Thread: Disaster - ruined!

I always wax my razors as well as oiling them. You can get renaissance wax or conservators wax. They seem to do well for me. I'm not sure about soaking it in water in your scuttle though. I've never heard of anyone doing that.

Rinsing the blade with hot water (but I wouldn't go up the tang much past the heel) at the end of the shave, drying with a DRY towel and then stropping to clean and dry the edge are all sound practice. After rinsing and drying I lay a dry section of the towel on my open palm and strop on that for 15 laps and leave the razor open to dry for several hours before oiling and putting away. 3 years in, no water spots.

I think the main reason not to keep razors in your bathroom is because if that's where your shower is, it's just a damp environment. I keep mine in a pipe rack on my dresser.

Rince and dry your razor is OK, but let it dry outside your bathroom before putting oil on it. I mean: even if you dry it, it is not going to be perfectly dry and when you put oil on it the remaining wet is trapped between oil and razor. You must be sure that it's perfectly dry before applying the oil and the only way is to let it stay sometime (15') in a dry place that cannot be your bathroom.

Thanks all...some good sound advice - will do!

I've read a coating of renaissance wax will also help protect the blade...you guys agree with this?

Sheesh - figured I was doing well on the shaving aspect, going slow, no new razors, no honing, just enjoy the journey, and of all things I get sniped by maintenance...just goes to show you!!

What you are describing is almost like cell rot. it's some kind of chemical thing, not a normal occurrence. it almost sounds like a disaster I had once. I had a merkur vision DE and I soaked it in some Clorox and it ate the finish off leaving a grey discoloration and pitting in the metal. Good thing I didn't like the razor to begin with.

I feel for every new SR user when they buy a new razor and get water damage. Even a fingerprint left on a carbon steel blade will eventually cause rust.

Many of us are kitchen knife fanciers and have learned that there are many natural foods and household products which will stain carbon steel immediately on contact, or while in storage. Razors must never touch such products.

I clean, dry, and apply a protective coating after each use making certain that there is no moisture anywhere between the scales. Water is always a hazard to carbon steel razors during shaving and honing. I try to never get water between the scales and if I do, I take immediate action to dr everything immediately.

I hope that your razor can recover its new appearance. After I rinse the blade up to the shank with hot water, wipe dry, and strop on linen and leather, I wipe the razor with mineral oil, or a good gun oil for long storage. I also use Renaissance wax. Be sure that the blade is dry before wiping with protective coatings. Never store razors in a damp environment. Carbon raisors need to be inspected and recoated from time to time.

There is something to be said for good stainless razors such as the vintage Friodurs, which greatly reduce the risk of rust and staining.

HTH

Originally Posted by Phrank

I've read a coating of renaissance wax will also help protect the blade.

Or paste wax will also work.

These posts amaze me as I NEVER get water spots on ANY of my blades ever.
Never have,rinse the blade in the hottest water your tap can provide,wipe with a tissue, set aside a few mins,the blade will dry itself 100% spot free.
Now,couple thoughts for new users,You get any blood on that blade,it will spot in a heart beat,you get alum on that blade,you will get the same.
JMO

To prevent rust, wipe, don't rinse the blade. Keep it away from your brush, scuttle or other sources of humidity & never put acid on your blade ie lemon juice.

If someone uses the blade on their armhair there is no guarantee their body chemistry will not rust the edge as well.

Don't that blue sanitizing stuff gots some anti rust stuff in it.
Plus it kills all the nasty stuff I don't want to catch in life.
I love it how ya dip something with a tiny dot of rust on it that stuff.
then take it out a few minutes later rust is gone.