Thread: High Humidity Maintenance

I live in NE Missouri - for those of you that don't know, I think it's probably one of the most humid places on earth! Well, maybe not quite that extreme, but during the summer months it's virtually impossible to go outside for more than a few minutes and not get sticky and/or sweaty. I've heard tons of great advice on thoroughly drying razors and storing them in a dry place, but, unfortunately, I don't really have a dry place in my home. The A/C should take care of it while I'm at school, but we don't have any of that nonsense back home (I wish). Anyway, what would be the best way to care for my razor to prevent rust? Also, I don't have the manliest layer of facial hair, so I can get by with shaving about once a week (twice if I need to look extra nice). This means that there is usually about four or five days between shaves for me. Would a nice camilla oiling be helpful after each shave?

Thanks!

Any non toxic oil would do, camilla is great as is mineral oil. Be sure to dry the blade thoroughly, as well as the scales inside and out, then wipe with a clean cloth impregnated(not dripping) with oil. Keep the cloth in a ziplock type baggie so as to keep it from picking up dust and dirt. It doesnt take much.

I also live in a very humid location and I only oil if I am storing a razor away for a while. I hate the feel of it on the tang even after I have rinsed it off. I just don't like it. But when I have to I use Camilia (tsubaki) oil or Balistol.

What I have done in the past is just make sure that the blade is dry and in between the scales. I kept my razors individually wrapped in a tissue and in a ziplock bag with a few silica satchels in it. I have never had a razor rust or have water marks marr the finish.

I now have a razor roll and keep them in that, but also in a drawer with a dehumidifier next to the razor roll. Never had a problem, and the humidity here can be pretty high year round.

Good luck.

Oh, and some people will recomend Rennaisance Wax. It can be applied and then you don't have the oil to deal with.

My routine for keeping my razors safe after use is to run very hot water over the blade to heat the metal. I then dry it. If I need to oil it, I use just a drop in the pivot pin area. I then store them in a display case with with the blade slightly open. I use silica packets in the case to control moisture. San Antonio is also very humid and the case is in my bathroom. I have had no problems keeping the razors in great shape.

Welcome to the SRP.

Sounds like you have a game plan and are doing great. All the above is the way to go. Another way is using stainless razors. They are more rust resistant than the carbon steel razors in the humid areas. As mentioned, I use hot water to heat the razor then dry well. No problems with any of my razors doing this.

Rick

My house in Iowa was built in 1870 and my basement, where my razors are stored, is quite humid in the summer. I also have a set of razors stored in a locker in a gym. I do two things to protect my razors. First, I dip my razors in a 0.5% solution of mineral oil in isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) after every shave. This removes water from the blade when the alcohol evaporates and the residual oil protects the blade. I have never had any corrosion issues using this strategy.

Second, I keep my favorite razors in a box containing a perforated bag of rice, which serves as a very cheap, and edible, desiccant.

I do not like stainless myself so I am stuck with Carbon steel so I do the following.

1. When done shaving and ready to put the razor down on a dry towel I rinse with hot water to heat the blade and wipe with a towel.
2. Blow out the water in the scales by facing the edge of the blade away from me.
3. I let it set open while I rinse up my bowel, face and scuttle.I then coat the blade. I use an applicator that I got from Japan woodworkers. It has a top to it. I personally use Ballistal for an oil.

I included a pic of the applicator which has a red screw on cap. It works very well and I don't worry about cutting myself.


Take Care,
Richard

I also have one of those black applicators with the red lid. I filled it with TuffGlide and use it on all the razors in regular rotation. For those razors I don't use regularly, I use a coating of Japanese Camelia oil. I have found that razors should be treated ASAP to prevent water stains but if one occurs, I clean it up with MAAS.

So far, I've been able to keep my razors in very good condition with no stains or rust. Knock on wood...... Jerry
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Hi,

+1 on Tuf-Cloth/Tuf-Glide; I live about 50 yards from the sea, and these products have kept the rust at bay on my razors. They leave a dry surface after the carrier has evaporated.

Best regards

Russ