Thread: Prep for my new vintage razor!

I give the blade a good rubbing with a 70% isopropyl alcohol soaked cloth, which is intermediate level disinfectant and cleans up any dirt, oil, grime or light rust on the blade, cleaning and preparing the surface for the next step. I soak the razor in barbicide for roughly 10 minutes to zap away anything that might be left. Rinse well with warm water, let dry, followed by a light wipe with pure mineral oil to seal the steel and protect the now clean blade.

Hope this helps!

Be careful. Your on the express route to dulling a shave-ready edge.

I seem to remember that time was the best stratagy. I just can't remember how much time.

-Rob

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Be careful. Your on the express route to dulling a shave-ready edge.

+1. If you're not experienced at stropping I wouldn't wait for that strop. Go ahead and shave. If it is shave ready you should be able to get by without stropping on the first shave. This way you don't risk rolling the edge before you try the razor.

I wouldn't worry about germs on the blade. If it has been honed to shave ready I would bet it has been wiped and what have you plenty long enough to preclude your getting cooties or worse. and enjoy your shave.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Be careful. Your on the express route to dulling a shave-ready edge.

Thanks for the responses guys, I guess you can never be too careful. I was thinking of rigging up a container with alcohol/iso and some string so only the blade would be submerged and not the scales. I am however puzzled by the above quote by AFDavis. I know you mean well, but without any explanation I don't know what you are referring to. If I don't ding the razors edge, or vigourously scrub the edge, how am I going to ruin the edge?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Thanks for the responses guys, I guess you can never be too careful. I was thinking of rigging up a container with alcohol/iso and some string so only the blade would be submerged and not the scales. I am however puzzled by the above quote by AFDavis. I know you mean well, but without any explanation I don't know what you are referring to. If I don't ding the razors edge, or vigourously scrub the edge, how am I going to ruin the edge?

Thanks.

I believe he was referring to your comment about waiting for the strop to arrive before shaving. Someone who's never used a strop can ruin a shave-ready edge with just one incorrect pass. There's plenty to read about stropping here and elsewhere on the internet. Just make sure you're comfortable with the technique before diving in with your razor. You may want to practice with a butter knife or similar straight razor shaped object to get the motion and pressure down.