Thread: Straight Razor Sanitation for Professional Use

In what state do you do your barbering? Most state barbering boards have mandated against the use of straight razors and require that a shavette with a replaceable blade be used.

Regards - Walt

I am in Ohio. I think when HIV hit the scene barber boards did suggest the use of disposable blades but that's before much was known about the disease. All the states I live around allow conventional razors to be used. In fact it is part of the practical examination to become a barber in Ohio and PA to show ones ability to touch up a razor with a barber hone as well as using the strope.

New Jersey states

13:28-3.2 Sanitizing implements and tools

(a) A licensee shall sanitize all implements and tools by:

1. Cleaning all implements and tools thoroughly with a mild alkaline detergent to remove any soil, blood or any other foreign material;

2. Rinsing all implements and tools with tap water after cleaning;

3. Processing all implements and tools with a chemical disinfectant registered by the Environmental Protection Agency and labeled as being tuberculocidal for a contact time as specified on the product label *or processing all implements and tools in an autoclave that is registered with the Federal Food and Drug Administration*;

4. (No change.)

5. Allowing disinfected implements and tools to be air dried and storing them in a clean drawer.

They also require students to be able to hone and strop.

Now that being said....the laws for pedicure tools are much more elaborate. Requiring and enzyme soak and, mild alkaline detergent, then an ultra sonic machine. They also outline a school should provide student with a shaving razor with disposable blades, but do not exclude the use of a traditional straight.

Years ago, I oversaw a study regarding HIV blood contact & contamination for a large Southern California Law Enforcement Organization. The results of the study recommended cleaning re-unable tools & evidence (e.g. crime scene photographic, laboratory equipment & ballistic evidence) handled by technicians with a 10% bleach solution. That is what we used, with no employee infections as a result.

If you really wanted to be sure and thorough, I would suggest using a stainless stell razor (blade and scales), thoroughly cleaning the blade and then run it through a small autoclave. That way, there is no doubt. You could get two or three and that way one is always ready to go. I have a stainless steel Dovo (blade and scales) and it's not a bad razor. You can usually get a small used "office" autoclave for a few hundred dollars from a reputable medical supply company. I think that would comply with any regulations you might incounter. But I definately recommend checking with the State to see what they will be looking for during any inspection.