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Boiled a golden razor, did I ruin it?

Hello everyone, I just joined and am pretty new to all of this. Today I received my first "real" double edge to replace the plastic Wilkinson Classic that introduced me to the world of wet shaving. It's a Gilette Aristocrat adjustable, date code L2.
I read in multiple places on the web that boiling in water with dish soap works a lot better than just using warm water when you don't have an ultrasonic cleaner. Sadly I only found posts that said to never boil a golden Gillette after the deed was done.
Did I ruin my razor? It still looks fine, how bad is it of I stripped the lacquer?
Thank you for your answers!
 
Hello everyone, I just joined and am pretty new to all of this. Today I received my first "real" double edge to replace the plastic Wilkinson Classic that introduced me to the world of wet shaving. It's a Gilette Aristocrat adjustable, date code L2.
I read in multiple places on the web that boiling in water with dish soap works a lot better than just using warm water when you don't have an ultrasonic cleaner. Sadly I only found posts that said to never boil a golden Gillette after the deed was done.
Did I ruin my razor? It still looks fine, how bad is it of I stripped the lacquer?
Thank you for your answers!
Don't worry about it. If it looks fine and works fine it's fine.
 
Nothing to worry about. You might want to rub it down with Renaissance Wax to protect the finish, or go ahead & send it out for replate. The old gold finishes are pretty thin.
 
Nothing to worry about. You might want to rub it down with Renaissance Wax to protect the finish, or go ahead & send it out for replate. The old gold finishes are pretty thin.
That sounds like a good idea. Does the wax not wash off with soap though?
 

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That sounds like a good idea. Does the wax not wash off with soap though?
Renaissance Wax is about as close as you can get to a laquer finish. I'm not sure of an exact "hardness", but comparable to carnauba wax without having to heat it with buffing.

Re-apply about once a month, if you go that route. Personally, if you like the razor, I would get it replated. I sent my '36 Aristocrat to Chris at Backroads, and could not be more pleased!😎
 
I know that most of us have concerns about potential health issue when using vintage shaving equipment. However, most of those concerns are unfounded. There is certainly no need to boil any shaving gear.

If you use a razor within 24 hours after someone else has used it, there might be live pathogens on the blade, but even that is unlikely. If the razor has not been used in month or years, the changes of pathogens is quite small as nearly all will die over that time. The one exception might be Anthrax which is a spore forming bacteria that can hibernate for a long time. However, that would also be a rare occurrence as Anthrax is uncommon.

If you still have concerns about the safety of your razor, use a product designed to clean bathroom and kitchen surfaces. Lysol or Scrubbing Bubbles are just two such products. Although vinegar is a good cleaning agent, I would not recommend using it on a vintage razor; but you might use it on a vintage shaving brush to remove embedded soap scum.
Do not use bleach as it is a powerful oxidizing agent that might harm the implements.

Another good product for cleaning razors is Barbicide. This is the product used by barbers, spas, and salons to disinfect razors, combs, scissors, clippers, nail files, etc. to provent spreading infections between customers. When prepared according to directions, Barbicide is certified as a high level disinfectant for hard surfaces. I would not use the product on a natural hair shaving brush as it would absorb into the hairs or bristles.
 
… There is certainly no need to boil any shaving gear.
….

If you still have concerns about the safety of your razor, use a product designed to clean bathroom and kitchen surfaces. Lysol or Scrubbing Bubbles are just two such products. Although vinegar is a good cleaning agent, I would not recommend using it on a vintage razor; but you might use it on a vintage shaving brush to remove embedded soap scum.
Do not use bleach as it is a powerful oxidizing agent that might harm the implements.

Another good product for cleaning razors is Barbicide. This is the product used by barbers, spas, and salons to disinfect razors, combs, scissors, clippers, nail files, etc. to provent spreading infections between customers. When prepared according to directions, Barbicide is certified as a high level disinfectant for hard surfaces. I would not use the product on a natural hair shaving brush as it would absorb into the hairs or bristles.

+1! Great summary!!

Fortunately, your razor looks (to me at least) like it should be just fine!
 
