Thread: blade antiseptic

i've read about it a few places that some alcohol based antiseptic should be applied to the blade to kill off the shave bacteria and what not off of it, i know i've seen barbers soak their blades into one of those beaker looking things filled with green antiseptic. what are your thoughts on this? does anybody use it? is it useful?

thanks

The WIKI is great:
Sterilization - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Originally Posted by m147

i've read about it a few places that some alcohol based antiseptic should be applied to the blade to kill off the shave bacteria and what not off of it, i know i've seen barbers soak their blades into one of those beaker looking things filled with green antiseptic. what are your thoughts on this? does anybody use it? is it useful?

thanks

I have never used alcohol on any of my str8 razor blades to disinfect them.

However, suppose that applying some isopropyl (wood) or grain alcohol to a towel and gently wiping the blade with it should kill most common bacteria.

I would avoid getting alcohol on the scales of your razor, though.

I pre-heat my blade in hot water prior to starting shave. I will admit this is not for antiseptic reasons. I just like the feeling of a warm bade against my face. I haven't given any antiseptic treatments to my blades prior to shaving. I doubt that more than 0.0000001% of people who shave do any antiseptic treaments to any shaving device (electric, safety, DE, twin, Mach's, et al) prior to shaving. I know I never have.

Originally Posted by jhenry

However, suppose that applying some isopropyl (wood) or grain alcohol to a towel and gently wiping the blade with it should kill most common bacteria.

In the interest of the continued health and well being of our members, everyone should be advised that isopropyl alcohol (isopropynol) is not wood alcohol. Wood alcohol is methyl alcohol or methanol. It is toxic (as are all alcohols), but has added risk as it is easily absorbed through skin.

I use Barbicide, You know, the old blue jar in the Barber's or Hair cutting salon. If you go to Sally's beauty supply, etc..They sell the concentrate and the Jar's, if you have room on your counter, It looks kinda cool too....
I normally have it over to the right on a half wall beteen this rather large bathroom counter and the tub I've also added a small metal shoe shelf to add and extra level for my stuff.....Now, I have no problems, I used to just put the blade in, and let the scales hang over the side, now, I submerge the whole thing, when it comes out, I let it air dry, but help the pins by using some compressed air, like you'd use on your computer keyboard...It speeds the drying process, and none of my scales have compained, Barbers have been using this for year, I believe it to be safe on Celluloid and metal, Some wood, I'm not sure, if it's coated, I'd say yes....Use at your own risk....
If anyone else has info, please share....

Originally Posted by m147

i've read about it a few places that some alcohol based antiseptic should be applied to the blade to kill off the shave bacteria and what not off of it, i know i've seen barbers soak their blades into one of those beaker looking things filled with green antiseptic. what are your thoughts on this? does anybody use it? is it useful?

thanks

Sanitation while shaving is important. If you are
the only person using your razor (as you should be)
then sanitation is the key goal and not sterilization.
Barbers have multiple customers so sterilization over
and beyond sanitation is important.

Alcohol based antiseptics are a good thing but should
be followed by a light application of oil to prevent rust.
Shave soap has very good qualities for removing bacteria
from the surface of the razor and your skin and may
be all you need and is all many use.

Individuals (and families) with acne involving bacteria should
be more aggressive in their sanitation process.

The WIKI article on Sterilization is a good one

I'm fascinated with the continuing germ-o-phobia. Sterilizing one's own shaving tools seems well over the top to me, but if it is a requirement for the really worried among us, then do it the right way, not by half measure.

Remove any scales which are not stainless steel and replace them with stainless steel scales. After each shave scrub the razor with a brush and soap and hot water, rinse in hot water, then place the unit in your autoclave and process with pressurized steam. Hones may also have to be autoclaved as they can become carriers of pathogens. Strops, on the other hand, are more likely carriers of bad things, but will become ruined in an autoclave - and here we may have hit the wall. You may be able to clean your razor so the next use won't anoint your exfoliated face with germs, but maintaining the edge of that razor may not be possible.

Then we, of course, have the same issues with the brush and soaps or creams. The brush will be the worst offender as it is only cleaned by rinsing the lather off, a dip in a sterilizing bath may help, but who knows what germs may lurk without the lengthy "sauna" in the 285 degree steam - which will kill the brush: another problem. And just because the soaps and creams came from a factory/shop somewhere, who's to know if proper antiseptic procedures were use by the manufacturer?

This has to be dilemma upon anxiety upon worry for the really cleanliness concerned. Fortunately my OCDs are taken up with other things and I can just blithely shave away.

Whew,

Originally Posted by Bruce

I'm fascinated with the continuing germ-o-phobia.
.....

Me too.

After all wet shaving is all about soap and water
which is all 99% of us need for sanitation. As long
as we do not share kit, basic sanitation does the trick.....

A true germophobe wouldn't likely use alcohol as it just isn't strong enough and bleach oxidizes the blade. Look for a product called Asepticare. We use it to disinfect in our dental office and it kills darn near EVERYTHING. Remember that disinfection will NOT kill all the bugs...it only reduces their numbers. The only way to sterilize is to clean the blade, package it and autoclave it. Autoclaving will not damage the temper as the temps only go to about 250 degrees. Additionally, autoclaving will not work if the residual bioburden is not removed prior to autoclaving.