Thread: Is Rubbing Alcohol ok for a Straight Razor?

Bump, would wiping the razor (blade, not the scales obviously) down with regular store-bought alcohol help with evaporation and prevent oxidization?

Originally Posted by Pedigree

Bump, would wiping the razor (blade, not the scales obviously) down with regular store-bought alcohol help with evaporation and prevent oxidization?

IMHO I would say that it would help with the evaporation of water but not prevent oxidation. You have to protect the blade from the moisture in the air (humidity).

Just my 2¢

Rubbing Alcohol has a tendency to attract water/ absorb. Best to stay with ethyl alcohol for sterilization. ( hand sanitizer)

There are two types of isopropyl alcohol that can be purchased. One is common 70% rubbing alcohol that is 70% alcohol and 30% water. In this concentration, the alcohol will evaporate more rapidly than the water leaving behind a film of water on your razor. This is NOT what you want to occur as it can lead to corrosion of a carbon steel blade. However, for disinfecting purposes, it is better because the alcohol evaporates more slowly at that concentration. Thus, alcohol wipes used for medical purposes will be 70%.

The other type is 91% isopropyl alcohol. That concentration is a azeotrope. That is a fancy term that means that at that concentration the alcohol and water will evaporate at exactly the same rate such that no water will be left behind. That is ideal for razors. You can also mix the 91% alcohol with mineral oil. The alcohol and water will evaporate leaving behind a thin layer of mineral oil to prevent corrosion. If you have a large collection of blades, this is an ideal way to preserve your collection.

Ray is correct.
I keep a bottle of Everclear in the garage

Originally Posted by RayClem

There are two types of isopropyl alcohol that can be purchased. One is common 70% rubbing alcohol that is 70% alcohol and 30% water. In this concentration, the alcohol will evaporate more rapidly than the water leaving behind a film of water on your razor. This is NOT what you want to occur as it can lead to corrosion of a carbon steel blade. However, for disinfecting purposes, it is better because the alcohol evaporates more slowly at that concentration. Thus, alcohol wipes used for medical purposes will be 70%.

The other type is 91% isopropyl alcohol. That concentration is a azeotrope. That is a fancy term that means that at that concentration the alcohol and water will evaporate at exactly the same rate such that no water will be left behind. That is ideal for razors. You can also mix the 91% alcohol with mineral oil. The alcohol and water will evaporate leaving behind a thin layer of mineral oil to prevent corrosion. If you have a large collection of blades, this is an ideal way to preserve your collection.

Thank you for clarifying!