Thread: What will a dry-heat autoclave do to the edge?

Originally Posted by Chimensch

As Bruno said, because the law requires it. As for carbon versus stainless steel, what's the difference?

I think oxidation 'could' be an issue with carbon steel. For stainless it wouldn't matter.
But if you didn't want to get a wet autoclave because of the price, the point is moot.

Oxidation is an issue with carbon steel in a steam autoclave. Dipping the needles in a rust preventative prior to bagged sterilization was the solution to the problem.

To kill the bugs the material MUST be sterilized at 265 Fahrenheit or more.

It depends on the steel, of course, but in general a heat treat to 473 °F or 245 °C for any period of time will probably decrease the hardness very slightly. Meaning a Rockwell C hardness of 58 instead of 60 or 62. No big deal. As Russel Baldridge pointed out, Rc of 52 or something can be used for shaving. It might actually be easier to hone and stop, if it lasts perhaps marginally less long. (For what it's worth my dad was a metallurgist witha PhD, none of which transferred to me.)

I say that if that's what the law requires, do it, and see what differences you notice, and let us hear about your experiences!

Matt

Originally Posted by Chimensch

Because I want to use a traditional straight in a barber shop, instead of a disposable-blade, shavette-type razor.

Just a cautionary note, old chap - disregarding all this stuff about disinfection (I'd just use barbicide and hooey to the autoclave - totally unnecessary) - do you have enough insurance? A nick with a shavette is one thing - make a slip with a straight and oooooooooooooo my god do take care! Lawsuits are expensive............

Originally Posted by blueprinciple

Just a cautionary note, old chap - disregarding all this stuff about disinfection (I'd just use barbicide and hooey to the autoclave - totally unnecessary) - do you have enough insurance? A nick with a shavette is one thing - make a slip with a straight and oooooooooooooo my god do take care! Lawsuits are expensive............

I appreciate your point of view ... but there are other considerations. Italy is a very bureaucratic country. Once you get on some agency's list, it never goes away. Then there's the fact that it isn't my shop and that I have a regular job and this will just be a hobby. I can't go into a friend's shop and risk bringing down the health inspectors on him when its his livelihood that's at risk. In fact, my barber offered to take me as an apprentice and train me but I decided to go to school first because I want to do it right. Not that he does it wrong, but he could easily overlook something that is obvious to him but foreign to me. Besides, I'm not much of a risk taker and, if my ducks aren't in a row I'll be so nervous that I'll be sure to slash the very first customer.

Originally Posted by blueprinciple

Just a cautionary note, old chap - disregarding all this stuff about disinfection (I'd just use barbicide and hooey to the autoclave - totally unnecessary) - do you have enough insurance? A nick with a shavette is one thing - make a slip with a straight and oooooooooooooo my god

Disposable blades are much more likely to nick than regular straights, and while regular straights may give smoother shaves, disposable blades are sharper in the 'like a hot knife through butter' sharpness sense.

If I had to shave someone I'd choose a real straight over a disposable for that alone.
Real straights are certainly no more dangerous than disposable (the opposite I'd say).