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

I saw a comment somewhere, not sure where, that prolonged storing of a razor or knife in a leather sheath is bad for it. something about the oils from tanning the leather having some type of negative reaction with the steel. Or the leather holding moisture around the razor.

Any truth to this or any opinions on it.

Very bad, IMO. Moisture cannot get out, the leather soaks it up and is in direct contact with the razor.
I would not recommend it. The razor should be in a dry place where air can circulate somewhat.

Not so good, like storing a firearm in a leather holster for a long time.

Bad JuJu!! Unless, you want to turn the blade Green and have it stuck inside the scales.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Not so good, like storing a firearm in a leather holster for a long time.

Very good analogy!

A leather pouch is great to transport razors and protect them while doing so. I use them to take razors back and forth from my shop for shave tests and installing in my rotation and back as they need a tune. Hirlau's gun analogy is good. I have seen many firearms rusted badly by storing them long-term in a hard case with foam, fabric and leather soft cases. Temporarily, no problem. Long term, notsomuch.

Yes! as long as it can breathe is good. Some leathers do not pose problems. I have an old hunting knife which lives in it's sheath, and has patina, but no rust. The sheath is old and dryed out. I think newer leather is going to have moisture in it. Only natural!

I've got razors from TI, Wacker, and IIRC Tim Zowada furnishes a leather pouch. I also have one from Hart that came with one and come to think of it my Livi snake has a sheath. I don't store any of them in the leather and wondered why they furnish something that is known to cause corrosion. OTOH, like Tom said, good for transporting a razor.

I have heard all my life not to store a firearm in a leather holster (Kydex presumably OK) or a knife in its sheath. So, I would imagine a razor shouldn't be stored in a leather pouch by that account. We all live in different climates with different humidities so your results may vary. The only way to be sure would be to run an experiment. Anyone up for it? Maybe we could get Mythbusters to try. For myself, at this point I'm playing it safe.

Since 2008, I've been storing seven of my finest, favorite straight razors in one of these brown deerskin pouches, with no damage, whatsoever, to either the blades or the scales.

Perhaps the problem is that you treat your razors like your women horses: "...and put-up wet."