Thread: Is a bit of patina a bad thing

Hi guys,

I've been looking a some of the shave of the day pics and some of the vintage razors.

I've come by several some which just needed a little polish and hone and a couple more which needed 'the works' as Mr Miller put it.

Got me thinking, is an item made 120+ years ago and still I use today meant to be mirror polished or is a clean up and letting the blade show its age enough?

Hi Dave.
I would say it's a matter of taste. Personally I prefer an old look were the time and usage shows. An old razor that is polished to mirror finish says only that the owner cleaned and polished it. As for an old cleaned razor with a pitting here and there says: I'm old but still in use.
Regards: Ullmencott

Guess it depends on your level of OCD. My razors are modern Dovos.They are losing some of their shiny newness,but I'm ok with that. Personal preference I say. Unless your razor is just plain corrosion city.

On the few old ones I have the corrosion has been there a long time and there are some bad patches.

I have seen a few others I like the look of where I thought it gave some character.

Not a bad thing at all! There was a time when I wanted to 'mirror' polish everything but now I've learned to appreciate patina

I might leave some patina but heavy corrosion would get the works then I would let them regain a patina. Kind of a polish but not to mirror shine.

I like my razors the way Cromwell instructed the artist to paint his portrait ....... "paint me as I am, warts and all."

As long as it is clear on the edge I'm good with it. Most of my razors have a touch of patina (only two of my razors i bought new). I like that they look their age

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I like my razors the way Cromwell instructed the artist to paint his portrait ....... "paint me as I am, warts and all."

That there is a cool looking razor. It's like the old man in the pub you wouldn't tangle with. You can see he's been around a while but could still dance if he needed to.

Black rust (ie patina) helps prevent red rust. Red rust will flake off and eat into the steel, black rust forms and stays put, helping prevent further oxidation.