Thread: Black on Blades After Shaving...

Hi,

I try to clean my razor thoroughly after shaving. Though sometimes when I begin the next day I see a hit of a black/gray spot here and there on the blade. So:

1. What is it?
2. How do I get rid of it?
3. How do I keep it from coming back?

Thanks in advance.

The grayish-black spots are caused by water or lather that is sitting on the blade. What you're seeing is an initial patina that will eventually turn to rust, or pitting, or other "bad" things. The good news is that in this early stage, it can be polished out with little effect to the razor (excpet maybe loss of polish uniforminty or goldwash removal).

If its appearing even though you're wiping down the blades, then check to see if water or lather is getting into the scales. If it is, then that's how it's getting transferred to the blade. Unfortunately, I have experience with that on a vintage, mirrir-polished wedge. Try using a hairdryer to thoroughly dry the razor - blade, scales, pivot. Also use a protectant (e.g., camelia oil, mineral oil, Ballistol, Clippercide) to displace any remaining moisture and coat it from the environment while not being used.

I've found that a pencil eraser works great to remove dark-colored spots left by water on the blade...

After the sanding and buffing to get an old blade ready for shave duty, I will give it a final hand polish with MAAS (I also wheel polish with it as a last step in buffing) and then give it a couple coats of carnauba wax. A couple of months later they are still as shiny as when I polished them and the water beads and rolls off the blade when rinsing. I just give the blade a good towel dry after I finish and put it away.