Carrying razor blades on extended trips

[Stephane G]

I use a safety razor (I carry the razor head stored inside a 3D printed sleeve, and screw it to a handle shared by toothbrush and spoon).

I carry blades in their retail plastic container (Wilkinson/Feathers/Derby)

After a few weeks, blades show signs of surface rust. Probably because I store them in my mesh toiletry bag, which is almost constantly damp.

1. I could try to store blades in a different, drier, location.

2. I could wrap the container in plastic film

3. I could stumble on an after market waterproof blade storage box.

4. I could learn from member of that community about a better solution…

[bradmacmt]

Why not a BIC?

[DAN-Y]

Wilkinson has stainless steel blades.

[Stephane G]

Plastic waste, pack size on extended trips, cost, and a decent safety razor is much better. The razor head (Henson AL) weighs 22g, and blades 1g each. A Bic is reportedly 9g, depending on the model, so very small with penalty either way.

[Stephane G]

Stainless razor blades are stainless in name only. Wilkinson, Feather, Kai and Bic all show signs of surface corrosion if exposed to a damp environment over an extended period of time. In my experience.

[Mark Verber]

Slight variance… around 15? years ago I used and did a fair bit of testing of the https://www.litesmith.com/derma-safe-folding-razor-knife/  …. My memory was it was more resistant to rust and degrading than the safety razor blazers I tried.

Ultimately concluded that I would shave weight other places.  I didn’t want to worry about the blades durably from basic use, and I much prefer scissors for many housekeeping tasks.

[HkNewman]

Extended trips mean resupply boxes normally so I’ll stash a new disposable razor in there to put into my first aid kit.  After irrigating a wound, I like to shave around it so the bandage is easier to peel off, more cleanliness, etc..

Then midway to the night before arriving in town, use the same razor (usually unused) to shave my face partially or beard trim.

Repeat as needed for the next resupply box(es).

[DAN-Y]

ebay

 

[Mark Verber]

Doh… scratch my previous post, I thought you were talking about a blade as a knife.  for shaving my approach was similar to HkNewman. Put in resupply box for monthly delivery. After shaving I would rinse off, pat dry, and it went into a small cardboard box which has air holes. Didn’t have issues with rust but would lose edge after 3-5 weeks.

[Stephane G]

Didn’t have issues with rust but would lose edge after 3-5 weeks.

Interesting. In my case rust spots appear after 6 weeks.

Needless to say, at home, blades stay clean. Clearly an issue linked to being stored in a damp (and perhaps salty) environment.

Anyhow. Fairy easy to prevent.

[Bill Budney]

You could soak a small piece of absorbent stuff (such as paper towel) in oil, wrap the blades in that, then store in a waterproof container. A little oil commonly prevents corrosion.

[jscott]

“I carry blades in their retail plastic container..”

A single Bic disposable razor weighs, what, 2 grams? It takes up very little space. The generic brand that I’ve used has a plastic cover that slides over the blades. Over the years I’ve used such generic blades for a month before it became too dull. I don’t  use them much except when travelling. I too prefer to avoid plastic products. Are we sure that a Wilkerson blade in a plastic container, shipped  from  England or wherever, is a better choice in terms of ecological  concerns? More goes into this  than the mere materials.  In any case, on a hiking trip, I long ago  decided that I don’t want razors floating around in my kit. A disposable razor with  the protective sheath placed on–or even without that–wont  do any damage if I’m  rummaging around my bag looking for it.

[David Thomas]

If you have anything leather – a belt or strap – you can use the rough side as a strop like barbers do (did?).

As a Boy Scout, I’d do that after using the finest grit whetstone and get it to razor sharpness – it would shave my arm hairs.

As a young (and cheap) man, I’d do it with my single-bladed safety razors and use the same one every day for months by polishing it every few days on the back of a leather belt.  That works even if the blade is rusty – it removes the rust from the cutting edge as it polishes it.  It’s why and how a straight razor was used for a lifetime.

I suspect, but have not tested, that a nylon pack strap would work the same.

[MJ H]

You can strop a disposable razor on cotton pants so long as they are something dense like khakis or jeans. Just “shave” up, drawing the blade’s edge backward across the fabric. Gets weeks more use out of a razor for me. Don’t use nice pants. I suspect it wouldn’t work with nylon fabrics like most hiking trousers, but I have not tried.

[Stephane G]

[follow-up]

Plan for next trip is to:

1. Coat blades in food grade oil
2. Store in a different location (with small parts stored in Altoid tin)
3. Add a small silica gel pouch

That should prevent the formation of rust.

Thanks for your input

[Author]

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