Thread: Using a Used Straight Razor

I have been using a DE for a while, and bought a few off of ebay. Sterilizing them is a no brainer. But, how do you sterilize a straight?

Randy

How are you steralizing your DE. I simply dip both (St8 and DE) in Alcohol after each shave. Some simply dip them in boiling water. But we are only talking about dipping the steel in water or alcohol not the handle (scales).

jmsbcknr

I spray the blade with Clippercide on both sides. This stuff kills anything living and lubricates.

Great information, but I don't think I asked the question properly. Buying used DEs, I would boil the hell out of them, clean them with Brasso, Soft Scrub or both, and then soak them for 24 hours in a 10% bleach solution.

So when buying a used str8, what would a good plan of attack to be to make sure it is properly clean?

Thanks in advance!

Randy

I don't go crazy. Clorox and alcohol. No problems yet.

Originally Posted by RichZ

I don't go crazy. Clorox and alcohol. No problems yet.

Hey RichZ! Glad you chimed in. You have not had a problem with chlorox? Really? What dilution are you using if any? Handles also?

This will help all of us,

It's hard to know if any of this stuff is really working, but I assume if it says it does and you follow the instruction, it will work. Since Clippercide is made by the company that makes Barbicide, I think I'm justified.

In any case, I will clean a new razor with soap in the sink to remove any actual dirt. When I'm done I dry it. Then I spray it with Clippercide until it's wet. I let it dry and put it away. All the living things are supposed to be dead, and the blade is lubricated and smells nice. I have also sprayed the handles with no problem. What could be easier?

Originally Posted by Joe Lerch

Then I spray it with Clippercide until it's wet.

Is that an aerosol, Joe?

X

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Great information, but I don't think I asked the question properly. Buying used DEs, I would boil the hell out of them, clean them with Brasso, Soft Scrub or both, and then soak them for 24 hours in a 10% bleach solution. (snip,snip,snip)
Randy

I also collect(ed) DE's for a time .... The turn-of-the-century solution to rust-proofing was plating. So King Gillette triple-silver-plated his earliest razors. I used an old home-remedy recipe to both sterilize new arrivals, and make them shine again.

Take an old pot in the kitchen, line the bottom inside with aluminum foil about half-way up the sides. Fill the pot with water about two-thirds up the side and heat on a high burner. As the water warms, add one teaspoon of baking soda and one-half teaspoon of salt. When the water boils, drop in the open or disassembled DE into the pot and simmer for ten minutes.

Then run the pot under the cold water faucet for a bit any you have a shiney, sterile razor. The aluminum foil blackens with the tarnish from the razor. This works for other metals as well. You may still need a little metal polish to finish things off perfectly.

I've soaked mine in Marvicide overnight with no problems. I used the stronger of the recommended dilutions.

Dave