Thread: Actual Testing OMG - Alcohol and Razors

I'm going to be beat up here!

Didn't anyone take the time to read that GSSIXGUN had said that there was too much 'Science' being interjected and that his 'Simple' Experiment 'Simply' showed that wiping down a razor with simple 'Rubbing Alcohol' wouldn't do it any harm!!!! Oiling afterwards is a Good Thing!!!

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I'm going to be beat up here!

Didn't anyone take the time to read that GSSIXGUN had said that there was too much 'Science' being interjected and that his 'Simple' Experiment 'Simply' showed that wiping down a razor with simple 'Rubbing Alcohol' wouldn't do it any harm!!!! Oiling afterwards is a Good Thing!!!

I did. Still, Guys gotta say what they know! Big Fun!

I took one at 8 am before work, there is black rust present under the line on 4 razors the SS I still see nothing at all...



I took another at 8 pm tonight, I was out in the shop playing Carpenter and Electrician after work, setting up the newest workbench out in the extention... Kinda nice since all the saws and the sander are out there now
Anyway 4 of the razors are showing rust spots at the edges I haven't touched them or pulled them yet so I don't know the depth or the rust or how bad it really is but I see it... The SS razor is still clean visually...

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I'm going to be beat up here!

Didn't anyone take the time to read that GSSIXGUN had said that there was too much 'Science' being interjected and that his 'Simple' Experiment 'Simply' showed that wiping down a razor with simple 'Rubbing Alcohol' wouldn't do it any harm!!!! Oiling afterwards is a Good Thing!!!

One might actually draw the opposite conclusion. Based on what Glen said, there is a chance that the splashing of alcohol onto a razor caused rusting. A similar scenario would be wiping a razor down with alcohol and leaving some behind. So the setup supports the idea that wiping a razor down with simple rubbing alcohol could do harm.

Also, I can understand if some people may not like the notion of "doing science," but let's remember that "science" is nothing more than the collective attempts of humans to understand and describe the world around them. As such, this thread is inherently a drive towards science.

Well, from my limited understanding of these things, I'd be more worried about alcohol b/c it works as a degreaser, not because it is chemically active enough to damage/patina a razor, like acids such as vinegar or naval jelly. When I've blued blades and had them completely degreased they happily rust very quickly. Somewhat in keeping with this experiment, those that have had high grit buffing can rust within an hour.