Thread: Ultrasonic cleaning + Razor = ?

Good afternoon, all.

I just had an idea... I frequently use an ultrasonic cleaner on gun parts and on watches to get them clean, and it works a treat. Could this be used on a straight (scales and all) without ill effect?

I have calculated out the implosion energy being created by a 15kHz shockwave (my particular cleaner runs at this frequency) but I'm not sure if it's enough to damage the edge of the razor or not.

Any thoughts? this would save me a LOT of time on removing rust and such from razors. As an aside, let's assume plastic or metal scales, I'm well aware that this would damage wood/bone scales.

I've done it and not seen any real ill effects, but I've also not noted any real benefits that 2 minutes of hand cleaning wouldn't accomplish - the kind of dirt/tarnish on a razor just won't come off in an ultrasonic cleaner, in my experience.

Just for clarification, I used the cleaning basket and did not risk the "stronger" cleaning directly on the metal bottom.

Mark

I have a commercial grade ultrasonic cleaning machine. It does a great job removing the grime-especially around the pivot near the blade.

It did actually remove the color from the scales of an NOS Wade&Butcher though. Pictured on the right.

Originally Posted by Lt.Arclight

It did actually remove the color from the scales of an NOS Wade&Butcher though.

i wonder if the color was just dyed on or something, and the implosion ripped it off. how odd. I have learned that ultrasonics will damage some gun finishes as well, if they are coatings rather than bonded on.

Originally Posted by jockeys

[/font][/size]i wonder if the color was just dyed on or something, and the implosion ripped it off. how odd.

Looks like Vulcanite- a material often used for pipe stems. It looks black and polished but with heat and/or friction and/or sunlight it discolors this exact way. It can be brought back to the original look but usually goes discolored again down the line- like a never ending cycle.

I use an ultrasonic to clean tattoo tubes and used to clean needles as well before we went to single use. It is good for grunge but not for rust or tarnish. You still need the elbow grease for that.

If the scales that discolored are Vulcanite so are many tobacco pipe stems and they get discolored from saliva and oxidation. You can buff it back to the shiny black it was originally then apply carnuba wax or something like that and it will last awhile.