Thread: The rusty edge

The theory says that the razor's edge begins to rust as soon as it is put down and without proper stropping this oxided edge will yield only poor to poorer shaves.

OK, if one accepts this theory, does it explain why no edge on a factory new razor is considered to be shave ready? The edge rusts in the box, package, whatever, and comes to the buyer inevitably deteriorated. Now, does this also tell us that the factory edge may have been shave ready - at the factory - but there is no chance that it could come to the end user in that pristine condition? Of course, this also implies that the master honed edge might become unshavable in transit to the user.



more food for thought, hmmm?

If I'm not mistaken stropping following the shaving/honing removes anything that might cause corrosion and following that with a rust preventative leaves the razor safe from corrosion.

Can you imagine the number of employees needed to give every razor a full and complete shave test. If it passes the HHT which is what DOVO does its good enough, until you the consumer has to shave with it. The blades have a light oil on them when they leave the factory, so I dont think corrosion has anything to do with a new blade. The used/vintage blade is another story.

I think most razors bought new are very well oiled and come in special protective paper so I don't think rust is an issue there. Factory edges are just not the way they should be because they don't want to take the time to do it and we accept that. If you bought a razor in the 1930s and it had an edge like most medern straights bought new people would never accept that and it would be returned and the retailer would be called out on it.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If I'm not mistaken stropping following the shaving/honing removes anything that might cause corrosion and following that with a rust preventative leaves the razor safe from corrosion.

I always strop after drying the razor for that very reason.