Thread: Sterile blades

Is it necessary to sterilise a straight razor blade prior to every/any use when it is just used on yourself? Have I been doing something silly by not sterilising my straights?


Many thanks,

Mick

Try using the wiki. There is good coverage of this topic there. Here you go buddy. This may shed a little light onto your query.
Sterilization - Straight Razor Place Wiki

For your own razors theres no need to sterilise them, as they're only being used on you. For older razors, you could sterilise them if you wanted to but theres no real need. The cleaning process with soapy water and polish will probably finish off any bugs that are on there and honing takes you down to fresh steel on the edge anyway.

Plus the fact that most nasty's dont last long outside the body anyway.

I clean all my eBay razors with soapy water then MAAS and I reckon that probably does the job! If you really want to use a chemical though, barbicide or a household disinfectant like Dettol will do the job nicely.

Thanks to you both. I only asked as in my researching the'net earlier this evening, I came across some information that stated I should be sterilising to save myself from facial infections. To be honest it put the wind up me a bit. That's why I posted without thinking to look in the Wiki as well.


Mick

I think facial infection is more apt to happen when your face is dirty...The blade as you use it is being cleand in the soap and water. THe act of "shaving" alone will keep chances of infection down. From my experieces of living in the Jungle or outside for long periods, guys who didn't shave everyday were the ones that got infections, due to all the trapped dirt and sweat produced.

I understand that as well, having served in my early years and trained for jungle conditions, I should have known better. Like I said, I posted without thinking. If I had have stopped and thought about the information I had just read, I would have muttered 'bullshit' under my breath and moved on.
Thanks for your reply, all the same. It's good to see people willing to be so helpful.


Mick

Guys I don't know about you but I will not work with a razor that I get off Ebay or somewhere else without putting it in some solution such as Barbicide. You can purchase at a local beauty supply company and it will last you a long time.

I don't know who had it, I don't know who used it, I don't know when it was last used. For the price of a bottle of Barbicide < $10 it's a no-brainer for me.

I've done this not only with straight razors but also single edged and double edged razors that I've purchased from Ebay.

Once it is in the household I just use regular cleansers on them. On the single and double edged I'll hit them with bathroom scum cleaner once in a while to get the soap residue off them. Straights don't have that problem.

Ed

Sure there is always the chance you could pick something up if you don't disinfect it but there is probably more of a chance on your way to work tomorrow you will be in a fatal wreck.

Thanks Ed, the razors in question have been in my possession from new and have been used solely by me.


Mick

Originally Posted by eddelgado

Guys I don't know about you but I will not work with a razor that I get off Ebay or somewhere else without putting it in some solution such as Barbicide. You can purchase at a local beauty supply company and it will last you a long time.

I don't know who had it, I don't know who used it, I don't know when it was last used. For the price of a bottle of Barbicide < $10 it's a no-brainer for me.

I've done this not only with straight razors but also single edged and double edged razors that I've purchased from Ebay.

Once it is in the household I just use regular cleansers on them. On the single and double edged I'll hit them with bathroom scum cleaner once in a while to get the soap residue off them. Straights don't have that problem.

Ed