Thread: infection or disease from a used razor?

Originally Posted by netsurfr

I contracted anthrax from a few of my antique razors but have since built up an immunity. You just have to consider it as one of those childhood illnesses.

I actually passed away, Steve, but I did get better...

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

I think you have to qualify what is meant by ALL bacteria and viruses dying within a short time of exposure. How about the ones that form spores? Some dormant spores have been cultured after centuries.

Anthrax, for example, can live for many decades - not only as a dusty spore (remember the terrorist attacks?) but in animal products like bone. So sanding bone (or horn?) scales could liberate them into the air.

... - I don't even think that there is a real threat if sensible precautions are taken - I just like to question sweeping statements!

Regards,
Neil

Neil makes good points. No one has mentioned the most common current practice of surface sterilization in medicine. By far the most effective and reactive disinfecting agents are oxidizing agents such as chlorine bleach and iodine. Tincture of iodine and betadine are iodine-containing antiseptics commonly used for cleaning minor cuts and wounds. The disinfectant action of bleach is due to the formation of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) from water and chlorine gas (Cl2). Hypoclorous acid is a highly reactive compound that inactivates enzymes by destroying their molecular structure. Unlike other chemical agents, oxidizing agents can destroy both bacteria and spores. Bleach at a concentration of 1-2 oz per gallon of water corresponds to approximately 200 ppm of Cl2 and should be used to sanitize clean surfaces and brewing equipment. Cl2 gas at 1-3 ppm is added to water supplies and swimming pools to prevent infection. Levels as high as 50,000 ppm are used in the laboratory to decontaminate bacteria-containing solutions before disposal.

Although bleach is a good sterilizing agent, it is also corrosive (especially to stainless steel) and can be toxic. I recommend rinsing off residual bleach with hot water or some other sterile solution rather than leaving it on your equipment.

Also:

Ultraviolet (UV) lights in the 260-nm range will destroy bacteria and spores. UV light is one of the few agents that actually works better on spores than on live bacteria. Unlike the heat method of sterilization, which denatures or coagulates proteins, UV light damages the DNA or genetic content of the cell. This method is used primarily to reduce infection from airborne bacteria rather than for sterilizing equipment. It cannot penetrate solid material and is therefore useful only for the sterilization of surfaces. Also, be aware that eye protection should be worn when working around UV light because it can cause severe irritation to the cornea.

Spore formers are nasty miserable bugs. As to anthracis, anyone who has lived near farming communities has likely been exposed already and developed some form of immunity. The weapons grade materials will still infect people, but those who live in the country downwind of horses, sheep or cattle will have a much higher survival rate.

Skip this part if you just don't want to know why: It's simple. Anthrax just loves the inside of an animal's gut. They have the perfect culture environment to work out their evolutionary directives. But this means that horse, sheep or cow exhaust contains....wait for it....Billions of the little critters. They dry out, spore up to protect themselves and the exhaust eventually, dries out, breaks down and becomes dirt. We all know that grass loves fertilizer and the grazing animals eat the spores and the cycle starts again. Dirt also turns into dust and gets blown up into the air. If you live nearby before the dust falls to earth and becomes dirt again, you eventually breathe it in. The spores have found another warm wet environment to start again. Mostly your immune system handily takes care of the offenders, but you gain some protection from exposure this way.

To sum up: alcohol is good. Bleach is good to better, and UV light is really good for spores. A clean polished razor will have the best surface to not hide the bugs. The subject is worth considering, but not something to generate fear over.

OK so lets make sure I have this correct....
If I wait 14 days then, do my Alcohol dip, then spray the tanning bed and the razor with the Sanitizer, then tan the razor in the bed for 10 minutes, then polish/hone the razor, then clean, wipe, and re-sanatize and then oil the razor, I should have it down????????

I am sort of kidding there....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

\ then tan the razor in the bed for 10 minutes\

hahahaha was i the only one that found that funny?

This is a very serious matter. In my Country, barbers don't use straight razors to shave customers anymore.
The reason is that they understand there is a risk and so they use disposable blades.

I think it is only a matter of time before vintage straight razors are banned from the post for example. Certainly, if I was a postman, I woudn't want to think of the possibility of cutting myself on an old rusty blade.

The issues that the original question addressed are very serious and not something to be joked about or made light of. Believe me this hobby could oh so easily come to an abrupt end.

