Thread: Brand new Dovo is rusting after two shaves... pics included. Please help!

The key here for new folks and old timers as well is to NOT GET THE SCALES WET UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IF POSSIBLE!! This is the single most problem with staining and rusting like this on the blades. It is really hard to get the inside of the scales (some materials worse than others) completely dry. Some really good tips in this thread as well.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by asj1991

I just started out recently as well, so if any of the senior guys think this is a horrible idea, please feel free to shoot this idea down.
Sometimes, when I am in a rush to put my razor away, I dry the blade with a soft cloth, and give the scales a quick wipedown. Then I use my girlfriends hairdryer to blow the water completely out of the scales. It works perfectly. Remember that after you blow through one side, you need to be sure to dry the other side, as the water is often pushed through the scales.
hope this helps!

Just don't use a hot setting or you may warp your scales.

I keep a small jar of carmex(actually a different brand) on my bathroom counter, a quick dip of my finger and a small rub down of the blade. I havent had any problems yet, and it's a lot more convenient than anything else. As I woukd keep the jar of carmex on my counter anyway.

Lip balm=vasoline,olive oil

This is one good reason I do not rinse my blades. I wipe the soap, moisture and whiskers on a dry terry cloth, no water whatsoever, no problem whatsoever.

just a little tip I recieved from someone shiving with SR for years........ Avoid HOT water on your blade!! hot water works as an accellarant for rust. handwarm or cold water to clean your blade will do the trick just as great

I'm new to straight razors, but have used high-carbon knives for years. I love high carbon steel for it's performance, but it will discolor easily. Most discoloration is cosmetic and won't affect the performance. Obviously rusting and pitting is a different matter.

I figure it's called "wet shaving" for a reason and my razors do get wet. I try to keep the scales dry, but water gets everywhere when I'm hacking away at my face. I use hot water to rinse the lather and whiskers off my blade while I shave.

When done, I dry the scales and blade carefully. I then strop the edge on linen & leather. I store the blade open for 12-24 hours and only then will I case them. Neither my Hart O-1 or Dovo Blackstar has shown any signs of rusting, although the Hart does have some slight areas where the steel has darkened a wee bit. The edges are mirror bright and...uh, pardon the expression...razor sharp.

If I were to store the razors for an extended period of time, I'd put a little oil on the blades.

I'd recommend not storing blades in leather or paper as both of these materials can absorb moisture and cause rusting (paper is often acidic as well).

OK, so yesterday I got my order from Amazon consisting of:

• Maas Metal Polish
• Renaissance Wax
• 100% Food Grade Mineral Oil

I honed the blade, polished it and then applied the wax and finally the mineral oil. Very impressed by the Maas polish!



So today I am excited to shave. The razor looks great. No rust or marks at all!

... Until the FIRST PASS! Seriously... this is after shaving for five minutes:




Now I'm fed up. I cleaned up the blade again. At least the edge was OK this time. I'm going to pick up some distilled water today and use it when I shave tomorrow for the lather and rinsing of the blade. I'll report back with details.

Wow that is just ridiculous! Not sure if you have stated this yet or if it's been asked but are you on well water or public water? In either case either you have an extremely high mineral content or there is something defective going on here. I feel for you man.

Originally Posted by bottomfeeder

Wow that is just ridiculous! Not sure if you have stated this yet or if it's been asked but are you on well water or public water? In either case either you have an extremely high mineral content or there is something defective going on here. I feel for you man.

I don't see how the word defective could come into play here, these are after all carbon steel, nothing is going to change that it will rust no matter what.

I kind of reminds me of my carbon steel pocket knife, I cut an orange with it once and within 2 minutes (after i cleaned it on my pants right after) It looked like that razor.

Must be the water..... Acidic and hard. Can you send your water off for testing?