Rust Control

[82R100]

Several weeks ago I came into 40 Blue Star SE blades bundled with an eBay purchased Gem Contour razor. Given that the razor (with blades) came to less than $7 with shipping, I figured it wasn't a bad deal.

I keep the blade dispensers in the (de-)humidor of my pipe/razor rack to keep them dry, as I understand that these blades rust rapidly.

Today I put my first Blue Star into one of my Micromatics and shaved with it. Nice shave. Possibly a little less smooth while shaving than with a stainless but the result was very good. Followed up by removing the blade, drying the razor and towel stropping and hand stropping the blade. Remarkably, I could tell which way the blade had been installed in the razor because of the beginning rust pattern. I put the blade back in the razor and set it on the hot surface of my candle warmer for 5 minutes to finish the drying process. If this bathroom were being used for other showers during the day I'd put the razor in the dry box.

We'll see how things go. I might use a dab of Vaseline along the edge if the rust becomes a problem.

- Chris

 

[Stubblefield]

Any chance you could get a pic of the blade? That is one Personna I have not seen yet.

 

[82R100]

Here's what the packaging looks like:

The blades themselves are extremely unremarkable. If you want, I'll take a picture with the first day's rust marks .

I may have misspoken earlier. I don't see "Personna" mentioned anywhere.

- Chris

 

[82R100]

Now that the alcohol bath thread is casting doubt on that method of rust control, I am even less likely to try that route.

The vaseline thing sounded plausible but kind of messy.

Maybe I'll do a tiny plastic tub of oil (olive or vegetable) to dip the blade in after stropping.

 

[Bushranger]

ithink the oil will work...let us know

 

[r0ckrat]

The alcohol as a bath will not help, but a dip in alcohol will displace the water and dry very quickly.

 

[82R100]

OK, update.

Just finished the fourth shave with a Blue Star using my veg. oil dip method. The only rust on the blade occurred during the first 20 minutes of use because I didn't dip the blade before initially using it, and there's no visible rust on the bevel--just on the flat mounting surfaces.

Here's my regimen: After each shave, I remove the blade, use a square of toilet paper to blot the water and oil out of the razor itself and to strop the blade dry. I hand strop the blade then dip it 1/8" into the veg. oil bath and reinstall it into the razor. The oil does tend to wick up into the razor a bit, but I see no problem with that.

The blade's still giving good shaves, so I'll do day 5 with it tomorrow and see how it goes.

Next blade I'll dip before the first shave and see if it inhibits the cosmetic rust where the blade rests on the razor surfaces.

- Chris

 

[dpmtherrien]

With all the good stainless blades out there, why bother with one that can rust?

 

[82R100]

Please read my original post.