Thread: rubbing alcohol & rust

I agree it seems to happen if I do this process. I always dry the blade then let set to further air dry then coat with razor oil and lightly wipe the excess oil off before putting it away. I guess I am wondering if any of these things is known to promote patina, it is actually more like dark grey staining that won't wipe off without polish.

I use rubbing alcohol out of the plastic drug store bottle. Just open the blade and submerge the blade only for 5 min but I always thought perhaps just a dip is enough to kil anything rather then letting it soak. I also had a bottle of that barbasol I used for a week or two before a curious friend broke the bottle ;( it was more of a novelty then anything practical.

Lately instead of the razor oil (light mineral oil) I have been spraying on clippercide instead.

Are you a germaphobe? How about letting the discoloration remain and let it be a protective tarnish?

Originally Posted by AxelH

Are you a germaphobe? How about letting the discoloration remain and let it be a protective tarnish?

that is one option... i do however prefer the polished look to the rustic look and coincidentally only started using the alcohol to sterilize blades after reading a thread on here where people warned of getting everything from hepatitis to aids from not sterilizing purchased razors.

Originally Posted by groovyd

that is one option... i do however prefer the polished look to the rustic look and coincidentally only started using the alcohol to sterilize blades after reading a thread on here where people warned of getting everything from hepatitis to aids from not sterilizing purchased razors.

The fact is that rusty old razors are unlikely to have seen any use in a long time. Any blood containing germs would have to be still wet to be a health threat.
This is the reason hypo needles are dangerous the blood inside does not dry out easily due to the lack of exposure.
There are of course bacterial spores etc that may exist a long time which makes a good case for restorative measures.
I haven't seen any posts on any shave forums by a member who contracted aids or hepatitis from razors.

I haven't seen any first hand evidence either, but I have seen loads of threads where people make it sound like the end of the world is near. I guess what it sounds like here is a quick wipe with alcohol is sufficient to reduce the risk and a 5 minute soak is overkill. I get it, good to know.

Come to think of it I just started seeing this staining problem arise after switching from Flitz to Maas. Perhaps that is the culprit. Just got some new blades in, guess I will use process of elimination to see what it is. Thanks everyone.

You can look at this thread, you will note that the conclusion was left off as I gave up with all the "Expert" opinions very early on, seemed nobody really cared as to what the actual results were they just wanted to talk..

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ol-razors.html

Needless to say don't soak razors in Isopropyl alcohol, dip them and let them air dry, then give them an oil wipe down or wax

Here is another twist or actually an old twist

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...-do-wrong.html

Be very careful playing with harsh chemicals and scales

Originally Posted by groovyd

I haven't seen any first hand evidence either, but I have seen loads of threads where people make it sound like the end of the world is near. I guess what it sounds like here is a quick wipe with alcohol is sufficient to reduce the risk and a 5 minute soak is overkill. I get it, good to know.

It's the Internet after all, folks.

Now ponder this: are there any living organisms that can survive on dust particles and mineral-rich inorganic materials.. or man-made synthetics? Does soaking them or keeping them damp most of the time allow them to.. quietly proliferate? [looks around worriedly]

Originally Posted by groovyd

Come to think of it I just started seeing this staining problem arise after switching from Flitz to Maas. Perhaps that is the culprit. Just got some new blades in, guess I will use process of elimination to see what it is. Thanks everyone.

So flitz leaves a cleaner end-reacted pseudo-tarnish?

Originally Posted by groovyd

I agree it seems to happen if I do this process. I always dry the blade then let set to further air dry then coat with razor oil and lightly wipe the excess oil off before putting it away. I guess I am wondering if any of these things is known to promote patina, it is actually more like dark grey staining that won't wipe off without polish.

I use rubbing alcohol out of the plastic drug store bottle. Just open the blade and submerge the blade only for 5 min but I always thought perhaps just a dip is enough to kil anything rather then letting it soak. I also had a bottle of that barbasol I used for a week or two before a curious friend broke the bottle ;( it was more of a novelty then anything practical.

Lately instead of the razor oil (light mineral oil) I have been spraying on clippercide instead.

So What is it you are doing? Oil, Maaz , Ren Wax? or clippercide? Maybe I got off track here. Your original question was involving a process of rubbing alcohol then Maas then Ren Wax. I can understand how that combo could cause discoloration.

Hepatitus etc is really better killed by bleach, but I don't think I would put blades in that, I have no idea what it would do, but probably nothing. Quick dip in alcohol and then dry thoroughly and a little oil. You won't catch anything doing that unless you cram the pivot down into a cut and wallow it around. Or, put it under a UV light for a while like the old barbers did / do with all clippers and such.

Will N.

Well the reason for the confusion is I don't really have a 'process', I mean I experiment with different things but the common theme when getting a new blade is alcohol and polish and wax, with alcohol and polish sometimes out of order. then i strop it up good and put either a final coat of camelia oil or razor oil or this spray of clippercide on it before putting it away. After using it I dry good and if it is tarnished as mentioned I would polish and then strop and re-apply oil or spray. So that loosely defines the 'process' I guess.

Personally the sterilization to me is a 'whatever' sort of thing. I mean I don't want to end up with aids or hepatitis but I am not entirely convinced the threat is real. After the initial sterilization I don't really worry about it getting too dangerous but recently figured the clippercide would be a good and easy all-in-one thing as it cleans, protects, lubricates, and disinfects all together. It might in fact be all hogwash. What do I know. I got lots of stuff and products and play with everything and hopefully someday maybe it all converges on a real 'process' that actually makes sense.