Framebacks and Barbicide

Hello gents,

So I got an ancient Thiers-Issard frameback last week, and I'd like your opinion on dipping it in Barbicide.

I'd like to go with Barbicide because I had a blood screening scare years ago that made me paranoid with this kind of thing (I'm a regular blood donor and got a false positive in a screening).

I don't have Clippercide or other powerful disinfectant here, only thing I've got is Barbicide imported from the US.

My question is about the frame part. I know Barbicide should be in touch with the blade for no longer than 10 minutes (in fact it should be exactly 10m).

Should I remove the blade from the frame and dip only that? Or is the frame usually sufficiently tight so that liquids can't penetrate it?

Also if I rinse it underwater, how do I remove water from the frame? Or is it a non-problem?

I might find compressed air cans, but haven't so far. I do have WD-40 though.

So what's your opinion on all that?

Thanks in advance for any answer.

Cheers!

Does your razor have a screw where the blade can be removed from the frame? If so, I would remove the blade and dip both in Barbicide after an initial cleaning.

Yes, it does have a screw. Don't know how easy it will be to remove (if the threads are rusty).

So you think it's ok to dip both the blade and the frame if I'm able to take them apart?

Thanks.

Yes. I'd dip both frame and blade in the Barbicide if you can get them apart. Maybe put some WE-40 on the screw to loosen it up.

Do you have a pic of the razor? Is it fairly clean or is it gunked up and in need of a cleaning anyway?

The blade itself looks clean, but the screw seems a bit rusty.

These are the photos from the seller. If you'd like, I could take more detailed photos when I get home.

Attachment 275401Attachment 275402Attachment 275403Attachment 275404

That looks fairly clean. I was thinking that if you needed to do any gunk removal or sanding that the process would probably get rid of any germs. Since that one looks like it will not require much cleaning Barbicide soaking seems appropriate.

What a beauty. Can't wait to get my hands on a true frameback.

Thanks, Wightman. It was a lucky find :-D

That blade has probably not been removed in decades. I'm not sure I'd mess with it. The screw could break and then you be in trouble especially if it's badly rusted.

I would definitely remove it. That way you can make new blades up for it, and remove the blade to hone it. If it breaks, drill it out and tap and die a new one.

Very nice, the classic TI #69, French framebacks are some of my favourites, have one of those, passed another along, they are truly superb shavers.

Keep the scales away from the Barbicide, they can stain them, but make sure you dilute/mix the Barbicide correctly, immerse the razor for 20 minutes, and you'll be good to go....don't touch the blade by removing it, the #69 only came with the one, and you don't want to damage the frame...congrats, that's a real nice one too.

They are awesome shavers sir, when properly honed. It's your razor but try and be careful like you have been told, it's vintage. Mine came with a spare blade tucked in an inner sleeve.

https://i.imgur.com/Bnrrbge.jpg

That way you had a shave ready spare blade. I guess these were for the traveling gentry. I have completely disassembled and restored. And yes the spare blade is honed too. Now I'll have to use mine for a SOTD. Thanks for sharing.
MIke

https://i.imgur.com/gHIa5qh.jpg

So now I'm 50/50 on whether I should disassemble the blade or not 😊🤔🙃

Suppose I don't disassemble the blade, should I do something extra to wipe the Barbicide from inside the frame? Air sprays and Clippercide aren't an option here.

Suppose I do dissemble it, and something goes wrong (say the screw breaks), what kind of trouble am I looking at? How hard would it be to remove the stub and find a new fitting screw?

Awesome cleanup, @MODINE. The extra blade looks like new.

Honestly man. It looks restored and maintained. I'm guessing the screws been out fairly regular or recently at least. All you can do is try turning it a bit, and if it needs tons of pressure just leave it as not to snap it, if that is your wishes. But if that was me, i'd be removing that blade for sure. No sense in calling it ã true frame back with interchangeable/removable blades, if you can't remove them. Might as well just went with a faux frameback.

If you can't take it apart, another option would be seeing if anyone you know has a UV sterilization cabinet. Some friends gave us one to sanitize our baby's stuff, but I haven't used it on my razors (maybe I will now). I've spent so much sanding/polishing my razors and cleaning them with alcohol they should be safe.

