Thread: What typs of wood are bad for razors?

I understand that some woods have an affect on certain metals & wondered how oak would be with razors?
Tony H

Oak has a high content on tannic acid, and therefor it is generally advised in woodworking not to use non-stainless-steel or iron in conjunction with oak, especially not when in humid conditions. Tannic acid is highly corrosive on iron, and the reaction causes black stains on the oak.
Of course, with razor scales, the wood is bound to be treated with a hermetic CA-coating, which would prevent a lot of what written above. Maybe moist infiltration at the pins and holes would cause trouble. I have no actual experience with making scales for a razor, so I might be exaggerating the possible trouble. Nevertheless, I 'd opt for a stainless blade and brass pins, if I had to do it.
There are other wood species that are high on tannic acid: Walnut and Mahogany among with various others.

Someone with more experience on making scales will have to chime in to tell if what I'm saying presents a real problem. I'm only talking out of regular woodworking experience.

If, on the other hand, your intentions are only to store (dry) razors in an oak box, there will be no problem whatsoever.

Best regards,
Bart.

Thanks for that Bart It was a box I was thinking of
I suppose if it is varnished inside it should be OK

Tony H

Varnish is really not the best thing for scales. You can use it but I don't think it does as good a job as CA or tung oil. I will use shellac as a sealer sometimes but I find varnishes a bit to brittle.

Rest asure, Tony, for a jewelers case type of box, varnish on the inside will do just fine. If it were scales you were making, I would recommend something else, but for the inside of a box, varnish will be just fine. Boiled Linseed oil and wax would be another very good alternative. Anything that seals the wood a bit is fine. Even if you left it blank, it would not pose a threat against a dry razor.

When and if you finish your box, would it be possible to post pictures?
I am contemplating to build myself a "shaving box" in the nearby future.
Always interesting to see what another guy comes up with.

Good luck,
Bart.

I rescaled a Chinese DoubleArrow with custom oak scales. Treated the wood with stain and Tung Oil only. No problem so far. It's part of my weekly rotation.



The "Spanish Point" is also my work.

Originally Posted by CatMan

I rescaled a Chinese DoubleArrow with custom oak scales. Treated the wood with stain and Tung Oil only. No problem so far. It's part of my weekly rotation.



The "Spanish Point" is also my work.

How does the Chinese blade take a hone. I've not read anything about them. I think I've seen them on ebay, but not really sure. Where are they found?
Headdoc

With the double Arrows it kind depends on who you ask. Seem hit or miss.

Originally Posted by headdoc

How does the Chinese blade take a hone. I've not read anything about them. I think I've seen them on ebay, but not really sure. Where are they found?
Headdoc

I too like the Chinese razors. All of the ones I honed and tried have been great. I sell them with no problems. I fully guarantee them and nobody has said anything but good things. The only complaint is the scales. I've started smoothing out the edges or even redrilling them if they are really off. On all of them, I have had to finish the pins. But they are prime blades for custom scales. You can get them here if you want to work up your own.

i gotta take the other end of the spectrum here and say that i do not like those chinese double arrows. i didn't like the feel of the steel, its extremely light. i worked on honing one for days and couldn't get an edge on it that i would enjoy shaving with. yes, it would shave however it wasn't comfortable and nothing i personally would recommend after my experience with it.

thats my take on them. just my 2cents

~J

ps. that rescale job is very nice