Thread: Oil beads up on the blade

I have been using mineral oil after every shave. When I apply it, it sorta smears all over. After some time, when I look at the blade I see that the oil sorta beads up on the blade. Is that typical? Is the whole blade kept covered even tho I see these droplets?

Could be the excess coming into contact w/ moisture on the very thin surface layer, and repelling itself from the water. Try a different oil and see if it does the same thing. If it does, you could have moisture trapped under the layer of oil on the blade. I haven't used mineral oil, so I can't be 100% sure. A friend uses clove oil and doesn't have this problem, except the one time he didn't let the blade completely dry off first. Try applying your oil, then taking your finger and knock off any excess, only leaving the thinnest of layers and see if that helps. If it works, you may have just been putting on too much for that particular application.

Did you use metal polish on the blade? Some contain additives that cause beading.

Its a brand new Dovo Bismark but it happens on my other vintage as well. I apply the mineral oil using a Q-tip. I guess I'll wait to hear from someone else that uses mineral oil. I use it because many folks seemed to recommend it and it was easy to find.

I use mineral oil (baby oil) on a folded tissue after I've shaved, stropped a few and wiped it down. Just a few drops on the tissue and making sure to coat the steel. When I use it again, I just wipe off the blade and strop. Have not had a problem with any access oil. (I polish with MAAS, too.) Hope that helps.

I would look at the strop, maybe there is some "waxy" substance that is causing the oil to beat. Just a thought. Double O

Here is what it looks like.

Originally Posted by Double0757

I would look at the strop, maybe there is some "waxy" substance that is causing the oil to beat. Just a thought. Double O

Hmm - good thought. I have one of the Whipped Dog poor man's strops and I just applied the neatsfoot oil to it awhile back. But the strop doesn't touch inside the "hollow" so I doubt it's that.

Highly polished blades have a tendency to do that. The oil has a hard time adhering to smooth, shiny surfaces. Nothing to worry about though since there should be a thin coat along the blade. I would get rid of the excess though since it could get stuck in the scales and who knows what could get caught up in the oil. Some oils tend to break down and become gummy also.

Not that I would say that any of mine were "highly polished"; but I've been palm Stropping with a little Vaseline of late before i put the blade away for the nite. It seems to work very well.