Thread: Ebay blades always unclean?Possibly risk of transmitable infections?

I am no expert in this matter, but I always try to sterilize them. You can get through 10 razors, but it's that 11th one that gets you the herpes.

1) Boil a pot of water, carefully dunk the blade portion of the razor for a few minutes. (5 to 10 minutes).
2) Prepare a cup of diluted bleach. About 10 to 20% by volume should do it. I don't have any razors with plating, but I've heard that chlorine can damage. So use diluted solution first.
3) Spray rubbing alcohol on the razor and wipe clean. I use the 99% Isopropyl, but not sure if concentration matters.

The chlorine and boiling would almost definitely kill them bacterias and fungus, but I don't know about viruses.
I know there are anti-viral cleaning products out there, but have not used them.

I would trust your parents' instincts and not trust anything you buy from the ebay. Take all precautions.

Edit: So I've done some 10 minute research and it seems that most virii can not live outside of the body for very long.
There are some that do live for quite some time though.
In the same report that 32t sites:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/A/aFAQ.htm
states that Hepatis A can live outside the body for months. :<

Don't touch that door knob!!

Just the fact that you are sanding, honing and stropping the blade will kill everything on it, plus you are using shaving "soap" with is disinfecting. Boiling could damage the temper of the blade, a quick dip in and out of boiling water would probably be enough. Barbicide would be the best way

Originally Posted by rodb

Just the fact that you are sanding, honing and stropping the blade will kill everything on it, plus you are using shaving "soap" with is disinfecting. Boiling could damage the temper of the blade, a quick dip in and out of boiling water would probably be enough. Barbicide would be the best way

Rob! You are Spot On!

I can’t believe how paranoid some people can be!!

Wipe the damn blade off with some alcohol, ‘dip’ it some boiling water and or use the Barbicide!!!

For the love of God! The blades that are being discussed here haven’t’ been used in years!!!!

Does anyone really think that a blade would still have the ability to transmit a virus or bacteria that the previous owner had after all these years??

I could see wanting to have some reassurance if the blade had been used by someone very recently but to be so paranoid about something that hasn’t been used for years and years just doesn’t make any sense!!

Get Real!

Oh! I hope all will remember to use the alcohol wipes provided at the grocery store each and every time they use the shopping cart at the grocery store!!

You can’t be Too Careful!!

Walk into the bathroom

Pick up the Disposable razor that is probably sitting there IN THE BATHROOM, that was left there with Skin, Hair, Soap, and Water still inside it...
Explain how dirty the bathroom of a house really is (if you are unsure GIYF) that little cartridge probably has way more potential to cause hygiene related problems than your straight razor that you clean, oil, and care for after every shave, let dry completely, and strop to clean off the edge before your next shave...

Boiling water is not hot enough to effect temper: but it will sure mess up scales...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Boiling water is not hot enough to effect temper: but it will sure mess up scales...

Preach it, brother!

I have so many razors with screwed up scales thanks to previous owners and boiling water...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Walk into the bathroom

Pick up the Disposable razor that is probably sitting there IN THE BATHROOM, that was left there with Skin, Hair, Soap, and Water still inside it...
Explain how dirty the bathroom of a house really is (if you are unsure GIYF) that little cartridge probably has way more potential to cause hygiene related problems than your straight razor that you clean, oil, and care for after every shave, let dry completely, and strop to clean off the edge before your next shave...

Boiling water is not hot enough to effect temper: but it will sure mess up scales...

Thanks Glen!

I thought that I was the only one with any common sense about this issue!

Maybe we should form a 'Club' 'The Old and Sensible Ba****ds'!!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Walk into the bathroom

Pick up the Disposable razor that is probably sitting there IN THE BATHROOM, that was left there with Skin, Hair, Soap, and Water still inside it...
Explain how dirty the bathroom of a house really is (if you are unsure GIYF) that little cartridge probably has way more potential to cause hygiene related problems than your straight razor that you clean, oil, and care for after every shave, let dry completely, and strop to clean off the edge before your next shave...

Boiling water is not hot enough to effect temper: but it will sure mess up scales...

I never thought about a cartridge razor like that before, yuck!! That's another reason to never use those things!

They are right!

Every man who was shaved with them in the 1800's to early 1900's is either dead or dying!

Seriously though, I did get my tetanus shot recently.

Bear in mind that the plural of anecdote is NOT data.

However.

For the last year I've been shaving with about 60 different razors, all but four of which have come from eBay. I've cut myself with badly rusted blades.

No illnesses.

The odds for catching something from a razor are quite low. The most effective preventative for surface-transmissible diseases is washing, which razors get rather more thoroughly in the course of their regular use than most other items.

Any virus, bacteria, fungal spore or prion which survives sanding, polishing and honing deserves the chance to get higher up the food chain.