Thread: Razor Care

I got my first razor (a wapi) not too long ago, and Ive noticed since I've owned it, certain parts of the tang have gotten darker/blackish, as well as a few dark spots on the blade. I believe this stems from oxidation, but I ain't an expert, so I wouldn't trust my analysis for fact.

What's the proper way to take care of the razor, so I can avoid this in the future, and is there any way to reverse the effects from my mistreatment?

Thanks in advance for the help,
Tex

You'll probably get a few different answers, but I like to clean my razors very well after each usage. I rinse the razor well and then rub it down good with a cotton ball saturated in iso-proplyl alcohol. I then dry it with tissue. and set it aside while I put away my shaving stuff. I will then strop about 10 or 12 passes on the linen and about the same on the leather. This assures me the edge is dry. I then will coat the razor blade with Camellia oil and, also, put a drop of oil on both sides of the inside of the pivot pin. - and I put her to bed until next time.

I suppose any light oil will do, even mineral oil. There are several very good products out there. "Militec1" a fabulous synthetic product used in the gun world, "Tri-Flow" - used on bicycle chains & moving parts, "Tuf-Glide" by Sentry Solutions is another. I like the Camellia oil only because it is very pure and free of solvents, non-toxic, & non-allergenic, and most of all, it is used on Samurai Swords; and, I think that's really cool. Nothing but the best for my razors!

* I believe the Wapi's have a tendency to rust a bit more than most blades. If you don't protect them with a rust preventative product, the will start showing little rust spots after a while.

Regards,

Steve

+1 for Zepplin's comments. I treat razors with Tuf-Glide and I will use a drop of sewing machine oil on them too.

I dry my razors and leave them slightly open all day so continue drying. I only oil them occasionally.