hygene and straight razors

[shayne]

Hi all

my question is two fold are used straight razors hygienic ? I am assuming so based upon the fact that they are steel and can be bleached or sterilized different ways the wife differs and thinks a used blade will pass on all sort of evils.

second part of my question is about buying second hand what questions should i ask?

the razor I am looking at is a zwilling from the seventies the seller says i cant see the blade in the picture because it is displayed closed.

I am sure the seller has little or no knowledge about this product but want to try and dont really want to be ripped off after all he is asking 800 rmb about 120 usd i think. is that sounding like a good deal?

[janivar123]

if you cant get a good picture of the blade forget it
the value is something you have to decide for yourself...

clean steel is hygenic, rust and pitting can trap moisture that allows microbes to survive more then 24 hours

[Otto]

The razor: If you can't see the blade. DON'T BUY IT.

A final word on sterilization - Straight Razor Place Forums

The Wiki also have lots of good info.

[Utopian]

Do not put bleach on your razor unless you want to destroy it with rust.

[Stubear]

Soap and water will be fine to clean the blade with, no problem. Dont bleach it as that can really damage the blade. The link Otto provided is a good article to read on the subject..!

And I also agree that you shouldnt buy the blade if you cant see it. If the seller wont provide the pictures you want that should ring alarm bells. Definately avoid.

[bknesal]

As Stubear mentioned, soap and water is the way to go. Also, think about it, you use soap and water to clean your hands in the restroom, so why wouldn't it clean something else, say, a blade? Also, if you're still unsure, use an antibacterial soap. Your face likely doesn't carry anything that will harm you, but even if it does, odds are it will be rinsed down the drain before you ever knew it was there.

And yeah, don't buy a razor for any price if you can't see it, ESPECIALLY if you suspect the guy doesn't know much about the stuff.

[red96ta]

Hi all

my question is two fold are used straight razors hygienic ? I am assuming so based upon the fact that they are steel and can be bleached or sterilized different ways the wife differs and thinks a used blade will pass on all sort of evils.

Bleach WILL kill darn near everything, but it's a heavy oxidizer and will damage your blade, so stay away from it. HIV isn't a concern since it wasn't around when the blade was used last. HBV will be destroyed within a few days of exposure to air. Everything else will succomb to 90% alcohol available at your local CVS or Walgreens. Besides, after cleaning the blade and honing, all the potential pathogens are honed away from the edge.

[ezpz]

When I bought razors and wasn't sure how long it had been since they were used I bought a bottle of barbicide. Go talk to a local barber, and get them to get you a bottle, or enough to sterilize your blade in.

[cpcohen1945]

When I bought razors and wasn't sure how long it had been since they were used I bought a bottle of barbicide. Go talk to a local barber, and get them to get you a bottle, or enough to sterilize your blade in.

"Barbicide" is available from sellers on Amazon and eBay, for reasonable prices. There's an anti-rust version, as well as the traditional stuff.

Charles

[Alethephant]

First of all, "sterilization" means killing or rendering non-viable every type of microorganism, including spores. This implies a harsh treatment. "Disinfecting" is more likely what's needed, but this is specific to particular pathogenic agents. "Barbercide" is not a sterilant, nor is alcohol.

The important thing is to focus on critical hazards (those likely to occur). Honing, stropping and even wiping or washing a blade will reduce microorganisms by a level similar to that of disinfectants, if the blade is in good condition and free from rust and pitting. But, even then, if pathogenic microorganisms are not dislodged by such mechanical action, what is the likelihood you will transfer them by shaving?

What are the critical hazards? Viruses such as hepatitis A-E or HIV do not survive long periods in dry environments, so they are not likely to occur on a used razor purchase. (They are an issue in barber shops, where a razor is reused immediately.) S. aureus is hardy, and can survive in a dry environment. Spores can survive indefinitely, but are not likely to be present if the blade is rust free and newly honed and stropped. Clostridia spores are most likely, as they are ubiquitous in the environment.

I'd recommend for a used razor purchase:

1. Repair the blade to remove rust and pitting.
2. Hone to a clean bevel edge, and strop.
3. Wash the blade with soap and water using a toothbrush.
4. Dip the blade into boiling water for at least one minute (5 minutes, if you're paranoid).
5. Cool, and wipe dry.
6. [OPTIONAL] Immerse blade for 2 minutes in a solution of 1 tspn (5 mL) chlorine bleach (6%) plus 1 tspn (5 mL) white vinegar (5-6%) in 1 Qt (1 L) water.

Steps 1-3 will remove contaminating spores, which are not attached by biofilms.

Step 4 will kill any viruses or vegetative cells present.

Step 5 will also be helpful in removing contamination.

Step 6 will kill any spores or vegetative cells, and denature viruses. Chlorine will discolor and corrode even stainless steel, so don't leave the blade too long in the solution.

It is wise to carry out steps 1-5 periodically (monthly?) on your razors, as your most likely risk of infection is not the previous owner but your own spreading of skin pathogens you pick up from yourself. This would be where "Barbercide" would be useful. Other useful disinfectants are tea tree or rosemary oils.