Thread: How long can I keep a DE blade in a safety razor without using that razor?

Are we talking stainless or carbon steel? If it's carbon I wouldn't leave it in past shaving or it will rust quickly. If it's stainless (and most are these days) you can leave it in. I've left blades in for weeks and weeks with no problems. For long term storage make sure the blade and razor is dry and kept in a dry place. Stainless can rust if the conditions are right.

I have found that it's best for me to dry the blade, but even then I may get one extra shave out of it...so I don't consider it being worth the hassle, so I leave the blade in the razor. Some blades I get 2 shaves, some I get 3, only blade I ever gotten a good 4th shave out of are the Feather blades. I'm not sure if there are any new production carbon blades, but I just use a DE here and there when in a rush. You can't rush a straight razor, I found out years ago...

I don't leave any blade in a safety razor. I rinse it and set it off to the side. Making sure all of the residue is off of the cutting edge. Wash out the safety razor too. I've seen stainless ( stains less) blades rust in a safety razor head and leave rust in the head. Both in chrome plated brass, and in stainless heads.

I have four DEs in my rotation. I don't remove the blades after shaving, I just loosen the head, rinse thoroughly and blow out the excess moisture. Don't have a problem with rust using stainless blades.

I go by shaves, not by time. 2 or 3 shaves max, I don't care if takes 6 months to get them. Of course, if you notice any rust issues it'll be time to change it, but I never have any problems with it.

I agree that storage is the main consideration - I've had packs of blades go rusty just from having the cellophane wrapper off or the cardboard pack open, kept in a drawer in a very poorly ventilated shower room that suffered from damp anyway. I'm glad to say that the room is no longer a factor as I moved out of the place, but even now I tend not to keep blades in the bathroom at all if I can help it - I keep them in a cigar box in my bedside cabinet now.

I'd imagine that if I'd shaved once with a blade and left it a few days in my bathroom I might get 2 more shaves out of it if I'm lucky (I've got quite sensitive skin so I like to change blades frequently, so your experience may be different). I generally don't put a new blade in unless I'm going to shave, so I'm not sure how long a blade out of its pack and in a razor will last.