Thread: Goo on razor

Originally Posted by BobKincaid

I recently purchased a razor that was said to have been "in storage in a warehouse."
......
It reminds me, in a way, of the cosmolene that was used on firearms. It's also reminiscent of old cooking oil that's been reduced to goo in an skillet.

Any suggestions for removing this stuff? I hesitate to even strop it until I get rid of this stuff. Don't want it getting on a perfectly good strop.

Thanks in advance for any input!

It depends on what it is.... By the sound of it it is
old oxidized preservative oil --

You can apply a little bit of vegetable oil and let
it rest for an hour then wipe off. A couple applications
may be needed.

WD40 is a good goo remover.

If it is a spray on lacquer removal will be
harder but if it is hard to remove it will
not hurt the strop.

You can strop on newsprint for a while
and just toss the top layer of paper.

Try the obvious safe bets -- hot water and
shave soap, mineral oil, wipe with tissue....

I geuninely appreciate all the input. What a wonderful community this is!

At this point, I'm almost 100% convinced it's a cosmolene-like substance. I'll WD 40 it tomorrow and report back.

The other thing I've noticed is that there's a green oxidation on the lower file jimps. Hopefully, that lets loose, too.

If it all works out this is going to be a lovely all-metal piece. Granted, a fingerprint magnet, but sort of space-agey for such an otherwise retro instrument. Soviets. Go figure. It certainly has a personality all its own, complete to the not-quite-5/8s but not-4/8s-either outward angle-ended blade.

Somebody help me. I think RAD owns my soul at this point.

I'd like to see a picture of old stainless scales. Can you take a "whole razor in one" shot so I can check it out?

Originally Posted by RobertH

I'd like to see a picture of old stainless scales. Can you take a "whole razor in one" shot so I can check it out?

They're "old" scales only in the same sense that I, myself, am old. They were represented to be from the mid-1960s. Everything about the razor seems to confirm that, from the box to the oxidization on the jimps, to the aforementioned ancient goo.

Very cool. I saw you could buy stainless steel scales from classicshaving.com for restoration but I haven't seen a razor using them yet. Original is even cooler! Thanks!

Plain old metal polish should remove it.

That looks like a Wapi / Wapenica from the pic


Spray Brake Cleaner should do the trick BTW if WD-40 doesn't

This thing's going to melt his face off after all these chemicals it's getting dunked into! Haha.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

That looks like a Wapi / Wapenica from the pic

That would make sense. It was represented as being of Polish manufacture during the Soviet era.

JimmyHAD's suggestion is a good one - lighter fluid also contains naphta that shifts a lot of residues. As the scales are not an issue, again as Jimmy says, use any solvent that works, mineral spirits (methylated spirit), paraffin/kerosine, petrol (in an open space well clear of any naked flames), acetone (nail varnish remover), benzine or toluene (both known carcinogens), xylene and so on.

As Bladerunner says, heat may help. Holding the blade in hot water with a strong dose of detergent in it might do the trick, helped along with a green washing-up scrubby (don't scrub too hard). Don't go to steel wool!

Regards,
Neil