Pacific Blade Oil

[ackvil]

I came across something by Pacific Shaving Company, its Blade Oil, which is supposed to lengthen the life of razor blades. http://pacificshaving.com/bladeoil.php

Wondering if anyone has used this and what are your thoughts?

 

[kingfisher]

I've never used it, but I've certainly thought about it. The concept behind it makes perfect sense to me.

 

[DE Shaver]

While the idea is nice and it should work, I think the actual practice isn't as straight forward. You'll either have to remove the oil to shave or shave with the oil on the blade, which can get a little messy. If you want an effective way of protecting your blades from oxidation, dip the razor with the blade in some alcohol. This will displace any water and the blade will dry in seconds, ready for use. Without water, oxidation will not occur or occur at a much lower rate. It also has the beneficial side effect of disinfecting the blade as well.

 

[KiltedShaver]

I use it, garnered from a gift from Pacific Shaving, and it does work. About double the life of my blades, which is their claim. I, for one, have found to be true. I've also had no trouble with the oil staying on the blade, and then shaving. It come right off, especially when exposed to the soapy lather.

 

[ackvil]

Thanks for the info.

 

[bordeaaj]

I use it, garnered from a gift from Pacific Shaving, and it does work. About double the life of my blades, which is their claim. I, for one, have found to be true. I've also had no trouble with the oil staying on the blade, and then shaving. It come right off, especially when exposed to the soapy lather.

+1

I've been oiling the edges of my Feather and Kai blades with an oiled Q-Tip based on experience using oil to maintain not only other types of sharp metal but metal in general. Oil does indeed protect blade edges from corrosion and adds several days life to the blade. It can easily double the lifespan of the blades, even more if you hand strop now and then as well. Out of curiosity, I recently ordered Pacific Blade Oil and while a little more expensive than my usual method, the applicator is very convenient, works great, and as it leaves just a micro-layer of oil behind, should last you a long, long time. You do not need to remove the oil prior to shaving...just shave as normal.

Alcohol dips help to prevent corrosion and to sanitize as well, but the oiling the edges after doing so will still add increased protection. Probably best when used in combination if you really wanted to go that extra mile.

 

[kjparker]

Seriously though, when you add up the CPS (Cost per shave) are you still ahead? I dont know how much that oil costs (inc post), but at (often much) less than 20cents per blade, is it worth it?

 

[DE Shaver]

Seriously though, when you add up the CPS (Cost per shave) are you still ahead? I dont know how much that oil costs (inc post), but at (often much) less than 20cents per blade, is it worth it?

Most decent blades sell for about $15.00 shipped for 100 blades, which works out to about $0.15 each. This lot will last at least 1 year and up to two if you use 1 blade per week. Assuming you pay a nominal amount for shipping (for example $2.00), the blade oil will cost around $12.00, which gives you a year's supply. That could buy you about 80 extra blades. If you normally use two blades a week and if the blade oil does actually double your blade's lifespan, you'll save 50 blades per year. Doesn't seem cost effective to me at current blade prices.

 

[Aevum]

blade oil ? snake oil ?
i know carbon steel straights are oiled to keep them from rusting, but i dont think DE blades and cartrige blades have the longevity to justify the expense,

 

[decypher]

Most decent blades sell for about $15.00 shipped for 100 blades, which works out to about $0.15 each. This lot will last at least 1 year and up to two if you use 1 blade per week. Assuming you pay a nominal amount for shipping (for example $2.00), the blade oil will cost around $12.00, which gives you a year's supply. That could buy you about 80 extra blades. If you normally use two blades a week and if the blade oil does actually double your blade's lifespan, you'll save 50 blades per year. Doesn't seem cost effective to me at current blade prices.

My thoughts exactly. This doesnt take into account the extra time/work involved in keeping them oiled. Seems less shaves per blade and more blades is just as functional.

 

[Stubblefield]

Most decent blades sell for about $15.00 shipped for 100 blades, which works out to about $0.15 each. This lot will last at least 1 year and up to two if you use 1 blade per week. Assuming you pay a nominal amount for shipping (for example $2.00), the blade oil will cost around $12.00, which gives you a year's supply. That could buy you about 80 extra blades. If you normally use two blades a week and if the blade oil does actually double your blade's lifespan, you'll save 50 blades per year. Doesn't seem cost effective to me at current blade prices.

Granted, it does not seem to save much money when you buy inexpensive blades, but if it does lengthen blade life (as it seems to) it would be ideally useful for extending the life of NOS blades. If the oil will double my shaves when I use a Gillette Spoiler or Wilkinson Light Brigade, it would be well worth it, as these blades sell for about $1.00 each.

Pacific has a deal right now where you buy any two of their products locally they will send you a 1/2 oz of blade oil, absolutely free. I may pick up some of their shaving cream at Whole Foods and give the stuff a try.

 

[ackvil]

Years ago there used to be a product you put on the blade. It came in a small tube and was supposed to take the place of lather. I used it on the blade and with lather and it gave a very smooth shave. I believe it was made with a silicon substance.

But that was before the internet and before anyone thought about blade angle, multiple passes, little pressure, etc.

 

[Gibbs]

This is an older thread, I know but I am curious and it seems like a good idea. Wouldn't hurt to experiment now would it?

Choose a new blade, shave with it as normal, and then take it out, gently wipe it dry and using a Q-Tip cotton Swab (or other) that has 3 in 1 oil, or WD-40 or a good firearm or machine oil, swab along the edges on both side top/bottom of the blade an put a Sharpie (magic marker) | on it and set it aside. The next time you shave, use this blade and simply shave. When you get done, do the above procedure and set it aside for next time. I'd like to participate in this little trial. I've read about this on a few other forums and tonight I was in Meijers store and saw this "blade oil" that extends razor life. Here is a link to about the same product I saw: http://www.pacificshaving.com/bladeoil.php

And I found this link doing a quick search about blade corrosion: http://www.doubleedgesafetyrazorblades.com/how-to-keep-razor-blades-sharp/

Razor blade manufacturing includes a step in dipping the blades in oil, even though they are stainless, as a prevention to oxidation. This video shows the process: -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9PnTPIKd3g

So, I will pick one blade, my Personna Med Prep blade and start out fresh with it and oil it ever time I am done shaving and store it until the next shave and keep doing that and see how many shaves I really get from a corrosion inhibitor blade. I might choose WD-40 since it is so common and the name means Water Dispersal formula 40. Although any motor oil you get in a plastic bottle will give you more than enough oil for dozens of applications. Baby oil (aka mineral oil) is petroleum oil that has been highly refined. It is oil but actually has no additives for friction or corrosion inhibitors added to it. That (baby oil) is also highly available. I'll pass on the oil mentioned with all those "natural" ingredients as I am only interested in keeping oxygen away from the very edge of the razor blade.

As to the alcohol, that might dissapate water quickly, but at the factory they were oiled once upon a time. Seems logical that your soap with combination of hot water would remove protective coatings on the blade. Even if you dipped them in 90% alcohol and the water dissapated quickly, it leaves them with no protecion against air oxidation.

 

[Greggy_D]

If you shaved with Shave Secret, wouldn't it accomplish the same result?

 

[ZJ68]

Razor blades are stainless steel. You don't need to put anything on them to keep them from oxidizing. Look at a used razor blade edge under a microscope and see how corroded it is.

 

[ronhackney]

Blades are so cheap that I feel there's no need to extend blade life. Is the added work worth it?