Thread: How often do others oil the blade to prevent rust?

Are most straights stainless steel? If it's stainless, it shouldn't need oiled. If not, I would keep a light coat of oil on it at all times.

Most straights are carbon steel & even stainless can rust tho not as easily.

I keep my razors in a box with a container of rechargeable silica gel to eliminate humidity and I still put oil on the blade after every shave. I guess I am paranoid that the blade will rust and what harm will it do to oil it.

I oil my razors only when putting them in storage after taking them out of my active rotation. The razors that I use in my active rotation never get oiled and I've never had a rust problem even though I keep them in my bathroom and live in south Louisiana (one of the most humid areas in the country). And they stay in my active rotation at least three months at a time. However, after each shave I carefully dry the razors very, very well and then strop them on a cloth strop about 50 strokes.

I live in a place with high humidity, so I don't keep my razor in the bathroom. I shaved twice with it and felt I had wiped it clean after both times. Even so, after the third shave I discovered I have a black discoloration on the shank. I'll be oiling it with camellia oil after each shave from now on.

Yeah, stainless does rust too. Got spots on a nice, new utility knife...didn't dry it right away. Though I then wonder why stainless steel dishwashing sinks don't rust. Galvanized, possibly?

On the topic of oil, in the sword collecting circles, organic oils are avoided because of the concern that they will eventually go rancid and get smelly and whatnot. I stick to mineral oil. Though this may not be an issue if you're removing/replacing the oil daily. We're pretty concerned for our sheaths as well. You just can't get it out once it's in.

How do you remove it before you strop/shave? Do you bother? Seems weird to be shaving with an oily blade. Does it affect the strop performance in any way?

Is this in the wiki? Did I miss it?

Questions, questions, questions....

Originally Posted by stevepoppers

Yeah, stainless does rust too. Got spots on a nice, new utility knife...didn't dry it right away. Though I then wonder why stainless steel dishwashing sinks don't rust. Galvanized, possibly?

How do you remove it before you strop/shave? Do you bother? Seems weird to be shaving with an oily blade. Does it affect the strop performance in any way?

Is this in the wiki? Did I miss it?


Questions, questions, questions....

Stainless sinks will likely have more chromium etc to prevent rust but leave a wet tin can on a stainless sink overnight & tell us if the sink rusts

I just wipe the blade with tissue paper pre strop. What's left won't hurt the strop.

buddyjason,

+1 on the Sentry Solutions Tuf-Glide

I use it after every shave, and also on the blades I have in my rotation to protect them during storage.

It is a dry-film protectant, and you don't need to remove it before stropping.

Always let your razor dry thoroughly before you use a protectant on the blade !! After shaving, I rinse my blades with very hot water, dry, strop and then let sit for an hour. That way I know that all the blade (including the edge) is nice and dry.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Originally Posted by PhatMan

buddyjason,

+1 on the Sentry Solutions Tuf-Glide

I use it after every shave, and also on the blades I have in my rotation to protect them during storage.

It is a dry-film protectant, and you don't need to remove it before stropping.

Always let your razor dry thoroughly before you use a protectant on the blade !! After shaving, I rinse my blades with very hot water, dry, strop and then let sit for an hour. That way I know that all the blade (including the edge) is nice and dry.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

I never thought of using Tuf-Glide even though I use it on all my guns. I have all there lubricant products and it is top of the line gun care lubes. There is even a cloth that you can get that is coated in their lubricant so you can just rub that on the blade.

Sentry Solutions - Dry Lube - Tuf Cloth - CLP - Gun Care - Knife Care - Oil Free - Rust Protection

I use it after every shave. I use an applicator. If you don't oil it...you would probably be ok. It is just cheap insurance because one day you will get a nice little spot on your expensive Robert Williams razor and you WILL be PO'ed at yourself.



Good applicator and keeps your hands away from the edge. I got mine from Japan Woodworkers but I would think any good Japanese knife store will have them.

Later,
Richard