Mineral Oil

[SparkyLB]

Hey all. I'm about a month in and have a question about storage. My mentor gave me a straight so I could see what a REAL blade feels like. I had a Dovo Prima Steel which was my first. After being blessed with a JNAT base stone and a few Nagura, I set out to hone my first blade. I bought a Wade & Butcher eBay rescue and made it a very nice shaver. Then I got another inexpensive W.H. Morely & Sons to make sure it wasn't beginner's luck. That one's a shaver now too. With a little experience on different blades and their respective feels, I had a hankering for a 7/8 shoulderless model. I got a beautiful Ralf Aust with horn handles--and that makes 5.

So having a rotation now, any particular straight sits for 5 days before use. At first, after a shave I would dry with two squares of paper from the water closet--one for the blade, the other for the handle, inside and out & around the hinge pin. I would give the SR a day to fully dry while open on the bathroom counter; fold it up and put it in the coffin. That worked fine, but thought I'd take the forum's advice and oil them between use. I apply the scantest (if that's a word) amount of mineral oil and coat the blade, tang and finger hook.

Question is, is it standard operating procedure to wipe off the oil with a microfiber before use? I don't suppose there's any other way, but wanted to ask here.

How do your remove "storage" oil from your SR?

Thank you as always.

 

[FarmerTan]

Excellent question my friend! I will be following this thread with interest.

 

[SparkyLB]

Thank you sir. That's a fancy hat you're sporting today!

 

[Legion]

Toilet paper.

 

[SparkyLB]

Thanks, Legion!

 

[Herrenberg]

What is your climate? Mine is super-dry, so I don't need oil, and I store my razors in the open, so they can dry. When @rbscebu lived in the humid Philippines, he wisely kept his razors in a thing called a dry cabinet. It all depends on climate.

 

[SparkyLB]

I'm in hot humid Florida.

 

[Herrenberg]

I'm in hot humid Florida.

Then it's either diligent oil application, or a dry cabinet. Personally, I'd go for the dry cabinet. Even after a thorough wiping, I feel the oil on the blade of the razors I hone on the Black Ark with oil. It's not really unpleasant, and I guess you could get used to it, but the dry cabinet seems like less work.

 

[rbscebu]

You are living in a hot and humid climate and I assume that your bathroom is not air-conditioned 24/7. Your SR's spend a few (2 or 3) days or more "resting" between uses (Dovo would love you ).

Here is what you do:

1. Before putting a SR away, protect the steel with a thin coat of mineral oil (only if stored edge down) or petroleum jelly or Renaissance wax (follow the instructions).
2. Just before the blade's next pre-shave stropping, wipe the blade with toilet/tissue paper to remove the oil/jelly (not required with Ren wax). Do not let the toilet/tissue paper touch the blade's edge. It is detrimental to the edge.
3. Don't worry about any oil/jelly/wax left on the bevel. That will be removed during stropping and is beneficial to the leather.

Any questions, just ask.

 

[rbscebu]

My 30 litre dry cabinet in Cebu, Philippines. Purchased new from a discount photographic store in Manila for about USD 80 including shipping. They are available on eBay for about double the price.

​

If you get one, get a digitally controlled model, like the one shown. You can thank me later.

Here is one on Amazon. It may not be the best value.

https://www.amazon.com/Ruggard-Electronic-Dry-Cabinet-30L/dp/B077T2HTCD/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=2CSFI9CGJZTVC&keywords=dry+cabinet+camera&qid=1651799823&sprefix=dry+cabinet%2Caps%2C647&sr=8-3

 

[SparkyLB]

The humidity in my house doesn’t rise above 50%. The house is air conditioned unless I’m at work. I can create a near zero humidity micro environment with a zip top bag and packets of desiccant.

Just asking what is the best/preferred method to remove mineral oil from my blades.

I appreciate the replies, gentlemen.

 

[Possum092]

I don’t even bother removing. A quick stropping and off to the races. First pass through the lather and rinse…gone. Mineral oil is the same as baby oil so nothing harmful to worry about. Cheers

 

[SparkyLB]

Thank you sir.

 

[Legion]

I’d wipe it off, if only to stop oil getting on your strop. A tiny bit on the linen is not the end of the world, but I wouldn’t want any to get into the leather.

 

[Wid]

I don't routinely oil my razors but when I do or get one with oil I use dawn dish soap and hot water to take the oil off before use. Dry then strop, I'd never strop an oily razor on my strop(s)

 

[SparkyLB]

Thanks gents. I’ve been a hunter for many years and I don’t oil boots because I feel oil breaks down leather. My major concern with toilet tissue was the lint/dander it leaves. I’ll wipe off the steel with TP or microfiber and palm strip a few times before hitting the leather. I think that’s a reasonable plan.

Thanks again gentlemen!

 

[Butch Waxx]

Thanks gents. I’ve been a hunter for many years and I don’t oil boots because I feel oil breaks down leather. My major concern with toilet tissue was the lint/dander it leaves. I’ll wipe off the steel with TP or microfiber and palm strip a few times before hitting the leather. I think that’s a reasonable plan.

Thanks again gentlemen!

Sounds like a plan Sparky….I oil my straights as you do and when ready for use, I simply run water over the blade, wipe with tissue, give it a good shake or two, (with no one around and holding the razor firm) and then hit the flax linen first and then leather. Seems to work rather well.

 

[Tomo]

Toilet paper.

Same here. That or a cotton hand towel. I don’t worry about wiping the edge too much but it’s nice to get the tang and jimps dry so you get a decent grip while shaving.

Currently using Ballistol. The 50ml bottle will probably last a lifetime.

 

[Tomo]

I’d wipe it off, if only to stop oil getting on your strop. A tiny bit on the linen is not the end of the world, but I wouldn’t want any to get into the leather.

This is why I strop immediately after shaving and before oiling. You don’t want oil building up on your strop. It will attract all kinds of dirt and dust.

 

[SparkyLB]

I used to use Ballistol on my 1911s years ago. I give credit to all who tolerate the smell. I put it somewhere between gym socks and black licorice.

Interesting stuff. It was used to both clean and lubricate firearm and treat leather since the early 1900s. Versatile stuff.