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So haven't used my 2 month old Hart Steel polished razor in a few days. Took it out the sheath, out the box to see a huge blackish spot. It looks like rust unfortunately, but I was sure to dry off the blade and the scales as best as I could before putting away. This could not be such a fragile piece of equipment, could it? See pic
Black or gray staining is often caused by soap residue left on the blade. It will lead to rust. Whatever caused it, it's likely that you can remove it with one of the metal polishes (Maas, Flitz, etc). You'll just have to be really careful about rinsing and drying the blade in the future.
Given your location, you might want to try to find a low humidity location to store it (certainly not in the bathroom). You may have to resort to storing it in a container with desiccant packets of some sort.
Good luck.
rs,
Tack
I agree with Tack. Also do not store your ta in the sheath. It needs air to breath and stay dry.
I always let my blades air dry for several hours after use. If there is any moisture on the blade or in the scales when you put it away it can get trapped in there. I set them out in a safe place with the blade slightly opened with just the bevel between the scales.
+1 on Tack and the others comments.
Peek inside the scales - it's easy to get a small amount of moisture and/lather inside the scales to lie in wait...
You can carefully pass a folded piece of bath tissue through the scales to clean then (mind the edge as you have to hold the razor in the open position in one hand when you do this)
If you got the Hart new is should have come with a small bottle of oil - a tiny drop will protect both sides (again, mind that edge)
If you are going to polish it out be incredibly careful around the edge, yes it is fragile but more importantly it will make a real mess of your hands if you slip, if possible I would try to keep your working hand on the spine side and your other hand out of the way of the blade.
Some guys will blunt and or tape edges before working on the blade but this will necessitate re honing afterwards.
I had a similar problem before and realized that I was not cleaning the blade of soap and there was moisture inside the scales.. an easy mistake, easy prevention.
Good suggestion on safety.. I cut my finger bad cleaning that blade off, its so sharp that the cut can go quite deep before you know it. Couldn't find a bandaid or skin tape, didn't want to use masking or duct, so I sprayed some rubbing alcohol in there, let it dry and glued it shut with CA. Then off to work.
Gentle use of a hair dryer and then oil was suggested to me a while back by my grandfather before he passed away at 95. Wish I asked more questions. :) he was a barber.