Thread: Is storing a razor in a leather pouch bad for it

It depends on the tanning process they used on the leather, some can be quite aggressive to metal.

Good info here.

It does depend on a lot of things. A proper patina on steel will reduce many concerns (though few seem to appreciate a patina on razors). How the leather is prepared and what sort of leather it is also plays a large part, as does how the steel is prepared.

If you put them up wet...it wont mater if you wrap them in an oil cloth

There are in fact knives and guns that have spent 100+ years in leather storage...and any signs of wear or patina make them more beautiful and appropriate (IMO)...but then again, we are not necessarily talking about an item that (some) people WANT to see patina on.

Originally Posted by unit

A proper patina on steel will reduce many concerns (though few seem to appreciate a patina on razors).

I don't know if it is equivalent, but the New River Gorge Bridge, in West Virginia, was built with a steel that was designed to acquire a surface corrosion, A.K.A. patina, to protect the steel from rust that would have required maintenance/painting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weathering_steel

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I don't know if it is equivalent, but the New River Gorge Bridge, in West Virginia, was built with a steel that was designed to acquire a surface corrosion, A.K.A. patina, to protect the steel from rust that would have required maintenance/painting.

Actually this is fairly common. We have a HUGE production plant outside of town here that they intentionally put on metal siding that would rust. For the first year it was a total eyesore until it rusted, then, as predicted, it blended in with the rock bluffs surrounding it and is an attractive looking building.

I am not sure of its age, but it is over 30 years and the treatment has outlasted the company which now operates under a new name and to my knowledge the building has never been painted or otherwise treated.

The point here is that somewhat controlled oxidation of metals can be beneficial. Gun bluing is an example of this.

Does anyone know which tanning processes is ok for making a razor sheath?

The leather cases are just for transporting the razors, just like the gun analogies above. The best are from vegetable tanned leather. Chrome tanning is more caustic to the steel. But, long term storage in either is risking tarnish and rust.

All razors should be stored with a coat of oil on the blade. For daily use, and short term storage, My current favorite is Ballistol. For long term storage, I prefer RIG gun grease.

I hope this helps.

Just as a head's up, I don't store razors or guns in leather. The worst offenders are cases with sheepskin linings. They wick water out of the air in a humid climate like a spongue. Neither do I store razors in their original box. Cardboard will do the same thing. This might not be a problem in a arid climate, but in Alabama or the gulf coast it is just asking for trouble. Very Best, John

Hey there,

I am just curious what people think about a leather storage container, with holes in to allow airflow. Just a thought here but no matter what I put my razors in I oil them, and then I put a few of those absorbent silica balls packs in there too for insurance.

Thanks

Carl - SRH

I did a restore for a veteran who left his SRD TI razor in the blue leather pouch while he was deployed. All of the blade that was not in the olivewod was rusted after a few months. There is a thread here somewhere about two years old showing the razor. I was able to save the razor, but highly recommend not storing the razor in the leather.