Thread: Got Rust? The Test.

The new August, 2012 issue of Fine Woodworking has an interesting article, testing 20 of the most popular lubricant/rust preventers, titled “Got Rust”.

They tested on cast iron and tool steel under, somewhat exaggerated condions but the results are most interesting as the vaulted (Camellia oil)rated, “marginal performer”.

The top seven in order were, CRC Industrial 3-36, LPS 3,Moovit, Rust Block, WD-40 WD-40 Long-Term & 3M Rust Fighter.

Over the years I have read a number of threads on the use of oils as a rust preventative and I personally oil my bevels prior to storing a razor in the rotation. Now my “rotation” is not truly a rotation.

I have about 30-40 razors in rotation and add and remove razors as new acquisition arrive. I may use a razor for a couple of days or up to a week. Once a new razor comes out, it gets a wiping of alcohol on a Q tip to remove the oil and both the new razor and one to be stored get a though stropping on linen, Nylon and leather. The old razor get a thin coating on the bevel with a drop of Lucas Gun Oil on a Q tip and stored in a wooded box lined with Un-bleached napkins and napkins in between the layers stacked crisscross 3-4 layers deep. The box is in a drawer with a hand full of Silica packets and shaving soaps.

I leave my current, in use razor out on a tray open to dry on the counter after a through rinsing and drying with a well washed micro-fiber cloth. I have never seen any rust on the bevels even after a year of storage using this method.

I expect almost any oil will provide the same level of protection with the above added precautions. I thought it interesting Fine Woodworking did the research to see which, is the best, most effective oil/rustinhibitor on the market.

Most interesting to me was the ranking of WD40. Personally I love the stuff and use it almost daily, mostly as a degreaser, cleaner and gum/tape residue remover. It is great on stainless steel and for cleaning stainless range hoods.

Keep your razors dry… and oiled.

There are tons of these out there, many Gun mags and sites do them so do Tool guys

What I love is that that top 2-3 performers change quite often but my standard WD-40 the most maligned one of the bunch is always right there in the top 5 always every single test I have looked at, there it is ...
I use WD-40

Did the review include testing of Renaissance Wax?
That has been my preference and so far have no reason to change.

I can tell you from experience that LPS 3 is not a good choice for short term storage of razors. It is thick and waxy. The experience I have with it is coating inaccessible areas in aluminum aircraft. It would be great if you wanted to coat a razor and store it for 100 years though.

No Renaisance Wax, they were looking for 3 things, Rust prevention, Staining on Wood and glue interferance. Also applications were geared to tool table surfaces and most accessable products to the public.

Yes LPS 3 is too greasy for my use on razors as well. As for WD-40 I have never been in a auto restoration shop or any working shop for that matter, where a can is not on the work bench or in someones hand. Malined, yes but it is a workhorse.

I never had a problem using WD40 as a rust preventative when I had firearms so would not hesitate to use it on straights. Metal is metal so it should work equally well on both.

Bob

I also prefer RenWax. It has the added benefit of making the lather rinse away more easily. I put Tuf-Glide on the hinge pin, though.

Personally I would be nervous using WD40 on razors with goldwash, and I doubt scales made with vulcanite (rubber), celluloid, wood, ivory etc would benefit from it either.
Renwax on the other hand was designed to be used on all of these materials and much more without harm over extended periods of time.

Being a "gun guy" I merely use my gun oils - seems to work just fine, and I love the scent lol. However, beware of the gun grease. It's not that it's not great stuff and wouldn't work great especially for long term storage - it's just that many have carcinogens. Read the label.

Thanks for the helpful thread.

Renwax is great stuff without question,but I would not rely on it for storage in damp conditions.
This blade was cleaned with acetone,the left side was givin 4 coats of Renwax,the rgt, just mineral oil,than left outside for a month in the rain,granted,your razors will never be subjected to the same conditions,was just something I wanted to test.
Any oil will work for long term strorage IMO.As Shane states, my concerns are that semi toxic,non-organic oils will wick into scale materials.