I use Andis Cool Care spray to clean and disinfect after every shave. Hold by the pivot pin while covering your scales and dose her good. Shake out any excess and let air dry. No problems with rust or corrosion. have fun. http://straightrazorpalace.com/shave...ml#post1778195
Mike

https://i.imgur.com/y9KAPM7.jpg

Decided to try disassembling the blade. The screw was actually quite easy to remove, yay!

Attachment 275516Attachment 275517

Dipped just the blade in Barbicide, rinsed it off, dried with toilet paper and then a hair dryer. Covered it in mineral oil and reassembled the razor.

Thanks all for the inputs.

Looks beautiful buddy. Nice razor ya got there. And ya can't go wrong with a Thiers Issard.

Thanks, Wightman!

Now off to 3 or 4 hours of honing, haha.

If you're any good with steel work, make up or have made new blades for it. Use that pattern and than can make multiple different points and everything. I'm in the process of hopefully getting one, and definitely a future project for me.

That's an excellent idea. A 7 day blade only set.

Do you think a knifesmith would be able to make a flat blade such as the one used here?

What would be a good steel to use?

I'm not sure of the steel. Anything that's good for a razor. Sure there's plenty of threads here or knowledgeable people to answer that question. Bû certainly. Anyone who does any steel work what so ever could. You could even do it easily with a few files, grinder, and belt sander. Just need to start with the proper thickness, cut out the design, heat treat it, and throw an edge on it. Toughest part would be the heat treating. But could just stick it in some coals/embers until it's nice and evenly red. Than dip it in some oil, than bake it.

I don't really believe it is that simple Wightman. Bladesmith's are tradesmen, and are taught the proper way to make a razor blade. That's why there are so few custom makers that make quality blades. It's an art and a science. Not just something "anyone who does any steel work what so ever could"

I'm a farmer, and I do fabricate parts when needed, and weld pretty dang good. But I wouldn't go trying to make a straight razor blade........but that's just me

Or, one could simply buy a beautiful vintage 7 Day Frameback set, by Jacques Lecoultre like this one....I have a 3 day version:

Attachment 275531

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Originally Posted by Dieseld

I don't really believe it is that simple Wightman. Bladesmith's are tradesmen, and are taught the proper way to make a razor blade. That's why there are so few custom makers that make quality blades. It's an art and a science. Not just something "anyone who does any steel work what so ever could"

I'm a farmer, and I do fabricate parts when needed, and weld pretty dang good. But I wouldn't go trying to make a straight razor blade........but that's just me

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Don't see why you guys think it's so impossible for a normal guy
I have to respectfully disagree. There are thousands of everyday Joes now that make custom knives and razors. Definitely different qualities and levels of expertise to them. But if you have the right tools, know how, and drive to do it... you can do anything. And this is just a flat blade. What would be so difficult of making it from using the stock removal technique? Forging it might be a little difficult getting them to the right thickness etc, and a ton of sandiñg and what not. I agree on normal straights, making a hollow blade would be difficult without the double grinding wheels. But I don't know why you guys think it's so impossible for a normal guy to try his hand at making them. Would every knifesmith not have had to started that way? And for sure you will have alot of mistakes, and mess ups and start overs and work with and around messups as you go. But I don't see why anyone who has the passion, know how and tools, can't have a go at it.

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There are thousands of everyday Joes now that make custom knives and razors. Definitely different qualities and levels of expertise to them.

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Yes some knives, but very few razors. And seriously, are they useful and give the proper shave? Isn't the quality and usefulness of the product what matters?

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Would every knifesmith not have had to started that way?

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Nope, most apprentice under a master to learn. I mean why waste thousands of dollars and make the learning curve decades instead of years?

I haven't held one of these blades, but I'm pretty sure there is an edge, or thickness to the top to hold it in. If I'm mistaken, then I'm sure someone will correct me

I agree with you tho... it wouldn't be so simple as I make it seem.lol and all good things do take time and practice. but no, they slide in. Hold in, notched at the back. And the screw in þe front holds it in place on the front notch. And not every one making blades has apprenticed. And that's the wonderful thing about the days we are in of technology.... years and years of knowledge and techniques etc, crammed into a few learning sessions. Than comes the hands on practice. As long as you can wrap your mind around HOW it is done, and how you will do it. You can do it.