The reason many men use disposable razors, is because they consider them to be more hygenic.

I don't think we have the answer to the question other than yes, there is a risk. If the old razors are not sterilised and taken back to new metal in the process of renovation and honing, the risk is probably quite high.

Originally Posted by English

This is a very serious matter. In my Country, barbers don't use straight razors to shave customers anymore.
The reason is that they understand there is a risk and so they use disposable blades.

I think it is only a matter of time before vintage straight razors are banned from the post for example. Certainly, if I was a postman, I woudn't want to think of the possibility of cutting myself on an old rusty blade.

The issues that the original question addressed are very serious and not something to be joked about or made light of. Believe me this hobby could oh so easily come to an abrupt end.

The reason many men use disposable razors, is because they consider them to be more hygenic.

I don't think we have the answer to the question other than yes, there is a risk. If the old razors are not sterilised and taken back to new metal in the process of renovation and honing, the risk is probably quite high.

Sorry did you even read Glens post above?

Its fear mongering and a general lack of the knowledge of hygienic procedures that has caused the public to be overly afraid of every little germ.

Think about this: There are guys who live in mortal fear of using anything that might have been in someone else's mouth, or possibly at one time in the distant past have touched their blood. Yet of those same guys only one in three will wash his hands after using a public toilet.

Originally Posted by English

I think it is only a matter of time before vintage straight razors are banned from the post for example. Certainly, if I was a postman, I woudn't want to think of the possibility of cutting myself on an old rusty blade.

I don't think that is very likely or even possible considering that items are shipped in boxes. Usually in boxes inside of boxes. Are they going to ban all other knives and scalpels sent via mail?

Originally Posted by English

I don't think we have the answer to the question other than yes, there is a risk. If the old razors are not sterilised and taken back to new metal in the process of renovation and honing, the risk is probably quite high.

With all due respect, I don't agree that there is a "high risk", hence what my post was about. I think rust is an obvious risk. I do recommend that everyone get a tetanus shot as often as recommended (every 10 years I believe), but that is common sense.

I'm not recommending people do what I do, and just be sure two weeks has passed on any used razor I shave with that hasn't come to me honed by someone I know. Please take whatever precautions you deem necessary. If that involves an autoclave then that's your choice.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

Think about this: There are guys who live in mortal fear of using anything that might have been in someone else's mouth, or possibly at one time in the distant past have touched their blood. Yet of those same guys only one in three will wash his hands after using a public toilet.

Well, yes, but does anyone here shave with someone else's hands? Or a toilet bowl, for that matter?

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Well, yes, but does anyone here shave with someone else's hands? Or a toilet bowl, for that matter?

No. but you did use the same door handle that guy just let go of.
Point being that a razor that has been sitting dry for a week or two since someone last nicked themselves with it is going to be way more sterile than a HUGE number of things that you come in contact with on a daily basis.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

... Its fear mongering and a general lack of the knowledge of hygienic procedures that has caused the public to be overly afraid of every little germ.

I'm taking Wildtim's back here. It is about fear and the manipulation of fear. Think about this for a second. What causes you to BUY anything? Fear of not having it? Fear of not being "up to the current level of cool?" Fear you might die, be injured or sued? My God, the list is endless and manipulated by the minute by advertising types the world over. Not to mention governments and political parties. Some are more or less subtle. But none are free of it's use. Sure the current lot likes to make us afraid of our security, but the other guys want us to be afraid of global warming. It's still manipulation of fear, getting the herd to move in the direction they want, all to make money for themselves or their friends.

Fact: Count the number of cells in your body. The number of bacteria and yeast that are inhabiting you at this moment are TEN times the number of cells (trillions). You are nothing more than a cruise ship of the microbacterial world. They have been on this ball of dirt for 3 billion years or better. If they didn't do their job, we'd all be 300 feet deep in dinosaur crap. We are nothing more than newcomers to their world. They were the first to use chemical warfare. Our penicillin is derived from the chemical defenses developed by fungi.

The more you know, the less there is to be afraid of. Study a hygienic practice that works for you and do it, faithfully, until a better practice comes along. Rely on your normal healthy human body to protect you and fix it if it's not up to speed.

Surreal addendum: What if we, the animal world, were engineered by the bacteria and fungi? I won't even discuss the concept of a fecal film.

And wash your hands...please. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze and cough. All the stuff your mother told you too.