Metal is not a permanent substance; it stains, rusts, corrodes, or ablates over time. Nickel plating wears off fairly easily. Bakelite can chip or crack. Any part of a razor needs to be cared for and stored carefully. On the other hand, metal items, when properly cared for, have a very long lifespan and can last generations.

While razor restoration is usually possible, provided the blade hasn't been badly chipped or cracked, proper storage and care for a straight razor will ensure a long life and make the item something to include in your last will and testament.

An iron alloy classified with a chromium content of at least 11%. The chromium content is responsible for the alloy's main characteristic, corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is much more corrosion resistant than high carbon steel, however if abused it will rust.

A stainless steel razor should be throughly wiped dry after use and should not be stored wet. It is advisable to apply rust inhibiting oil; such as cameilla oil, for long term storage.

Carbon Steel is an iron alloy which has a minimum of .6% carbon by volume. Use of high carbon steel is much more prevalent in straight razors than its counterpart, stainless steel. However, carbon steel will not corrode if carefully and constantly maintained.

Carbon Steel must be throughly dried after each use with special attention paid to keeping water away from the pivot hole of the razor. Also, it is advisable to strop the razor AFTER use to dry the bevel. Lastly, high carbon steel must be oiled before any type of long term storage.

Celluloid was originally an ivory and horn substitute and the earliest thermoplastic manufactured. Its first commercial incarnation was originally 70 to 80 parts nitrocellulose, 30 parts camphor, 0 to 14 parts dye, 1 to 5 parts ethyl alcohol, and other components in lesser quantities. Nitrocellulose (a form of "smokeless powder" also called "guncotton", an explosive and a component of artillery and small arms propellants such as cordite) is not the most stable substance, and despite the addition of stabilizers, breaks down over time. Its flammability is also a concern as it ages. Rubbing celluloid can generate a faint camphor smell. This smell is also a small bit of decomposition. Celluloid decomposes and releases gases that accelerate iron oxidation (rusting). This process of decay is called "celluloid rot."

Physical wearing of plating and lacquer (if any) is the primary cause of plating loss, though nickel can dissolve in acid (sulfuric acid is used in nickel-plating). Gold plating is effectively non-reactive except to high heat, potassium or sodium cyanide (unlikely to be encountered in the consumer's home or office!), aqua regia (also called nitro-hydrochloric acid) and a few other substances in combination. Lacquer can be dissolved in whatever solvent was used to deposit it. Silver plate oxidizes to a darker silver and ultimately a black color. Rhodium and Platinum are resistant to chemical removal, but as with all plating agents, can be dissolved in the chemical used in the plating process (sometimes aqua regia, which is highly unlikely to be encountered at home) and removed.

Disposable razor blades must be stored in a fairly cool and dry environment, i.e. preferably away from the bathroom.

Stored in a dry and relatively cool environment, stainless blades can last decades or longer and remain usable. Stainless steel, while not truly "unrustable" is highly resistant to oxidation; platinum electroplating further protects the stainless steel edges from rusting. Waxed paper and plastic wrapping help to isolate the blades from moisture and other oxidation agents like salt air. Storing blades outside the bathroom is a good choice (alternately, storing blades in a low, closed bathroom cabinet is the best choice when blades must be stored in the bathroom).

These blades are particularly prone to rusting. Often they are shipped coated in a light oil that, once removed during the first shave with the blade, starts a rusting process that sharply limits the life of the blade. Even properly stored, these blades are not packed in airtight containers (though glued waxed paper is fairly close) and can rust prior to usage. Older DE and SE blades have probably suffered at least some oxidation (rusting) and should not, as a general rule, be used.