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?

Originally Posted by Westminster

Hi all I have a small cotton rag with a light socking of gun oil and keep it in a small plastic bag to keep it from drying out, after I have finish with my razor ie rinsed and dried I put it in the airing cupboard then later give the razor a wipe over with the oiled rag.

I also use an oiled cloth after I dry my razor. But after the oil I run a dry piece over the blade to remove excess.

As for your rust spot, there is no need to get a new razor if you do not want to. My first razor was a Dovo as well, and after about a month of use I noticed some discoloration where I place my fingers (I wasn't drying the razor properly nor wiping off my finger prints). I treated it by applying a thin layer of oil and using super fine 0000 steel wool. The discoloration has not returned because I now keep better care of my blades. If you are like myself and are bothered by the tiny scratches that steel wool leaves, then you can always polish down the blade.

If you are afraid you may damage the blade there is always the option of sending it off to be treated by a professional. Just don't box it up and hide it away. Rust will take over the blade if you don't keep an eye on it.

Originally Posted by EucrisBoy

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?

"got rid of the razor"? What the ...

I live in foggy damp salt laden San Francisco, and all I do is wipe off with
mineral oil, including the inside of the scales, and have never had any rust,
even on my TI's which are known to be rust prone. I think your not wiping
the inside of the scales good enough.

Originally Posted by EucrisBoy

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?