Thread: Would it be safe to use Autoclave on SR?

Yes, I have done a search prior but it seems there is conflicting information between many people.

Is there anyone who has ever done it? It seems most threads are about people assuming what will happen.

I realize the scales would melt but this would be used for just the blade itself.

My wife uses an Autoclave daily at work and she can take my razors to get Autoclaved. Is it safe for the metal?

you risk damaging the scales and maybe the temper of the razor(not sure on this one though)
There are other ways to disinfect the blade without having to use specialized equipment.
You can alcohol rinse, or use barbicide

My wife uses an Autoclave daily at work and she can take my razors to get Autoclaved.

are you going to unpin them every time they need to be autoclaved?

Why do you need to autoclave your razor's blade? I would just wipe it down with some medicinal alcohol.

To even try to answer accurately the "smart steel guys" are going to need temperature attained, and duration of that tempature....
Otherwise they have to guess...

Yes, they would be unpinned. It would be for my blades I need to get restored and would be sending out. They would be autoclaved only once.

For example almost all Ebay SR's I see need there scales restored or they need all new scales. So they would defiantly be unpinned.


Glen is there anyone you know that autoclaves there razors? Is there a way to get a definite answer to my question?

Might I recommend Barbicide?

Originally Posted by esp

Yes, they would be unpinned. It would be for my blades I need to get restored and would be sending out. They would be autoclaved only once.

For example almost all Ebay SR's I see need there scales restored or they need all new scales. So they would defiantly be unpinned.


Glen is there anyone you know that autoclaves there razors? Is there a way to get a definite answer to my question?

I don't understand why you want to autoclave, but to each his own.

I disagree hat almost all Ebay SR's need their scales removed/need restoration, but that's neither here nor there.

If you can provide the temp and duration info, a steel guy should be able to answer even if they have never actually autoclaved a razor.

the autoclave temperatures won't do anything to the temper. the humidity may cause rust though, but that depends on a lot of things, like the current state of the blade, and steel composition for example.

it's basically pointless exercise since the pathogens you kill off in a autoclave are just as easy to get rid of by just leaving the razor alone for a couple of weeks.

Originally Posted by gugi

the autoclave temperatures won't do anything to the temper. the humidity may cause rust though, but that depends on a lot of things, like the current state of the blade, and steel composition for example.

it's basically pointless exercise since the pathogens you kill off in a autoclave are just as easy to get rid of by just leaving the razor alone for a couple of weeks.

+1 on all of the above. I am a pro tattoo artist and use them all the time. IIRC the temper is unaffected below 400 degrees. A steam clave will sterilize between 250 and 265. I've got a couple of hundred vintage .... used .... razors and never did more than wash them with Scrubbing Bubbles and maybe polish the blade with metal polish. On many of them I didn't even do that and I've shaved with almost all of them. No worries with less extreme measures.

The autoclave we use at the dental office usually gets between 350 and 375....just under the temperature to soften steel. Having said that, razors are meant to last generations and dental tools are meant to last about two years. No only that, but it's likely pressurized steam autoclave and will likely damage those scales and promote rapid rusting.

I advise against it.