Alcohol bath

[Jaybird180]

I read a thread about rust preventing, pitting, etc and got the bright idea to submerge my blade in a covered alcohol tub to store while not in use. I found out that the blade will still rust, depending on the blade. I've tried this sofar with 2 blades...(and a bic disposable- haven't checked it yet) Sorry I don't have names of which blades I've tried this with.

Are there some that will or will not rust in alcohol?

 

[Left Coast DJ]

Depending on how often you shave, your blade will probably lose its edge before it rusts. And storing in alcohol will probably affect the platinum coating if it has one. I usualy take the blade out of the razor and just let it air dry on top of my shaving cream tub.

 

[Millay]

I find the blades so cheap that i replace after two or three shaves so i see no point in trying anything to prolong them.. but on a cartridge i used to try all kinds of tricks non worked..

 

[withoutink]

I heard, but I am not 100% certain... 99% Isopropyl alcohol wont rust the razors.

 

[gollum83]

Well that bath of yours is probably rubbing alcohol from the drug store right? It's 70% then and still has 30% water in it. Now you can still use it to prevent rust by dipping it in alcohol and letting in air dry. That way the alcohol will displace the water left from rinsing your razor, but it won't rust because it's still in a solution containing water.

 

[Jaybird180]

You're quite right! 70%. I didn't think to check that!

 

[gollum83]

Pays to read the bottle sometimes, doesn't it?

Well try rinsing it instead then as I suggested, although if you're using stainless steel blades it is not really necessary to rinse them, as they most likely wont rust before they outlive their usefulness. Carbon steel blades, on the hand, will benefit.

 

[Haiku]

I've started dipping my razor in an alcohol bath just before shaving not to deal with rust, but to kill any bacteria that may have started to colonize the blade. I find that I get less redness from blades that have been dipped than those that are not dipped. Of course I've not done any scientific experiments and so it may be my imagination, but it makes me happy so I'll continue the practice.

I also dip the razor in alcohol after rinsing it to displace any water on the blade as well as to sterilize the blade. The alcohol is just sitting there so I figure "why not"?

 

[The Nid Hog]

I thought that this thread was about my vacation plans!

 

[mretzloff]

I thought that this thread was about my vacation plans!

Do you take alcohol baths while on vacation?

 

[calcustom]

I read a thread about rust preventing, pitting, etc and got the bright idea to submerge my blade in a covered alcohol tub to store while not in use. I found out that the blade will still rust, depending on the blade. I've tried this sofar with 2 blades...(and a bic disposable- haven't checked it yet) Sorry I don't have names of which blades I've tried this with.

Are there some that will or will not rust in alcohol?

I have heard of people storing the blade in olive oil.
I wonder if that might be what you are looking for?

 

[Jaybird180]

I have heard of people storing the blade in olive oil.
I wonder if that might be what you are looking for?

Possibly

 

[RazorDingo]

Isopropyl alcohol (even 100% alcohol) will actually rust ferrous metals faster than water.

All alcohols contain oxygen - and it is the oxygen molecules combining with the iron in the blade that causes rust. But alcohol is far less stable than water - it evaporates much quicker than water (thats why it feels "cool" on your face.) And it is this instability that makes it much easier for the alcohol's oxgen molecules to bond with the iron in the blade.

Dipping or storing DE blades in alcohol is pretty much of a waste of time, unless you are sharing your razor with a bunch of infectious disease patients. Germs are pretty much everywhere, and you will not suffer instant death or develop unsightly lesions if a few come into contact with your blood. Thats why most of us have a pretty sturdy immune system.

 

[HoratioCaine]

I spray my razor with a 91% isopropyl alcohol solution and let it air dry. (I haven't been able to find 99% yet.) No rust forms as a result of doing this. I don't know if it helps keep the blades from dulling any sooner, but it disinfects the razor head and really helps cut back on the soap scum buildup.

 

[gollum83]

Isopropyl alcohol (even 100% alcohol) will actually rust ferrous metals faster than water.

All alcohols contain oxygen - and it is the oxygen molecules combining with the iron in the blade that causes rust. But alcohol is far less stable than water - it evaporates much quicker than water (thats why it feels "cool" on your face.) And it is this instability that makes it much easier for the alcohol's oxgen molecules to bond with the iron in the blade.

Dipping or storing DE blades in alcohol is pretty much of a waste of time, unless you are sharing your razor with a bunch of infectious disease patients. Germs are pretty much everywhere, and you will not suffer instant death or develop unsightly lesions if a few come into contact with your blood. Thats why most of us have a pretty sturdy immune system.

What he said, although I will say dipping them does seem to help extend the life of carbon steel razor blades from my experience.

 

[The Nid Hog]

Do you take alcohol baths while on vacation?

After a fashion.

 

[FLTiger]

I haven't been able to find 99% yet.

99% is probably available, but even if you did buy some, soon after you removed the lid enough vapor would escape that the concentration would drop to around 95%. That's why you can't generally buy liquor that is higher proof than Everclear 190 (which is 95%).

Oh--I'm no chemist, but I do remember some things from high school chemistry. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable can comment on this.

 

[gollum83]

99% is probably available, but even if you did buy some, soon after you removed the lid enough vapor would escape that the concentration would drop to around 95%. That's why you can't generally buy liquor that is higher proof than Everclear 190 (which is 95%).

Oh--I'm no chemist, but I do remember some things from high school chemistry. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable can comment on this.

Well it will drop to 95% if not properly stored, given enough time. However, it has nothing to do with evaporation. Alcohol is hygroscopic, meaning that it actually picks up water from the surrounding atmosphere. Just wanted to clear that up.

 

[FLTiger]

Well it will drop to 95% if not properly stored, given enough time. However, it has nothing to do with evaporation. Alcohol is hygroscopic, meaning that it actually picks up water from the surrounding atmosphere. Just wanted to clear that up.

Thanks for that--high school chemistry was a long time ago.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Well it will drop to 95% if not properly stored, given enough time. However, it has nothing to do with evaporation. Alcohol is hygroscopic, meaning that it actually picks up water from the surrounding atmosphere. Just wanted to clear that up.

If that's true, does that mean spraying alcohol on razor blades displaces the water on them? How does that work? Or does it?