Le Grelot NOS - first shave. Little grey spots?

[dmcconnell]

I just received a new old forging of a 6/8 Le Grelot. After a fantastic first shave with this beauty - little grey spots have appeared on the blade. They don't look like rust - but cause me some concern. I rinsed lightly towelled, towel-stropped and finally briefly leather stropped following the shave. This also recently happened to another NOS Solingen Silver Steel razor I picked up. Both blades came covered in oil and were pristine prior to the first shave. I cleaned both with alcohol, soap and water prior to the shave. Is there something with historical carbon steel? Any ideas on how to polish / clean these spots? Any idea how to avoid them?

 

[dmcconnell]

Pictures follow:

 

[mdunn]

looks like rust forming.

you need to make sure they are completely dry before you put your straights away (including water on the scales, that can transfer to the blade). You should also store them away from humidity (like a bathroom), as it can cause rust too.

Some polish should clean them up without too much fuss

 

[azmark]

You should also store them away from humidity (like a bathroom), as it can cause rust too.

Some polish should clean them up without too much fuss

+1

I keep razors in a case and away from the bathroom. One thing to remember is about those lovely hot showers will get moisture everywhere.

As far as a polish, some MAAS will do the job and it also does good on scales.

 

[holli4pirating]

My guess would also be storage in a humid enviornment. Where are you keeping them?

 

[dmcconnell]

The weird thing is, these spots appeared immediately after the first use (ie: within 60 minutes of unwrapping the razor) - not after any period of storage. Also, I am storing my razors in a dresser out of the bathroom and take extra care to dry the blades and scales and even blow out any water that may be hiding in between the scales. Anyway - I'll see about MAAS for fixing this up. Thanks.

 

[ambrose]

Soap and water will do that to a straight. The detergents in soap draws oil out of the metal leaving it to oxidize hence your black spots on your once pristine blades. Metal polish and then some oil will do the trick. Rinse and wipe while you shave and you will be set with out needing to re oil unless for storage, no soap.

 

[ssultan]

Agree with ambrose on this...Incidentally, had this issue with one of my blades a few weeks ago...had shaved and left in a hurry, forgot about shaking out the water drop INSIDE the handle...next morning was a shock!! I used Flitz and some elbow grease to get rid of the spots...tougher than I had thought initially...and since then have been wiping and drying the blade before putting it away...no issues with rust over the past 2-3 months AND I store my razor in the washroom ....

 

[riooso]

You better jump on the spots. When you used alcohol and soap and water there was no oil barrier left and it was prime for rust. I just wipe on a towel, strop with linen about 10 laps. When I am done I rinse blade with hot water, blow out the pivot, wipe it dry, and let it sit on a towel while I clean up. The next step for some people is that they do a few laps on the leather. For me the next step is that I oil my blade using an applicator like this.


View attachment 92963


It is quick, safe and very effective. I am a firm believer that it also protects the edge against oxidation. I oil my guns why would I not oil my razors?

I personally use a Corrosion-X and Camellia oil mixture. The Corrosion-X bonds with the metal and sets up a barrier. I have yet to have any problems since oiling. There is also the added benefit that if you don't use a razor for a while you do not have to worry about it.

Take Care,
Richard

 

[DogHair]

My satin Le Grelot is like that. It has some dark spots on it. Not rust though. I've never tried to clean them off but they don't seem to be getting any worse. I think they were there when I unwrapped it. It gets dried and a quick wipe with camellia oil after use. My mirror polished Le Grelot is spotless.

 

[professorchaos]

looks like rust forming.

you need to make sure they are completely dry before you put your straights away (including water on the scales, that can transfer to the blade). You should also store them away from humidity (like a bathroom), as it can cause rust too.

Some polish should clean them up without too much fuss

 

[dmcconnell]

Thanks guys. I've re-oiled the blade for now and will seek to polish out the spots soon.

 

[matt321]

If you dry the razor and then lay it down next to the sink while you run more water to rinse your face or your shaving brush or whatever, then odds are the razor has picked up some new splash droplets.

 

[dmcconnell]

Well some Blue Magic metal polish, about 1 minute of rubbing and then a fresh coat of mineral oil . . . problem solved and lesson learned. Thanks everyone for sharing your wisdom and experience.

Dallas

 

[GardenWeasel]

Looks great! Glad it worked out for you.

 

[riooso]

Good going.

R

 

[Arctic]

Glad it's looking good again. I've got that same razor, and those spots will appear while you're shaving if you're not careful. It only takes seconds. I clean them up with a little Hoppes #9. I always make sure to thoroughly dry the razor immediately after the shave, before I get around to the alum block or aftershave. Oil's a good idea too. Seems this thing wants to rust at the first opportunity.

 

[jpdunn01]

In addition to all the above, I have used Tuf-Glide and haven't run into any problems yet.