Thread: Protecting Your Straight Razor?

I live in a very humid climate that is harsh on anything made of polished steel. First and foremost, I don"t keep my razors in the bathroom. In my climate I see no reason to "stoke the fire" so to speak. Second, I do use Renaissance wax, but only apply it about once a month, and if I forget, the babys might not see wax for a good while. Most important of all, I make sure the razor is DRY, and I mean DRY as a powder house, before I put it up. I do use mineral (baby) oil, but only if the razor wont be used for a good while (weeks). All this being said, I feel the most important thing is to be sure your razor is dry when put away. I keep my razors in felt lined wooden boxes and have never had a rust problem. Best Regards and Happy Shaving, wildhog

I use RenWax quite a lot and I don't think that there are any significant health issues - it remains pH neutral, the spirit evaporates readily leaving just the wax behind, most of which is buffed off anyway. The waxes come from petroleum products and there is a trace of benzen - much less than 0.1% - and although benzene is harmful it is only considered so in amounts exceeding 0.1% so in the minute quantities we are talking about it is insignificant.

I used to use camellia oil, but it doesn't flow (by that I mean 'creep' over the surface of the metal) that readily and tends to leave a thick coating, so I now use ballistol instead, and for real long term storage Tuff-Glide.

For razors in constant use I don't use anything - ensuring that the tang doesn't get wet and thoroughly drying the blade and scales, inside and out, and leaving to dry with the blade open has served me well for years.

Regards,
Neil

Other. Tuf-Glide.

Other. I've never put a thing on any of mine. I just dry the blades obsessively with toilet paper/paper towel when done and very consciously avoid allowing water into the pivot area or the scales at any time. I've never had a problem with rust, be it an old patina-covered blade or a highly polished new-looking thing. I store my razors in a box with a few of those silica gel dessicant packs I found in some clothes pockets. I have no idea if those do anything, but I read about them here.

Originally Posted by Mastershake

I use 3in1 also. I wipe it off prior to shaving so if I cut myself I don't get it in my bloodstream. It seams to work fine, am I missing something?
Samurai warriors used grapeseed oil on their katanas, should we be using this?
How about baby oil? If it's safe enough for your kid's butt it's safe enough for your razor...right?
How about mineral oil? A guy I work with uses that.
Now I'm realy confused.....what is best????

For what my two cents are worth, 3 in 1 works fine,and its been around for a long time,I havent had any problems,nor blood poisoning,so I wont be changing any time soon. IMHO

I just received my renaissance wax and so far much prefer it to camelia oil. It makes the blade really shine pretty and clearly does keep the elements out. I don't like the oily blades and hassling about all the time and the wax seems robust.

Birchwood Casey R.I.G. on a silicone impregnated gun cloth. No worries and no appreciable residue.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Birchwood Casey R.I.G. on a silicone impregnated gun cloth. No worries and no appreciable residue.

I really have to thank you Jimmy for the idea of using gun oil a while back. I had tried all of the ones mentioned in this thread and others, and found the Break Free CLP gun which is also a highly rated product , stay on evenly and does not get gummy or stain over time.

These oils are formulated for the worst conditions of humidity and corrosive perspiration for people who perspire when they carry concealed and for long term storage for collectors. I also belive they are very safe in the way we are using them as well .

Any of the formentioned are good products if used properly, I am just saying what has worked best for me in humid SF your advice saved me much time when breaking out a razor that has been stored for longer periods especially.