Alright, thanks for all of your input. I'll get myself some Renaissance wax to preserve it's current finish für longer.
Maybe once it doesn't look as nice anymore I'll get it replated. At the moment I think it looks fine and don't want to spend that kind of money. Also I haven't found a German workshop that specialises on razors yet and shipping it overseas would be a bit overkill.

I got this mainly because I couldn't get my hands on a normal adjustable Gillette at a reasonable price :D

I shaved with it die the first time today and it'll take some getting used to (and maybe some experiments with different blades). While I haven't nicked myself with the Wilkinson Classic for quite some time, I got a few little spots with the Ambassador today :/
 
Hello everyone, I just joined and am pretty new to all of this. Today I received my first "real" double edge to replace the plastic Wilkinson Classic that introduced me to the world of wet shaving. It's a Gilette Aristocrat adjustable, date code L2.
I read in multiple places on the web that boiling in water with dish soap works a lot better than just using warm water when you don't have an ultrasonic cleaner. Sadly I only found posts that said to never boil a golden Gillette after the deed was done.
Did I ruin my razor? It still looks fine, how bad is it of I stripped the lacquer?
Thank you for your answers!
Looks fine from the pics in your follow-up post. No need for any coating, oil, wax, etc. In fact it could serve to attract dirt particles and gum up the mechanism. Keep it clean and dry by gently shaking out then dry with a towel. The finish will last for years. Take it from someone who has made every mistake in the book.

I think the concept of boiling a razor was created from fear of germs or infectious organisms. Bad idea as you discovered. Same goes for oils, wax, etc., not necessary and can be detrimental.
 
Prepared according to directions, Barbicide is certified as a high level disinfectant for hard surfaces. I would not use the product on a natural hair shaving brush as it would absorb into the hairs or bristles.
Juuust don't leave a razor in the solution over night. It will eat aluminum like a rat nibbling cheese, remove all traces of laquer, and blacken several brass/bronze compounds quite deeply. Ask me how I know.😁 Barbicide is what I use nightly. A quick 3 minute dunk while I rinse my brush & dry my face. Unless I get distracted...
 
I know that most of us have concerns about potential health issue when using vintage shaving equipment. However, most of those concerns are unfounded. There is certainly no need to boil any shaving gear.

If you use a razor within 24 hours after someone else has used it, there might be live pathogens on the blade, but even that is unlikely. If the razor has not been used in month or years, the changes of pathogens is quite small as nearly all will die over that time. The one exception might be Anthrax which is a spore forming bacteria that can hibernate for a long time. However, that would also be a rare occurrence as Anthrax is uncommon.

If you still have concerns about the safety of your razor, use a product designed to clean bathroom and kitchen surfaces. Lysol or Scrubbing Bubbles are just two such products. Although vinegar is a good cleaning agent, I would not recommend using it on a vintage razor; but you might use it on a vintage shaving brush to remove embedded soap scum.
Do not use bleach as it is a powerful oxidizing agent that might harm the implements.

Another good product for cleaning razors is Barbicide. This is the product used by barbers, spas, and salons to disinfect razors, combs, scissors, clippers, nail files, etc. to provent spreading infections between customers. When prepared according to directions, Barbicide is certified as a high level disinfectant for hard surfaces. I would not use the product on a natural hair shaving brush as it would absorb into the hairs or bristles.
I suppose that if you shave butthair, you may want to use a disinfectant afterwards, but for normal applications, Barbicide isn't at all necessary, and is inappropriate for metal razors. It was made for plastic and bristle barber tools.
 
I will never understand why people take to boiling their razors, or using lysol, or some other chemical that can damage the finish. We all know this "hobby" will drag you down the rabbit hole, and you will buy more razors. Just invest in a bottle of Barbicide and you will be fine. A soft scrub with warm soapy water, a rinse and then, if you are worried a quick soap in Barbicide and you are good to go. AND you wont trash the finish on your razor.
 

ajkel64

Check Out Chick
Staff member
Thanks for the photos. It still looks pretty good to me. I boiled my Grandfathers Tech and boiled some of the plating off it. I also used boiling water and Bi-Carb Soda on a Gillette Red Tip and it stripped the almost perfect paint of the tip. Boiling razors is not necessary and I am someone that knows this through experience. You have a very nice razor there, used it and enjoy it. I would.
 
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