Thread: Is it necessary to re-blue?

One of my Dad's old straights is a Bengall blued steel razor. Some of the bluing is heavily worn and has some rust spots. I intend to clean it up with Birchwood Casey blue and rust remover and then polish the blade.

I'm wondering if it's necessary to re-blue. Is there a purpose for the bluing other than aesthetics? Like, maybe, the steel is of such a high carbon content that it needs the additional rust protection? I'm not opposed to re-bluing but just wondering what my options are.

Thanks in advance.

Rust protection was the advertising slogan no doubt but seriously I have never seen it stop rust......
I would be very careful with the BC cleaner near the scales no telling what the reaction might be.... As to re-bluing I have done a couple, but was never that happy with the results... One of these days I am going to try actually hot bluing one and see what happens......

I've had several razors with old bluing and if its warn I just take it off using a dremmel. Once polished up its fine.

There is an easy way to nitre blue using commonly available chemistry. I found this on beartooth bullets website at the follwoing link

Beartooth Bullets > Tech Notes > Marlin Trapper Carbine!

read down until you get to the blueing of small parts. the method would lend it self to use on straights. I would think you would want to blue and then set the bevel and do the honing.

I have an old razor that is blued and I really like the looks of it. Just remember that your blue is only going to be as good as your polishing and prep.

You could also use a classic rust blue using several methods, but the hot nitre salt blue is prbably the easiest.

If someone tries this be careful and then post the results of your blue.