Making the shape isn't too hard. Heat treating will be a pain. Heat treating anything thin is a pain...

And if it's costing you thousands of dollars, and decades. You should give up the practice. Sure you will get better in time. But if you are just failing for 'decades' and 'wasting' thousands, You suck.

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Originally Posted by criswilson10

Making the shape isn't too hard. Heat treating will be a pain. Heat treating anything thin is a pain...

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That's what I'm saying man. To copy this template will not be hard. The heat treatiñ yea, cause you have to have a forge of some sort if you're doing it 'conventionally proper'. But no, to make these blades wouldn't be that difficult. If you can cut away steel into a simple design you want. You can make these.

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Originally Posted by Wightman

If you're any good with steel work, make up or have made new blades for it. Use that pattern and than can make multiple different points and everything. I'm in the process of hopefully getting one, and definitely a future project for me.

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Talk to Bruno of Snail Forge he'll tell you how easy it is to make a shaveable straight razor....:w

;)i'm not trying to take from anyone or discredit them for their work or hard earned time they have put in. But I'm sure Bruno will even agree this is not a difficult build from stock removal of a proper thickness bar. And as long as you can put an edge on, that should not be an issue either.

You guys are just saying, oh you can't do it, you can't do it because YOU can't do it. Doesn't mean if this guy doesn't have the know how and passion to do it, that he can't do it.

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Originally Posted by Wightman

You guys are just saying, oh you can't do it, you can't do it because YOU can't do it. Doesn't mean if this guy doesn't have the know how and passion to do it, that he can't do it.

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Then go ahead and do it - lead by example and show us...otherwise, it's all talk, no walk.

Big hat, no cowboy....we'll await your first take at it then.;)

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Originally Posted by Wightman

You guys are just saying, oh you can't do it, you can't do it because YOU can't do it. Doesn't mean if this guy doesn't have the know how and passion to do it, that he can't do it.

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Indeed, if you have passion and determination you can achieve most things. No one has the right to cast doubt on someones ambitions. However, saying you can simply make new razors easily is going to raise a few eyebrows

In all honesty Prank, I will. Give it due time. I'm working on a few scales for people right now. But i'll be trying my hand at a full razor, and these blades soon enough. I'll post when up. I have a razor on the go now and basically just needs the hollow ground into it. But I made it out of just scrap steel that I found. So I'm going to just scrap it and start over on a fresh bar of proper steel. Mind you I only do stock removal, and I give credit to forging, because there is a large difference between the two. Forging in my eyes is also more Making the actual steel and blade. There is a lot more room for mistake and it's a lot more hands on to get there. That seems difficult to me. I myself, do not find stock removal that difficult. Time consuming yes. But not difficult.

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Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Indeed, if you have passion and determination you can achieve most things. No one has the right to cast doubt on someones ambitions. However, saying you can simply make new razors easily is going to raise a few eyebrows

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Yea no, I agree with you there. And I shouldn't make it seem so easy as to take from those who know how hard it is because they make their own.lol but in all honesty, I think most people could make a simple flat blade like this. Even if just with files and a sander. But you're right. Knife and blade making isn't 'simple'.

The word simple is the breaking point that I see.

Blades are not rocket science and I have made parts for the space shuttle.......:rofl2:

To copy those blades would not be that difficult.

If it would be worth the time and energy is another story.

And guys, I'm not trying to make anyone angry here or think I'm a Dick or anything. I give respect to all of your guys ideas and input. You all have much more knowledge and experience in all of this than I do, and I will always respect that. But I do enjoy creating and feel any one of you could as well if you put the time and effort into it. Nothing is unobtainable. This is not something that can not be achieved.

Just wanted to clarify I'm not trying to argue with or undermine any of you. I respect and appreciate all of your input and opinions. It is all of you that I learn most of my knowledge from.