Well, I've seen many topics on oiling straights for protection, but I don't think this ever came up. When you're storing straights, and you've given them a coat of oil, when should you change that oil? I thought of this after I stained one of my blades by accidentally using the wrong oil (linseed oil) that had gunked up. Do most oils used on straights (say mineral oil, as I use it and it seems many others do also) gunk up? and if so would that cause any damage?
'changing' the oil
- Thread starter olps
- Start date
I shouldnt think you would need to change the oil.
I guess if a lot of dust and junk got on the oil it might harm it, but thats a big if
I guess if a lot of dust and junk got on the oil it might harm it, but thats a big if
Keep it in a plastic bag and coated with oil and you shouldn't have to change it for decades and decades.
Slather in vaseline if your going to put it away for that long.
- Thread starter
- #5
Good to hear, I don't plan on storing them for too long. I was more curious/worried about how long- if at all- it would take (mineral) oil to dry or gunk up, and if that would be a problem.
+1 ... that's how my grandfather did it. He was an old-school barber and had dozens of straight razors. Even 40 years after he passed way, all the razors stored that way looked great, and just needed to be wiped down to be shave-ready.
Ballistol doesn't harden or gum up. I'd use Vaseline, but Ballistol is less messy to wipe off of my daily shavers (all my razors are kept oiled). It also seems to work well for long term storage.
I hear metal polishes like MAAS are as effective at cleaning as they are to maintain a razor's exterior over time, however, I use vaseline on my saxophone for a lovely long lasting luster.(Pardon the alliteration)
Kroil works well for preserving metal and it is extremely thin like WD40. Unlike WD40, however, Kroil wont gum up or become sticky. I is also good for removing rust and displacing water.
Here is by far the best product in the world for keeping anything metal fro rust.
It's Camellia oil. It is made in Japan because the trees are grown there. I have used this product for many years on my woodworking tools (chisels,planes saws etc.) This product also has other benefits for skin and hair too.
Check it out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_seed_oil
I purchase mine at Highland Hardware.
It's Camellia oil. It is made in Japan because the trees are grown there. I have used this product for many years on my woodworking tools (chisels,planes saws etc.) This product also has other benefits for skin and hair too.
Check it out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_seed_oil
I purchase mine at Highland Hardware.
Don't know if it is suggested but I use Break Free for my rotation (not long term storage). No problems yet.
Camellia oil is indeed lovely. But if I'm in a damp clime like the tropics, I keep a tiny atomizer bottle full of mineral oil (same stuff you may use on butcher blocks). Extremely easy to spritz a modicum of oil on the blade and pivot to prevent tarnish until the razor's next at-bat in the rotation.
+1 Ballistol is good to use.
