Thread: Question about sterilization

My x wife wanted me sterilized but I refused. Anyhow seriously most bacteria and viruses don't live to long on metal once it is exposed to an agent. Barbasol is all you should need. They also hate direct exposure to sunlight as well. Run the blade under hot water before using.

I use to work in microbiology years ago I think you are fine. Even common soap will wash away most pathogens off a metal surface. One more thing to ponder dilute concentrations of alcohol and bleach kill germs better than full strength or concentrated. It needs the water to enter the cell wall to kill the organism.

My 2 cents on the soap box.

10% formalin for 10 minutes and all will be denaturated.

Hey I never thought of that for use. God knows I have inhaled enough during my 30 years of lab work.

Originally Posted by scottiemann

So I have a WD sight unseen razor on its way to me right now. I know he disinfects them with bleach and alcohol prior to honing but that only takes care of 99% of pathogens. I would like to sterilize the blade, but am I just being paranoid? Should I "ovenclave" it(gradually of course)? will taking a flame to it damage the edge? And I'm talking about a gentle flame quickly, not taking my MAP torch to it... Anyone else have a WD razor and want to weigh in?

And yes I have read through numerous threads regarding disinfecting and sterlizing razors.

Yes you are being a little too cautious , or paranoid as you say, alcohol is the best preventative, and yes a flame will affect the temper of the blade so stay away from that.

Thanks guys for all the feedback, I have many women in my life that either work in hospitals or are licensed cosmetologists so they tend to invoke unnecessary fear especially my SO who is a germaphobe. Personally I dont worry much about such things but I wasnt completely sure what you guys do when purchasing or restoring used razors of unknown origin...

And to clarify I wasnt going to strop before first use, I just wanted to HAVE the strop.

Geek alert! I have a Barbercide container like you see in barber shops. And yeah, its filled with Barbercide.

I soak every blade I get in Barbercide for about 10 mins before I do anything with it, including hone it. While I dont consider myself a germaphobe, I do feel "better safe than sorry".

Now what did I do with Ethylene Oxide capsules and shop gamma radiation unit???

I wish I still worked in a chemical manufacturing lab... toluene and various other solvents as well as various UV ovens...

I unwrapped my WD sight unseen razor and shaved with it. No wiping down, no this, no that. I rinse the blade off with with water and one wipe with a hand towel and I'm good. No rust, no build up, or nothing growing. I've been using it that way for six months and no problems.
Don't overthink this. You are just shaving. If it wasn't perfect under the microscope today, they will grow back for tomorrows shave.
Don't think everything has to be perfect because you are setting yourself up for letdowns. It is a daily chore for most, except for our bearded brethren, so why create stress on a chore? I straight razor shave to relax myself. I must concentration on the shave else a bloodletting will occur. That is experience speaking. I will get several "Amen's" on that.
This is becoming longer than I wanted so I will reiterate the main point:
Just shave and enjoy it.

Are you hear for the feeding? your early, its on saturday. you should come back its gonna be a bloodbath.........