Thread: How did my blade rust?

So I had a new Dovo that I was using for a few months. After every shave, I would dry it off with a towel, and cover with mineral oil. Eventually, I would apply alcohol before then dry off, then apply the mineral oil. I found that when I did that once, a few days later I saw a huge brown streak on the razor like someone had smeared chocolate/rust colored stuff, but I couldn't get it to come off so I got rid of the razor and am now getting a new one. What happened and how can I prevent it from happening again?

Don't get any water in the handles.

Originally Posted by Lynn

Don't get any water in the handles.

I always try to dry out every nook and cranny. Was it the alcohol? excess mineral oil?

Alcohol and mineral oil will not encourage rust at all. I would be willing to bet that you didn't let your razor dry thoroughly before storage. Many of us will let our razors air dry for the day before oiling and storing. Personally, I mostly shave at night so in my case I tissue dry and strop my razor after use and let it air dry overnight; in the morning I apply mineral oil and then put it away for storage.

Hopefully this helps.

Do not get the blade wet, wipe the soap and whiskers off on a washcloth or towel.

We live in areas with comparable humidity or lack thereof (I lived in the Provo/Orem area for 7 years) and I can tell you I treat my razors with shockingly callous disregard compared to many folks here and I don't have a spot of rust on any of my 60+ blades. I don't mess with any alcohol or oil. I just dry well which includes running a strip of micro-fiber cloth between the scales and blowing out inside the scales and the pivot area with a can of compressed air like you use on your computer. If you miss a drop of water inside the scales it is pretty much the same thing as putting the razor away wet.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Do not get the blade wet, wipe the soap and whiskers off on a washcloth or towel.

So never rinse off the blade with water?

I just started three months ago but within the first week of having my dovo I had some water spots on it.

I have since stopped rinsing the blade, and I try my best to limit its exposure to water. I shave after I get out of the shower with either a towel around my waist or in my bath robe, so I always dry my hands off completely before I pick up my razor. Prevents rust and makes things a little safer with a more secure grip. I also keep a washcloth to wipe the blade on, just lightly enough to take the bulk of the lather off but avoid the edge. I also always put my razor down on a dry area of the washcloth to make sure I dont bump the blade on something less forgiving like my countertop or faucet!

Generally I give my blades a good wipe down with mineral oil and I try to rub it in pretty well with my fingers all over. Mineral oil is actually a good polishing agent so it keeps my blades nice and clean!

Actually alcohol is slightly corrosive it has enough oxygen in it to oxidize steel. I use it as a solvent on my engraving bench. I keep it in Menda dispenser bottles. These Menda bottles are nickel plated steel and I have to replace them about every three years because the alcohol rust them out over time.

Is it possible that some alcohol was on the inner side of the scales and you missed it?

Also the carbonic acid and salt excreted by your pores in your fingers is also corrosive and can cause rust. This varies from person to person and can be affected by diet as well. If you finger printed the steel in that area and then sealed that carbolic acid/salt in with the mineral oil, holding it against the steel that could also do it.

I once got in trouble as a kid in my dad's shop. The evening before he had finished a knife for a customer. He called me into the shop and ask,"Did you touch this?" Of course he already knew I had because my fingerprint was perfectly tarnished into the metal.

There are a lot of possibilities as to the cause of rust on a razor and many many variables. Have you tried any of the silicone base rust preventatives like a lot of folks use on guns? It forms a great barrier coat and can be wipe off before you use the razor.

Ray

Sorta wierd,my user blades,I just rinse with hot water,dry them off with a towel,leave them open for a day or two,they never rust,and I do not own a SS blade.