Thread: Tarnish and rust

Good day everyone,
I am now about ten shaves into my str8 experience and have not touched the safety since! My shaving, honing, and stropping technique are all progressing well. I have four razors in my rotation, a DOVO classic 5/8, two Chinese Double Arrows, and a Wapi. The DOVO was first and what I am seeing now after about a month are some dark tarnish spots on the spine and some very light rust spots on the blade. I have been very careful to dry my blades well after each shave but I do live in Austin TX where the humidity is well above 80% most of the time. First, how can I get rid of these spots before they turn into pits and second, what is the best kind of oil to treat the blades with between shaves? Can I use the neats foot oil I have for the strop? I have not seen this problem on any of the blades yet but it's probably only a matter of time.

Thanks,

Everyone has their favorite formulation. I like Sterol but there are many others. Some use the neatsfoot and there is Tuffglide and A.J Russell makes no rust. Others will chime in with their favorites. You just want to avoid oils that might become rancid and oils that might affect your skin. Stuff like 3 in one oil for instance I wouldn't use.

I use mineral oil, just because it's what's at hand. After drying my razor I keep it in a tupperware container with a bunch of silica gel packs thrown in. Just have to make sure I don't confuse them with the humidity packs for my pipe tobacco

I use camelia oil after cleaning the blade with alcohol. I figure if it is good enough for Japanese swords, it is good enough for my razors. Seriously, I had some rust formulation with Tuffglide but have had absolutley no problems since starting to use Camelia Oil. I have been using it for over a year.

I live in South Florida and the humidity is high here more often then not. I wipe the razor after use with a Kleenex tissue then I wipe it again with a Hoppe's Silicon Gun Cloth impregnated with R.I.G. which is rust inhibiting grease. They used to carry it in gun shops. Not sure anymore. I have a can from years ago.

Thanks guys,
Great suggestions on the prevention end, I will definitely start using some sort of oil after use. Any ideas on how to remove the spots that have already popped up on the DOVO?

Thanks again and in advance!

Maas and Flitz are used by most here I think.

Originally Posted by netsurfr

I use camelia oil after cleaning the blade with alcohol. I figure if it is good enough for Japanese swords, it is good enough for my razors. Seriously, I had some rust formulation with Tuffglide but have had absolutley no problems since starting to use Camelia Oil. I have been using it for over a year.

IMHO it is the best way to go. Others will keep the rust away as well but you have to put this on your face WD 40 works great but rubbing WD 40 on my face does not thrill me

Originally Posted by Kees

Maas and Flitz are used by most here I think.

+1 on the Maas or Flitz. If you cannot find those items then you may want to pick up some Brasso in the hardware department. If you cannot find that, then just about any metal polish in the auto parts store will work pretty well.

Originally Posted by foundlingofdollar

I use mineral oil, just because it's what's at hand. After drying my razor I keep it in a tupperware container with a bunch of silica gel packs thrown in.

Where do you find the silica gel packs? (I mean...without buying a half dozen sport coats.)

Thanks,
Christopher