Thread: Oiling a straight razor

What is the best way to oil a straight razor? Should I use my hand, a washcloth, or something else? Do I need to oil the actual cutting edge of the razor? Should I oil the sides of the cutting edge and not the sharp part?

Before my brush or even my face gets cleaned, I wipe of razor with dry wash cloth give a few strops on leather. I put camillia oil in a squirt bottle and run a bead of oil on blade. Then I use dry finger and thumb and from Spine to bevel spread oil. Then I go over reast of blade withoil left on finger.Periodically i make sure some oil gets into the pin area cause that is where you always find rust on old blades.
Mike

watched a video by the pastor on this forum - he used pre shave oil for his blades - I thought that was a great idea - gonna try it myself

right now I have camelia oil and just give it a couple spritzes and wipe with finger to spread.

andy

I use a qtip and baby oil for my razor

Originally Posted by mainaman

I use a qtip and baby oil for my razor

Ditto, works very nice, not to mention, smells nice and fresh

I don't like to use oil on my razors because if they are not absolutely dry the oil will just trap the water in the pores of the steal. I prefer to make sure that my razors are properly dry by using a hair dryer on them. However, if I am going away for a month of so I will liberaly coat the whole razor in vasaline, after making sure it is completely dry.

I use Hacket Shaving oil that I tried but didn't like so it goes on the razor.It comes in a little bottle with one of those plunger type things and gives a pea sized drop.If that oil gets on my face it doesn't matter it's for shaving anyway.I've not had any more rust spots since.

A drop or two of camillia oil and I use tissue paper to spread it around and absorb any excess.

If the razor will sit around for 14 days+ unused, then I will give it the oiling treatment. But I think the razor can sit around much longer without any treatment and be fine and I have not tested the duration yet. I always do a good job of cleaning up the straights after using them and I always store them in a dry area.

Pabster

Just watch what you use to oil the blade so that it doesnt contact and dull the edge, I use my finger, it makes you pay attention. And for long term storage I would use a grease rather than oil.

I don't use oil on my razors anymore as I found it unnecessary. When I did, however, I would place a small quantity of mineral oil (baby oil, honing oil, sewing machine oil, food grade white oil) on a tissue and strop the blade across the oily spot. Then, before stropping the blade prior to use, I would clean it by stropping across a clean tissue.