Thread: Cleaning the blade

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

Out of 42 razors I’ve only had spotting or staining issues with one blade. Still don’t know why, but I’m satisfied with my procedure to keep doing it.

I had a razor that always rusted on one side of the tang. All I could guess was that the oil may have been wiped off on closing if the tang was a bit biased

Another spot that commonly rusts is at the front of the blade faces if they contact the scales on closing. Possibly the same reason or if the scales are wet there.

I’ve noticed the corroded areas where the scales touch the razor too Oz. After seeing so many with ho other evident ‘water wear’ I wondered if the scales themselves could do it. Research did not yield much, but this material preservation site had an interesting mention for cellulose nitrate, it can react with iron. Cellulose acetate didn’t have the same caution though. Scroll down to hazards and safety.

Cellulose nitrate - CAMEO

Arn’t those scales horn?

Originally Posted by Steve56

I’ve noticed the corroded areas where the scales touch the razor too Oz. After seeing so many with ho other evident ‘water wear’ I wondered if the scales themselves could do it. Research did not yield much, but this material preservation site had an interesting mention for cellulose nitrate, it can react with iron. Cellulose acetate didn’t have the same caution though. Scroll down to hazards and safety.

Cellulose nitrate - CAMEO

Well yes, celluloid can be an issue if it gases off as it is acidic but I do believe that organic materials can hold moisture & be a problem also especially if in contact with the blade at a friction point. Only got to look at some pivots to see what trapped moisture does.

I close mine every time and never had a problem with staining/rust. I dry the whole thing on a towel thoroughly then toilet paper the blade and in between the scales all the way from wedge to pivot then strop, then back in the box (I keep all my razors in boxes). I think the cardboard absorbs any trace of moisture that the rest of the process left behind.

I'm thinking some of the toxic dyes on older scales or tannins on later wood scales could play a part too.