Thread: Few questions from a beginner

I have just started using a straight razor and I had a few questions. I bought a new razor/strop from SRD. I was wondering the best way to clean and store it between shaves. It seems that some rust has formed on the blade where it is pinned into the scale. I dried with a towel after use, but I guess there remained some water down in the scale. I was wondering how to dry all the water from the razor and also if I should use an oil on the razor between shaves. Any help is very appreciated. Thanks.

The most important point is to make sure the razor is totally dry after shaving and the scales and pivot points are especially important as you now know. A q tip or some canned air will help but really leaving it out is probably the best way. if you use the razor every day you don't need to oil it unless it's kept somewhere with high humidity. Moisture is really the enemy when it comes to steel blades.

As far as the existing rust goes, you can try using a metal polish (like Maas, or Flitz, or Simichrome) on a Q-tip, or a toothpick, or a length of dental floss, depending on the location.

For preventing future rust, the best approach is to never let the razor get wet. Never hold the razor with a wet hand and if you do rinse the blade with water, dab it off with a towel even during the shave. I prefer to wipe my lather off between my thumb and forefinger (and then I wipe my fingers off on the towel) in order to prevent getting the blade wet. If you do that, the odds of rust is reduced.

I don't think most people oil their blades and yet they get by just fine. I dip mine in a solution of 0.5% mineral oil in isopropanol. You can also just wipe the blade with a cloth impregnated with oil. Some people use a hairdryer. It also helps to leave the razor out in open air to aid evaporation.

Make an effort to not let the part with a pin get wet in the first place.

Other than that, drying your blade after each use (careful not to touch the fragile edge) and then stropping to dry the actual edge is pretty common fare. Weekly wiping with mineral oil is pretty common as well.

I have read a few places that you can use baby oil for protecting blades. I was wondering if anyone knows if this will work, or are currently using this.

I dry mine off with toilet tissue. I take a few folds and get it between the scales moving back and forth. Even when I think its dry I place it open in with one of those silica packets in a cigar box. I have not had any issues (knock on wood) with rust of staining yet.

It is just a matter of getting into a habit keeping them clean and dry no matter what method you use.

Originally Posted by swimlikehell

I have read a few places that you can use baby oil for protecting blades. I was wondering if anyone knows if this will work, or are currently using this.

Baby oil is simply mineral oil with fragrance. I would never put it on a baby, but it's fine for your razor.