Thread: Granddad's Straights

Originally Posted by Utopian

Could you elaborate on the "scrubbing bubbles?" Did you use a bathroom cleanser to clean your razors?

I don't actually know that it would be harmful, as I don't know what's in the stuff, but I would be afraid of it being corrosive. How did it work for you?

BTW, congrats on having, and more importantly, appreciating, your Grandfather's razors. They will mean far more to you than any other razor you could ever find and fortunately for you, they all appear to be in great shape.

Originally Posted by rsrick

Scrubbing bubbles is a popular cleaner for DE's and doesn't cause any negative effects (drop the razor into a bowl of it and go to town with a toothbrush to clean up the gunk) . However, DE's are generally plated .... I've not used on a straight. Not sure what the effect would be, particularly on the edge?


ps. Tom, Great collection you have there. Very nice piece of family history.

Thanks, guys. I feel very lucky to have these. It's an honor to be their temporary keeper until I can pass them on to my son.

Yep, scrubbing bubbles is a bathroom cleaner, popular for DE cleaning. These were all pretty crudded up, especially between the scales. I think granddad must have put them away oiled, and then they sat for 32 years or so, sometimes in a fairly humid environment. The steel was dull and the insides of the scales were covered in gunk. I didn't really soak them as much as clean them up with a toothbrush and q-tip, then rinse them well with cool water and dry them thoroughly. The edges seem none the worse for the cleaning and there's no more layer of crud.

For future reference, what's the right way to do this?

Thanks eveyone for your kind comments and suggestions. I'm torn between sending #3 and #8. I've always thought that the Wostenholm was the nicest blade in the bunch. Someday, I'll get them all back up to speed. Still undecided, but will ponder this through the afternoon.


Cheers,
Tom

I'd send the Wostenholm if it were me... great collection!

I have usually used alcohol for that type of cleaning. The "right" way is whatever works! I'm always glad to hear about something new.

Originally Posted by TomPike

I'm torn between sending #3 and #8.

I've said it before Tom, nice set.

I'd send them both out at the same time. Since you're torn, and it seems the people that replied are torn, too, send them both. That way, too, you'll have two shave ready blades. You still can't beat 2 for the price of 1!!!

Originally Posted by kenneyty

I have usually used alcohol for that type of cleaning. The "right" way is whatever works! I'm always glad to hear about something new.

Agreed. That was why I asked about it! I've never used it for cleaning in the bathroom but I'd consider buying it if it had some magical effect for cleaning razors.