Thread: Cleaning the inside of the handle of a Straight Razor

I saw Lynn Abrams use a piece of toilet tissue to dry out the inside of the handle (schales) of a straight razor on a video after he got done shaving and before putting it away. I have done that but at times the paper didn't want to co-operate and was a PITA to get up in there. Now, it's a piece of cake.
I use the "hook" at the end of the tang, the "monkey's tail" and put the paper on the razor scales and use the hook to pull it though. Quite easy now to get the paper in. Merely move the razor blade so that the "end" is out of the scale and pointing back to the handle and put the paper on the handle and rotate the blade so that it grabs the paper and hooks it and drags it though the handle. When on the other side, the paper comes off the blade "hook" but the TP is now on the inside and you merely swipe up and down with the paper to get rid of any latent water that might still be in there. You don't want water in the handle part when you close up the blade and put it away.
Just thought it might be useful for some newcomer as I found it now a breeze to dry out the inner part of the handle after shaving.

When cleaning scales after shaving and during "restoration", I've had success using a bristled pipe cleaner to scrape out the accumulated gunk. Sometimes I wrap toilet paper around that to get out any moisture. I've also found that mineral oil will help loosen up and dissolve the gunk.

Great idea, I'll try that in the morning.

Welcome to the forums easyace!

I find that running a razor through an ultrasonic bath clears off a lot of trapped gunk. I did that a couple of times to a razor I bought and the water was grey by the time I removed the razor, from all the crud trapped between the scales.

For my daily shave I use a Kleenex tissue. I just stick the pointed corner through the scales if it is necessary. I take a look and see if I inadvertently got any droplets in there. I am careful to keep the scales dry when I shave. For cleaning gunked up scales on vintage acquisitions I've got a rubbermaid tub with a lid. I filled it with the contents of the pump spray version of Scrubbing Bubbles. I drop the razor in there for a few minutes and let it soak. When it is ready I go to work with toothbrush, Q-tips and dental floss for up around the pivot. Gibbs, be careful with your new found method of inserting the TP. Seems to me you could slice your fingers if you weren't careful.

I've used dental floss in the plast to clean the inside of the scales and pins on the razors I kept intact. I caught the suggestion from someone here. It works well though.

Sorry if someone already mentioned it hear...i just skimmed the thread.

I generally use a Q-tip for cleaning on the inside and sometimes use a bit of mothers polish on it. You can also vary the thickness of the Q-tip by just pulling off a little of the cotton as appropriate. For cleaning around the pivot though, dental floss and MAAS work great as well.

Are we talking about Restoration or after shaving here????

Originally Posted by Harvitz81

I generally use a Q-tip for cleaning on the inside and sometimes use a bit of mothers polish on it. You can also vary the thickness of the Q-tip by just pulling off a little of the cotton as appropriate. For cleaning around the pivot though, dental floss and MAAS work great as well.

I put the Q-tip on a little anvil I have and flatten the end some with a ball pein hammer. Works well to get into tighter scales.