in your collection, you might get away with poor storage conditions, but as your collection expands, you will need to be more careful with your maintenance routines. Thus, I suggest developing good maintenance habits now so you won't suffer the consequences later. Oiling or waxing your blades, whether it is with Tuf-Glide, Renaissance wax, Ballistol, Ultra Lube, Remington gun oil, camelia oil (the standard oil for use of Japanese swords), etc. is quick, inexpensive and will prolong the life, appearance and utility of your razors.

Also, you want to store your razors in a cool, dry place. That may mean different things depending upon where you live. If you live in a desert, you might be able to store you razors under the bathroom sink. Otherwise, it might not be a good idea. If you live in a hot, humid climate, you might even benefit from storing your razors in a closed container using desiccants such a silica gel. When people give storage recommendations, you have to consider where they live. For example, using a bathroom exhaust fan in Florida might not lower the humidity level as the ambient air being drawn in might be just as humid as the air being exhausted. In northern Minnesota, that might not be an issue. In most places, humidity levels are higher in the summer than in the winter. Thus, evaluate your own particular conditions and adjust accordingly.

In my experience, the only way to not have to worry about your razors getting spots or rusting is to keep them out of the bathroom that you shower in. I kept my razors in my bathroom for some time because, just like you, i liked seeing my pieces on display when i walked in. I soon learned that it's just not fun to see spots show up, and not fun to even have to worry about it.
I don't use oil on my razors that are in rotation, and as long as i keep them dry an neat, i don't run into problems. I know that's not everyone's experience though

I keep my razors in several felt rolls and some in a tote box. None are stored in the bathroom. All are stored in my bedroom. All of my razors are dried carefully after I shave, I give it a few laps on a newspaper or linen strop, then place a drop of mineral oil on each side carefully covering the blade face, spine and edge and then put back in storage until their next use. I have experienced no difficulties with rust.

One additional note...if you have any scales that are celluloid be mindful not to store them in the same containers as your other razors. And never store in direct sunlight. As I understand...the celluloid (especially of the clear variety) can deteriorate over time and the off-gassing of the celluloid is corrosive to metal. Would like to hear from others on this matter. I hope I have my facts straight...

Aloha!

In Hawaii we have two things in abundance. Salt air and high humidity. We have one thing in low abundance, air conditioning. Most condos, apartments and homes have no heat or AC and are generally "OPEN" to the environment with huge walls of sliding glass doors and large windows with screens. Cold? Close the windows (maybe two nights a year in Hawaii in January when it plunges to 62 degrees overnight). Hot? Open the windows and doors and turn the fans on. Ceiling fans are the order of the day in Hawaii. So it really does not matter WHERE I store my razors, it's HOW I store them. The bathroom is no more or less humid as any other room as you typically don't take a hot steaming shower when it's 85 degrees.

Trade winds are (thank goodness) typically blowing, and there are ceiling fans in every single room to keep air moving. You learn to keep metal protected in a tropical environment. Products like Tuf-Glide are mandatory for me. Anti-Dessicant packs like "Damp-Rid" are in my drawers where I store my Razors. Someone on a similar thread suggested throwing in some dry rice to suck up the moisture. Not a bad idea, and we sure have a bunch of rice with our Asian population in Hawaii, but this attracts ants, so that's out. I also collect vintage audio equipment (Hi Fidelity Stereo products from the 60s-70s) and that is a real chore keeping the outside panels and cabinets looking good as well as the electronics in good operating condition. Like Razors, I need to stay on top of it with products like Scott's Liquid Gold. Moving air is the key along with protecting the metal from oxidation in such an evironment. Air Conditioning would be the easy answer, but why live in a tropical paradise and then close the doors and windows and pump in conditioned air? The good news is with all the humidity, you need very little moisturizer on your skin.

-Mahalo

-Zip