Introductions and cleaning question

[Itsacon]

Hi all,

I'm new here, only just decided to pick up DE shaving. Mostly for financial and environmental reasons, but also because the cool factor and the vain hope I'll finally get rid of those ingrown hairs on my neck.

I've been wet shaving for years (brush and `Vergulde Hand' shaving soap), but with an Xtreme 3 cartridge unit. Hopefull, DE shaving will agree with me.

After pondering the different models for awhile, I picked up this old device from ebay:

Which, if the seller and my studies from these pages are correct, is a British #15. She's in good condition, a bit of wear on the edges and the thumbscrew (see the 2nd and 3rd pictures). Maybe not quite up to collector standards, but more than good enough for a user.

However, she IS kinda filty, as shown by the fourth picture. My plan was to give her a quick scrub with a toothbrush, toss in the ultrasonic cleaner for a few minutes and then wipe of with alcohol.

Which leads me to my question (at last): Will either of those (UC or alcohol) damage the lacquer on these rhodium plated razors? If anyone would be willing to share their experience, I'd be most grateful.

Rests me to thank you all for all the advice already available here, it has been a great help to a newbie.

Regards,

Itsacon

 

[BBrad]

Nice looking razor, my friend!!

I can't tell from your post where you are from . . . but here in the States a lot of us use a product put out by S.C. Johnson called "Scrubbing Bubbles". It is a bathroom cleaner that does a remarkable job at cutting soap scum. It also contains an anti-bacterial agent that sanitizes as well. Good stuff!!

Generally, once you cut through the scum, the underlying razor usually shines nicely. I have never heard of nor experienced a razor damaged by this cleaner.

 

[BBrad]

Oops . . . pressed that button too soon!!

You were also wondering about using an ultrasonic cleaner . . .

I have one, and have found it useful for getting crud loose from tight spots that you can't get a brush into. It is not a magic device that puts lipstick on the pig . . . it will not "shine" a dull razor, nor does it provide any sanitizing help.

 

[Oldguy]

There shouldn't be any lacquer on rhodium plated razors.

Len

 

[Itsacon]

Thank you for the quick replies. I'm in the Netherlands, but I can find one or two non-abrasive soaps I can use instead of Scrubbing Bubbles. I wanted to use the ultrasonic to get rid of any gunk inside the razor. The polish and shine will be done by hand

Oldguy, I didn't know that. I'd understood the rhodium plated ones were similar to the gold plated ones: thin layer of plating with a lacquer covering. If that isn't the case, life becomes a lot easier.

Thanks!

 

[Luc]

Welcome to B&B!

I don't know if it will damage the razor but nice score. It's in a good shape already!

 

[mirrorimij]

Welcome to B&B. Nice score with that razor. Please show us another picture after you get it all shined up. It looks pretty right now.

 

[drandall]

if you're worried about germs, bacteria and viruses...there is a product called "barbicide" although there are undoubtedly different products that do the same thing. it's used in barber shops and hospitals to disinfect combs, brushes, medical instruments.

it's fairly inexpensive, is sold as a concentrate you mix with water. a short soak will kill all bacteria and viruses including HIV. it doesn't harm the finish and is a great way to make sure your razor is clean and ready for action

 

[Oldguy]

..........
Oldguy, I didn't know that. I'd understood the rhodium plated ones were similar to the gold plated ones: thin layer of plating with a lacquer covering. If that isn't the case, life becomes a lot easier.

Thanks!

I have three Rhodium plated razors. I don't see any evidence of lacquer on any of them. Rhodium is much harder then gold, harder then nickel as well so it would be less prone to wear. Also I believe only the handles are Rhodium plated with the heads plated with nickel.

Regards,
Len

 

[brothers]

Welcome to the B&B! That is a beautiful razor. I think the open comb TTO razors are the best shavers Gillette ever made, right up there with the NEW.

Here's how I do mine. First, I find a plastic or ceramic bowl the razor will fit into, while submerged in water. Then I take the razor out of the water and heat the water in the microwave for around a minute and 40 or 50 seconds, just short of boiling.

Then I take the bowl with really hot water out of the microwave and add some liquid dishwashing detergent to the water and gently place the razor with the butterflies open down into the water and leave it alone for around 2 hours. This softens all gunk, and even removes some of the gunk.

Then I take it out and scrub it thoroughly with an old toothbrush. After that I rinse it off and stand it up on the open butterflies, (handle sticking straight up) and spray it thoroughly with the Scrubbing bubbles and let it sit for around 15 minutes or thereabouts. If you don't have scrubbing bubbles, then just skip this step.

Almost done at this point. This is when I immerse it for about 30 or 45 minutes into a solution of water and "Marv-i-cide", which is a competitive barber and beauty shop product to Barbicide. Kills everything. Then I remove it from the Marvicide and rinse it under running tap water. I place it on a paper towel and let it dry.

Finally, In my personal regimen, just a personal preference, I like to take it into the garage and give it a good dousing, up close and in every nook and cranny, with my old standby, WD-40, shake it off, and let it stand some more on the paper towel, letting any excess WD-40 drip off.

After that, I rinse it again with tap water and start using it to shave with, or I might sell it if that's why I bought it in the first place, if I'm convinced it's clean enough according to my personal approval. I have done this with a hundred razors and none of them has ever failed to come out looking as good as their used condition will permit.

 

[Oldguy]

Gary. Your cleaning method is nearly identical to mine. It does a great cleaning job. The hot water dish soap soak is very important for the reason you mentioned. But I don't use WD-40. I probably would if it wasn't so smelly. I don't use a lubricant of any kind.

Regards,
Len

 

[mrbear]

Welcome to B&B!

Beautiful razor

 

[Itsacon]

Wow, lots of reactions!

Good to know the rhodium isn't as fragile as gold-plating. That'll make my life a lot easier.

Thanks for the tip about the pre-soak, that'll certainly help, and I'll also look into any simple desinfectants available here.

And I'll make sure to post any `after'-pictures

 

[CliffSCCA]

I don't want to hijack this thread from Itsacon, but I had a quick question about cleaning.

Brothers, do you change anything in your cleaning method if you are cleaning an adjustable or some other razor that has some painted on features?

 

[blackfoot]

Very nice razor, I am jealous. Also, welcome to B&B!

 

[Magic Man]

Welcome!