Thread: Is Rubbing Alcohol ok for a Straight Razor?

Originally Posted by Larzz

@sproosemoose:

Also, if you take a look at the Mineral Oil (USP) U.S.P. stands for United States Pharmacopeia, which means that it's medically safe.
......
And once again, it's approved by the United States Pharmacopeia.
For more info on the USP, check out the wiki page on USP at
United States Pharmacopeia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

+12 on all except a caution about the above.
Some very nasty chemicals are tabulated in the USP.

USP is a standard of purity but the medical safety part
is not a given. A quick lookup of various arsenic
compounds will make my point.

Still mineral oil is a good thing for razor steel. Just
wipe and rinse the blade clean prior to use. Since the
ingredients in WD-40 are secret wipe and rinse twice

Wipe it down with hydrogen peroxide. Then wipe it dry and put your mineral oil on it.

Originally Posted by Vnam68

Wipe it down with hydrogen peroxide. Then wipe it dry and put your mineral oil on it.

Peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent! Your razor will not be the same color when you finish with this procedure... use at your own [tremendous] risk.

Some high carbon steels rust quicker than others. How long did your shave take ?
It is possible your blade was wet long enough to get some rust happening.
Keep on top of it with a mild metal polish & keep it oiled.
Absolutely no contact with acids or any oxidisers.
Does anyone know for sure the "scents" in baby oil are safe on carbon steel ?
I use an Aussie made WD spray called "Inox". It is food safe & I spray my carbon steel kitchen knives with it too.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

+12 on all except a caution about the above.
Some very nasty chemicals are tabulated in the USP.

USP is a standard of purity but the medical safety part
is not a given. A quick lookup of various arsenic
compounds will make my point.

Still mineral oil is a good thing for razor steel. Just
wipe and rinse the blade clean prior to use. Since the
ingredients in WD-40 are secret wipe and rinse twice

You are right about the purity part. Because something yields the "USP" label, doesn't necessarily mean it's ok to ingest. But if you know the product your buying is meant to be ingested in the first place, then seeing that USP label means your getting the highest regulated form of that substance...In this case, mineral oil.

I had plastic scales and the alcohol broke the scales. I would not let the scales soak in rubbing alcohol.

I've used alcohol to get rid of water in the pin area. I also wipe clean with a tissue and re-oil with a good mineral oil. I get the oil from the straight razor place. when shaving and rinsing the blade some times water will find it's way in the pin area and other places. just wipe with a tissue a little alcohol in the pin area and re-oil. anyway that's what I do. WD40 will get rid of water but like others said I don't want it on my face.

Rubbing alcohol does not rust!!! It will completely strip the oils from your blade... Leaving it unprotected ! I use alcohol often to clean my razor and then apply camila oil when the blade dries! Barbacide for sterilization for sure...and like mentioned above... It helps with the drying of the blade

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

If you want to sterilize a second hand blade, I highly recommend Barbicide... inexpensive, professional, kills EVERYTHING. Just soak the blade for 10 mins, rinse, dry, and it's sterile.

When I first get a used blade, I will soak it in Barbicide for the required ten minutes, then wipe off. As for the scales, it says you can put them in Barbicide and it won't discolor, but I don't take the chance, just hang the blade itself in the solution.

After that, it's my blade, proper rinsing with hot water, drying between the scales, and letting it air dry is enough. I"ll also place a drop or two of Tuf-Glide in the pivot area, as thats an area prone to rust IME.

Originally Posted by robert2286

Rubbing alcohol does not rust!!! It will completely strip the oils from your blade... Leaving it unprotected ! I use alcohol often to clean my razor and then apply camila oil when the blade dries! Barbacide for sterilization for sure...and like mentioned above... It helps with the drying of the blade

I use alcohol on my blade after every shave to speed evaporation of any remaining water. I have mine in a small spray bottle, immediately dry the blade, let it air dry while I get dressed then strop and hit it with silicone. Contaminated alcohol can and will promote rust. Alcohols have a tremendous ability to mix with and carry water. That water will cause rust if allowed to hang around. Keep your bottle tightly capped and do not soak your blade in it.

I use silicone spray for a rust preventative. Many brands are labeled as safe for incidental food contact and if that puts you off, food grade is widely available. I do not allow alcohol or silicone on my scales.