Thread: Keep rust from razor?

I would appreciate advice on keeping rust off a razor. I have been using a half hollow razor and I usually rinse the blade under water when shaving. When done I rinse it under hot water and dry with a tissue, strop a few times, and leave the blade open laying on the side.

I started using a full hollow and I noticed today it had some small marks that look like rust, some on the bevel, but not right up to the tip. I honed it on the Norton 4 and 8K, but didn't remove it.

I would appreciate advice on what to do about this. Can I use it as is or will it get worse, or do I need to hone it more?
How to prevent this? Maybe I didn't wipe the blade close enough to the edge. I wasn't sure if I should wipe the blade close to the edge when drying, or if that would dull it. Also if I need to wipe the blade during shaving.

Thanks

I always dry the whole blade starting at the spine going to the edge.Then wipe a new coat of oil on it.If you don't want to get your fingers in on the drying do a few lite stropping passes on a folded terry cloth hand towel.I've been doing this 7 months on the 2 full hollows I have with no rust or other deposits.

Stropping it should have removed any water still on the bevel. If you have a loupe you could try checking it to see what it is. If it is a a vintage razor might be cell rot that caused some tiny pitting. As for getting rid of it honing would eventually take it out, but that is up to you. Rust has a tendency to grow until taken care of. Keeping oil on it might slow it down some. It could take many years for it to advance or it could take days. I would keep an eye on it if you aren't going to hone it out. Make sure it is dry after shaving cause any water that gets in there will make it advance faster. I always give my razor a few passes on a bench strop after shaving. That is after I rinse, wipe off and let my razor air dry while I finish cleaning up.

After using a razor I rinse the whole straight under warm water and make the whole straight dry with a tissue. Then I leave the straight with an open blade resting on an old clean and dry T-shirt.

A few hours later the straight goes back in its stand. I have never spotted any signs of rust or other marks. The air condition in which I keep my razors are good, dry and no humidity.

Is the place in which you keep the razors dry? Moisture can be devastating.

Originally Posted by Edwardd

I always dry the whole blade starting at the spine going to the edge.Then wipe a new coat of oil on it.If you don't want to get your fingers in on the drying do a few lite stropping passes on a folded terry cloth hand towel.I've been doing this 7 months on the 2 full hollows I have with no rust or other deposits.

Do the same. Except with tissue paper. A light machine oil. The one I use is a gun oil.

For the life of me I do not understand people having rust issues on razors.
All my blades in rotation are Carbon steel,I have never seen one speck of rust on any of them ever.
Just pay attn to never get the scales wet,not even the tang,is no reason to do so.Never shave with wet hands.
Rinse in hot water,dry the blade with a tissue,give it a few strops on leather,make a stand to set the razor on overnight in an open postion.Next day oil the blade with a potion of your choosing.
I use mineral oil,a roll of cotton gauze saturated with oil in a closeable plastic container has served me well for yrs.

I also find that a quick blast of an air duster will help blast any water you may gotten between the pivot and the scales out.

Razor stands are simple to make,no need to get fancy,a block of wood with a peg in it will serve you well.

That Powell is a beast!! Love it.

Thanks for the stand ideas - something like that may be my next project.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

That Powell is a beast!! Love it.

Thanks for the stand ideas - something like that may be my next project.

And a great shaver to boot,another type stand idea,Damascus on a base,it rotates on a rare earth magnet.