EJ DE86 & Muhle R101 Cracked handles

[u56rh]

So I went a little RAD crazy a while back and bought an EJ DE86 (love it) and a Muhle R101 (fear it). After 2 1/2 months both have hairline cracks in the handles. I have no idea what I've done to them to cause that. They sit in warm water for some minutes before being used for shaving. They tend to get cleaned off with hot water afterwards and sometimes are dipped in alcohol for extra cleaning.

I think the issue may be hot water followed by cold alcohol, or the alcohol itself is somehow degrading the material. I have also cleaned both with scrubbing bubbles.

Has anyone had such an experience with the ebony handles from EJ and Muhle?

I'd appreciate any feedback.



Rob

 

[celestino]

Rob, i have never heard of the modern razors developing cracks. Why do you soak them in warm water before shaving? Is the whole razor submersed in the water? i think this may be the reason for your cracks. Most guys just run the head and blade under warm/hot water before applying it to the face for shaving. i can not see the alcohol degrading the metal as it would evaporate long before causing any harm, but...
Sorry, but i can not see why they would be cracking. Do you have any pictures?

 

[RonPac]

I have an EJ razor, my handle didn't crack but, I switched it fast for a Bulldog replacement handle and the shave was even better. Way better shave and no way will the Bulldog will crack, unless you drop it in liquid nitrogen! Do yourself a favor, get a upgraded Bulldog, Weber or Ikon handle. You'll be glad you did. See if anyone has one to sell. Someone PM'ed about selling one to me right after I placed an on-line order for one, so you might luck out if you send out a feeler.

 

[eelhc]

After reading another about a broken Merkur I think I'll stick to my vintage Gillettes.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/307238-Broken-Merkur

I'm not sure how the Handle can crack... Is it just the plating?

 

[u56rh]

Hi, thanks so much for your responses. I'll try and get a couple of decent photos. Before I run off to do that I should quickly confirm that these razors are the R101 and DE86 which both have the plastic (are they plastic?) black handles, not metal.

Interesting that the shave gets better with a different handle......Might have to start sticking pennies away...

 

[Marcos1]

I soak my razor as well as my brush in prep for my shave and have had no problems yet. Not sure what's Goin on here

 

[AABCDS]

After reading another about a broken Merkur I think I'll stick to my vintage Gillettes.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/307238-Broken-Merkur

I'm not sure how the Handle can crack... Is it just the plating?

I think the OP is talking about the resin on the handle. I know the R101 is the 2011 R41 with the black resin handle.

 

[celestino]

If it is the Resin handles, then the warm water soaking may be the issue, here. i could not see the metal handles being affected by the soaking, but the Resin might be an issue with the warm/hot water. Good luck.

 

[SOS]

Had the same thing happen to my R101 (in the same spot) but I noticed the crack before I used the razor. Notified the merchant and they sent me a new handle. It may have come with a stress crack invisible to the naked eye, once in use the crack may have opened more making it visible. I would notify muhle or your vendor.

 

[ateace]

My take on this is that the alcohol is affecting the resin and causing it to crack.

Unless you're cleaning a scuzzy old vintage razor, I see no need for elaborate cleaning procedures, especially on the simple three-piece razors.
All I do is wipe a razor clean with a soft, dry hand towel. Residue may collect in the corners and such, but I'm not hung up on keeping it looking like
it did out of the box.

 

[chongo gordo]

My take on this is that the alcohol is affecting the resin and causing it to crack.

Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) will destroy certain plastic resins. Hot water and soap should be enough.

 

[CHSeifert]

So I went a little RAD crazy a while back and bought an EJ DE86 (love it) and a Muhle R101 (fear it). After 2 1/2 months both have hairline cracks in the handles. I have no idea what I've done to them to cause that. They sit in warm water for some minutes before being used for shaving. They tend to get cleaned off with hot water afterwards and sometimes are dipped in alcohol for extra cleaning.

I think the issue may be hot water followed by cold alcohol, or the alcohol itself is somehow degrading the material. I have also cleaned both with scrubbing bubbles.

Has anyone had such an experience with the ebony handles from EJ and Muhle?

I'd appreciate any feedback.

View attachment 268117

Rob

Don't dip resin handles in alcohol and hot water. Warm water should do it just fine, avoid the alcohol.