Dovo straight razor damage

I haven't used my razor in a few weeks, pulled it out and there is a black mark i can't get off
right below the spine on the side of the razor blade, I keep putting mother's polish on it daily and
then oiling it with a thin oil, but everyday i keep getting a lot of black, it's like it's never ending black
coming from my razor. Any idea's how I can fix this, i'm a bit concerned about the safety if it get's in my
blood stream from a possible cut.. maybe its black from the strop... Any ideas would be appreciated
PS: it is a fairly new razor maybe 6 months or so and it's a carbon not stainless steel straight razor..

Thanks,
Michael

Can you post a photo of the problem?

How do you post picture, i have 2

It's just the upper part by the spine, not the lower, that must be a reflection

Attachment 166996 just the top by the spine where it is black

Test #1...

Put the razor away next time in a safe spot with it left open, see if the black returns.


A safe spot can be an elaborate drawer the has a padded surface, or something as simple as a free PO box with a soft rag at the bottom that you can put in an inaccessible, safe, dry, spot :D

Attachment 167001

This is what I mean

PS: I never put away a razor closed after shaving, they always sit open in a Safe Spot, usually overnight before they are closed and put away..

The Black is at the top, the part that doesn't go into the wood part, that part is always open,,, the black on the bottom is just a reflection... I'll try what you said and see what happens

Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bigmac55

The Black is at the top, the part that doesn't go into the wood part, that part is always open,,, the black on the bottom is just a reflection... I'll try what you said and see what happens

Thanks

---

Yes I understand where the corrosion is :D

Test #1 will let you know what is going on,

Wood scales, (that would have been nice to know BTW) unless sealed will often absorb a bit of moisture, as that evaporates it will collect right there where the steel meets the scale and cause the corrosion you are seeing :( -or- you are not drying the inside of the scales quite well enough and getting the same outcome..

If this works it let's you know that the issue is moisture from the scales and you have the solution in hand :)

what's the best way to dry the inside of the scales, also should i have bought stainless, what's your opinion???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bigmac55

what's the best way to dry the inside of the scales, also should i have bought stainless, what's your opinion???

---

I simply run a folded piece of toilet paper between the scales before the post-shave stropping, after which I leave the razor open. ALL of the razors that I use are vintage/antique, regular (carbon) steel, and I haven't had any problems with discoloration or rust...yet.

But I have to say that I also oiled my blades after every shave, though I just switched to a Tuf Cloth.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bigmac55

what's the best way to dry the inside of the scales,

Either using the edge of a soft cotton towel or a folded piece of TP are the safest ways I have found.

also should i have bought stainless, what's your opinion???

IMHO it doesn't much matter either way, you still have to care for the razor much the same, I honestly have never seen an advantage or disadvantage with SS vs Carbon

---

Once you find a routine that works for you, this will all be a distant memory anyway :) you just have to figure out what that routine is...

Be thankful that did not happen at the edge. I had a water spot on the edge of one of my Sheffields and it was no different than honing out a chip.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bigmac55

what's the best way to dry the inside of the scales, also should i have bought stainless, what's your opinion???

---

Don't get them wet! Just rinse or wipe the blade itself. Keep water off the scales particularly with natural scale materials as they are really tough to get thoroughly dry as you have already experienced.

Have fun.

after an initial drying with a towel you could try a hair dryer ;)