Cleanliness

Here`s a question, although I`ve never made any attempt to disinfect a guarded razor, do you ever need to disinfect a straight razor? Or take extra precaution for any reason? :)

I've never had to disinfect my razor but there is only me using it. If you've bought a second hand one, I'd disinfect that just to be on the safe side.

+1 on Bullah's comments. That is what I do. I will soak in barbacide anything that came from an antique store or e-bay.

Certainly if you have concerns just do it.

I never had. I figure after I get a vintage razor and its washed with antibacterial soap and then polished and sanded and had metal polish put on nothing dangerous would be left on it.

Oh right yeah I suppose if it`s an antique... I`m nowhere near ready for a nice antique though, I`ll get my bones with the cheap ones I have for a year or so, once I`m proficient I`ll buy a nice old one :) I use a disinfectant called F10 with my snakes, it kills everything, viruses, bacteria everything. I suppose I could use that. I seem to remember some comment or other about a bug that can ovvur from using asian honing stones but I may have gotten the wrong idea there, anyone know what I`m talking about? Not that I do half the time lol At least I have a good excuse.... :)

I've never heard about any bugs living on honing stones. If you leave them in water they can get old or mildew but that's about it.

I can`t remember where I heard it now lol Ah well, question answered, thanks guys :)

If anyone is really worried you can use a pressure cooker in leu of an auto clave but I think it's so highly unlikely that any sort of virus or pathogen would remain alive on a razor. I can think of very few things other than maybe some strand of weaponized bacteria that can live so incredibly long once exposed to air. One is generally more concerned with hypodermic needles because they are hollow and can allow a pathogen or virus to remain secreted in bodily fluid safe from exposure to air. But again I'm not an doctor I just play one on T.V. And I think the only bug you might get from over using asian stones is wanting to get more of them.

Feebo,

Whatever makes you feel safest, warm & fuzzy !!

The problem is to properly clean/disinfect/sterlise a straight you would generally need to take it apart due to the nooks and crannies where stuff can reside (e.g in the pivot area) and also to protect scales of natural materials (horn, ivory), which generally don't like heat or water.

All metal razors (Wapis, Dovo) could be autoclaved or chemically cleaned, but it is all quite a palaver.

As other posters have said, the chances of getting truly viable nasty organisms on a vintage razor are quite slim.

But as I said, do whatever makes you feel safest & happy.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Cool, thanks :) Go on the Borebrush..... What program is it and what`s the charactor name? I`ll have to look you up lol ;D