Thread: Autoclave

Hi all, I just got a couple of second hand straights, and was looking at ways to sanitize them. I saw in the wiki that they can be autoclaved, which I have access to (I know several Dentistry students at my University), and I was wondering if anyone knows if autoclaving them will damage either the scales (plastic) or the edge?

Cheers,
Tom

Autoclaves only go up to 121-134 degrees celcius, or 250-272f.

That "should" be low enough to not damage the temper, but would be very bad for most scales.

The other reason to avoid an autoclave, is that it's gigantic overkill.

Simply dipping the blade in rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol should kill pretty much anything, and poses absolutely no risk to the blade, no risk to the scales since there's no reason to put any on the scales, and no risk to your buddy for misusing company or university equipment.

Or a wash in hot water followed by a thorough drying.