Thread: Steel crystalization problem

I noticed on certain old blades that there seem to be spots that resemble crystals or snowflakes. No matter how much Maas I use (or even 0000 steel wool) they do not go away. Can anyone tell me what they are and how to get rid of them?

Have any pictures?

But my blind guess is going to be sanding or buffing with compounds

Some steels, (D2 comes to mind), never really take a good polish. This is because of the large carbide structure. I hope that this isn't the case with a razor, though. Big carbides are not good for a fine edge.

Originally Posted by jtischler

I noticed on certain old blades that there seem to be spots that resemble crystals or snowflakes. No matter how much Maas I use (or even 0000 steel wool) they do not go away. Can anyone tell me what they are and how to get rid of them?

Sounds like spider rust and the pitting underneath it...

Welcome to the wonderful world of restoration, where believe it or not MAAS is not the cure all that some would have you believe...

Clean, and hone, does not a restoration make, there is real work under there... Take a look at Brad/undream's excellent new video series, and my illustrated guide to buffing, and it will show you sometimes what needs to be done...

Originally Posted by jtischler

I noticed on certain old blades that there seem to be spots that resemble crystals or snowflakes. No matter how much Maas I use (or even 0000 steel wool) they do not go away. Can anyone tell me what they are and how to get rid of them?

It is a form of corrosion. You can polish it out and it will come back. It is corrosion in the pours of the metal. The only way to stop it is to use a rust converter that will penetrate these points of corrosion and "burn" the rust into a polymer. Then you polish it out and it should not return.

Originally Posted by John Crowley

It is a form of corrosion. You can polish it out and it will come back. It is corrosion in the pours of the metal. The only way to stop it is to use a rust converter that will penetrate these points of corrosion and "burn" the rust into a polymer. Then you polish it out and it should not return.

Mind sharing the name of this wonder product John????

Because those of us that spend hours on the buffers, and those that spend even more time using sandpaper by hand would love to know this....

A bunch of folks make rust converter:

rust converter - Google Product Search

I haven't heard of anyone using it on razors till now. I might give it a shot.

-Rob

Actually Rob you will find multiple references to using it through out the Workshop...

But so far none with any level of success, in fact most of the products do more harm than good... Which is why I asked for the brand name...

Sham actually went though hell and back with using the Potato Peel method just to see if it would work as stated...
But yes, people have tried just about every brand out there, and as of yet, not one has performed even near as advertised...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Actually Rob you will find multiple references to using it through out the Workshop...

But so far none with any level of success, in fact most of the products do more harm than good... Which is why I asked for the brand name...

Sham actually went though hell and back with using the Potato Peel method just to see if it would work as stated...
But yes, people have tried just about every brand out there, and as of yet, not one has performed even near as advertised...

Good to know!

I have only used it on an old refrigerator but I haven't made it shave ready yet so I can't tell you what my experience is there.

I love the fact that you guys are so obsessed. It saves me time!

-Rob

OCD is not a bad thing in Razordom