Thread: Oil on the blade.

I know there is the old saying, there are no dumb questions, but I am really pushing the boundaries here.

I’m patiently waiting for my razor to show up in the mail and while I wait I am preparing and want everything ready for the arrival, the only thing I can’t find is this. I known one of the recommended care items for your razor is to keep it oiled so I picked some Paraffin oil from a local men’s store but I cannot for the life of me find anything on how to apply it and how much to use. How do you folks apply your oil / rubbing alcohol?

I transfered my rubbing alcohol to a bottle with a large mouth opening and just dip the blade in there. As for the oil, I use Mineral Oil and apply it with some TP. I tip the bottle of Mineral Oil on a few sections to create a line in the tissue and then do one swipe to coat the blade (tissue runs along the spine to not cut myself).

You can also just pour a little (0.5% or 1:200) of the oil into a container with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) and let it dissolve over a few days by shaking it occasionally. Then after shaving, dip the blade into the mixture and let it evaporate. The alcohol will take the water away with it and will leave a thin layer of oil behind.

I use exactly one drop of oil. Not 3/4 drop, not 1 1/4 drop.

Any oil is good... Gun oil, camellia oil, mineral oil... All we want is to seal the blade from air and moisture, and that only requires an extremely thin coating... One of those instances where "less is more..."

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have a much better idea now.

Oh I love the name BlacknTan, such a good drink that not many know about.

Originally Posted by MrRyder

Oh I love the name BlacknTan, such a good drink that not many know about.

It is also an excellent breed of coonhound. My brother had a pair of them he named Sonny and Cher. I warned him not to do it, but he wouldn't listen, so we spent hours in the woods in the middle of the night yelling those stupid names.
Anyway, they were sweet dogs.

Mineral oil , paraffinum , unscented baby oil whatever you want to call it i apply it with a Q-Tip. Keeps it oiled and makes no mess.

Originally Posted by TrilliumLT

Mineral oil , paraffinum , unscented baby oil whatever you want to call it i apply it with a Q-Tip. Keeps it oiled and makes no mess.

This is what I do also. As far as I am concerned, too much is better than too little when trying to prevent rust. I use 2 or three drops and spread it around.

Originally Posted by MrRyder

Oh I love the name BlacknTan

Many Irish people would disagree with that sentiment.

Originally Posted by welshwizard

Many Irish people would disagree with that sentiment.

Agreed!

And before we go any further along this line of thinking, let me explain that my tag is derived not from the libation or a reference to Irish persecution in the past. My avatar should give away that I've been a follower of the Black & Tan Gordon Setter for over thirty years.
I was born in Wales directly across from Rosslare, Ireland...