Thread: Oiling razor

Lynn also recommends sewing machine oil ... pretty cheap on the internet. I haven't used it yet, but will when my camillia oil is gone since the sewing machine oil is cheaper.

I've read numbers of posts here and at BadgerAndBlade.com in the last few weeks from users who developed spotting on their blades during storage of just a few days. Just make it a habit to oil your blades.

I use Vaseline after every shave. (And, no, it doesn't contain water.)

The biggest culprit of stained blades is when you get the scales or handle wet during shaving. It is incredibly hard to make sure the inside of the scales are dry and even though you make think they are, when you close the blade you will see water staining when you open it next. I always recommend just rinsing the blade as you shave being careful not to get water on or in the scales and then after you dry the blade, leave it open in the air for a while before closing and putting it up.

I still use either Camellia Oil or sewing machine oil for longer storage of my razors.

Have fun,

Lynn

Short term and long term storage are two different things. For short term just about any oil is good as long as it's not something like 3in1 oil which contains other chemicals that you don't want on your skin. For long term storage you want to avoid anything that might go rancid or evaporate.

Silicon is great for longterm storage. I use sterol for short term and AG Russell no rust for long term which is silicon based.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

...For long term storage you want to avoid anything that might go rancid or evaporate...

Long term storage is one reason I use Vaseline. With thinner oils, after time it is clear that the oil has lost effectiveness. It dries out, evaporates to some degree.

When I put away a razor after shaving, I can't 100% predict when I will use it again. So, I store it every night as if it will be a long time until I come back. That is one reason I prefer the thick, viscous Vaseline. Years later, it is still there! But, it wipes off as easily as other oils.

I still get water in the scales when i rinse, might soon kick this habbit but Lynns advice is best and just dont get it in there. But what i do is blow the water out of the scales, with the razor full open and the spine facing my cheek, do at own risk. And then grab it open by the tang, full open, and shack the begebies out of it, to get any drips to fly out, again do at own risk. (learnt that one of Jimbo) A
And then as Lynn said, leave it open, I usually leave it near a window to get a bit of sun and leave it all day.

Originally Posted by mcjacob71990

wow thanks for the speedy reply, i will be purchasing some oil tomorrow probably. Now that i know how to keep the spots from appearing how do i get rid of the ones that are already there?

Oh and what parts do i oil?

Re where to get the oil, i get it all over the face of the blade but also up on the tang as razors tend to rust at the pivot as well. Dont usually pay much attention to the monkeys tail. Problem of course is getting it all of again when you want to use it...

+B

I always use oil on my razors. There is another thing to consider besides the obvious spotting and visual aspect of coating razors and that is protection of the very delicate edge of the razor. I am very confident that the edge is protected from even overnight oxidation, let alone a week.


Later,
Richard

ok i purchased some mineral oil today and put some on my blades with a paper towel. how do you all apply the oil to the blade? paper towel seemed too big (may have worked better if i used less paper towel).

mcjacob71990,

The easiest way is to get a fine cloth, and very lightly saturate it with the oil.

The cloth should not be 'sodden' with the oil.

Apply the oiled cloth to the blade (not the edge), tang & spine. Fold the cloth up, and gently strop the razor across the cloth; this will coat the edge. You only need the thinnest film of oil for day-to-day protection.

You can store the oiled cloth in a ziplock bag or similar.

Have fun !

best regards

Russ

Originally Posted by mcjacob71990

ok i purchased some mineral oil today and put some on my blades with a paper towel. how do you all apply the oil to the blade? paper towel seemed too big (may have worked better if i used less paper towel).

I use this. I comes with a cap that is not shown.


I got mine from Japan Woodworker. The Japan Woodworker Catalog - Search the Site


It works very well because you don't have to get your hands close to the sharp edge.

Later,
Richard