Safety Razor Maintenance

Hey all!

I've been reading for a while, and am now getting around to finally posting. I am really enjoying the "classic" wet shave experience, and it is FAR better than anything I could get from my Gilette Fusion, and more fun, to boot. I've been using my Merkur 23C for 3 weeks, and am getting the hang of it, and have been getting pretty BBS shaves for the last couple weeks, with little to no razor-burn. Needless to say, I'm hooked.

In the interest of trying an adjustable DE safety razor, I picked up a 1962 vintage gilette slim adjustable. It came last night, and was in nice shape. Before using it, I wanted to make sure it is clean and sterile so I soaked the head in vodka (I didn't have any barbacide or rubbing alcohol on hand) for about 15 minutes, and then washed it with soap and water and let it dry. The question is, with the mechanism in these things, I think it needs a drop or two of oil, especially after the soak in alcohol. Am I correct in this, and is standard household or sewing machine oil adequate, and where should I put a drop of oil?

Thanks for the newbie help!! This board has been a great help!

I use mineral oil but sewing machine oil or just about any light oil will work. It doesn't hurt to put a few drops along the adjuster too. You might do this once a month or so.

I mainly shave with a str8 but on occasion I use a DE when I'm pressed for time. When I finish shaving I remove the blade and run hot water over the head of the razor to heat it up to aid drying then shake off excess water and wipe with dry towel. This also helps keep gunk from building up where the blade sits. I've receive some pretty nasty DEs that were loaded with gunk from poor maintenance. With proper maintenance that slim should last you a life time. Hope this helps.

Yeah, I'm working up the courage to try a straight. Ernie (Nerdman) has my great-great uncle's in for a repinning and cleaning. After it gets honed up, I'll be giving it a try.

Thanks for the tip. I thought these would need a bit of oil to avoid gumming up from soap residue. It is ever necessary/possible to disassemble the gillette's to clean the inner workings?

Nerdman does good work, he will do you right. Him and I have bought/sold/traded with other.

I wouldn't think you would have to disassemble it for cleaning. Just give it a good scrubbing once a month with Scrubbing Bubbles or something similar and a shot of oil. If ever in doubt put it in a pan of water and boil it for 20-30 minutes followed by oiling and some metal polish. I've turned some real gunky nasty looking razor into real lookers with the info in this post.

That would be really cool to shave with a great great grandfather's razor. My uncle has one of grandpa's razors, a Gillette Slim Adjustable, don't know where his str8s went. I do have his old Norton hone though.

Good luck on the str8 when you get it back, wish you a successful journey!

When I use to restore DEs I would soak them in mineral oil. As for cleaning scrubbing bubbles does work great I always had a can handy and still do when I use DE. The the thing with the Vintage DEs is the plating you need to be very careful it will come off. If you are going to try to polish use a mild polish and a soft touch. I learned the hard way to see a nice shiny copper spot. Good Luck with your straight razor you will love it just take it slow and enjoy.