Thread: My straight razor has black powder on it when I took it out of the box.

Well I was actually about to start shaving for the first time 5 minutes ago but I'm here asking SRP members how to disinfect my straight razor with replaceable blades. I'm not sure what the black stuff was but it looked nasty and smeared all over my fingers. I was wondering what I should use to clean the straight razor and the blades I put in it before I shave. Its a Parker SRB made in India. Please I look like a damn mountain man. I need to shave asap. Thanks guys/gals!

Give this a go. Barbicide or Isopropyl alcohol or Jack Daniels. Check this geofatboy vid:



ps-I'm not vouching for all the info(particularly, the not shaving with the same razor w/in 48hrs claim), but this should be helpful for straights, shavettes, safety razors...

Originally Posted by Mathew

Well I was actually about to start shaving for the first time 5 minutes ago but I'm here asking SRP members how to disinfect my straight razor with replaceable blades. I'm not sure what the black stuff was but it looked nasty and smeared all over my fingers. I was wondering what I should use to clean the straight razor and the blades I put in it before I shave. Its a Parker SRB made in India. Please I look like a damn mountain man. I need to shave asap. Thanks guys/gals!

do what?! was this a razor you just bought from a dealer/auction site? was it something you had stored for a bit?

Just a thought here, but could it be slurry from the honing?

I'm not sure where you got it from, but the previous owner may have honed it then boxed/ shipped it without bothering to strop or clean it.

Originally Posted by Amenrab

Just a thought here, but could it be slurry from the honing?

I'm not sure where you got it from, but the previous owner may have honed it then boxed/ shipped it without bothering to strop or clean it.

On a shavette? I may not have experience with shavettes, but I'm certain the blades are disposable.

Originally Posted by Siguy

On a shavette? I may not have experience with shavettes, but I'm certain the blades are disposable.

Oh, I must've mis-read. I'm not sure what it is then.

Originally Posted by Amenrab

Oh, I must've mis-read. I'm not sure what it is then.

Shavette looks like a straight razor, but had inserts (disposable) for the blade.

Originally Posted by Siguy

Shavette looks like a straight razor, but had inserts (disposable) for the blade.

He is exactly right. Needless to say I took Siguy's advice and bought some barbacide. I'm going to put the straight razor and the disposable blade it into a bowl mixed with water just like the instructions, and let it sit for about an hour.