Is cleaning bad for the blade?

[m139]

When I first started DE shaving, I was using a TTO Parker so after each use, I would just open the head, remove the blade and sit it in a little bit of rubbing alcohol while I clean up. I would then wash the razor with water and a toothbrush, dry it, and put back the disinfected blade for the next use. That worked to clean the blade without the alcohol touching the razor's finished surface.

Now I have an EJ DE89 and it's a bit cumbersome (and risky) to remove the blade after each use. Instead, I'm leaving the blade and using a toothbrush with dish washing soap & water to clean the exposed parts of the blade (and razor). Then I dry it with a towel or my wife's hair dryer (if it's in sight) and put it away.

I've noticed that this method is dulling out the blade more quickly. Maybe the scrubbing with the toothbrush is removing the coating???

Would it be OK to dunk the whole head (with blade) into rubbing alcohol or will this eventually damage the beautiful metal finish on the EJ?

 

[Mick]

You should never touch or rub the blade with anything other than your face.

There is no reason not to remove the blade from a 2 or 3 piece DE razor.

With the 3 piece razors what I do is remove the head (as a unit, top/bottom/blade) by putting the head on a towel and unscrewing the handle, leaving the head assembly on the towel. Wipe the handle with another clean towel and put it aside.

I then grab the blade (and bottom piece) by the ends (the blade will usually stick out the sides on most 3 piece razors so it is easy to grab). I lift the blade and bottom base off of the top cap threaded post and set it on the towel (blade down). I can then slide the base cap off of the blade onto the towel, pick it up and dry it with another towel then sit it aside with the handle.

I then fold a corner of the towel I disassembled the razor on over the blade and "pat" the blade (just fold and push down). DON'T rub as you will take the coating off of the blade edge.

Since I have so many different razors and blades I store my blades and razors separately as it may be a month or more before I use the same razor again. Blades go on open paper wrappers marked 1 through 6 for the number of shaves on the blade sitting on that paper. The next day, I decide what razor to use. Decide which open blade to use (or open a different brand), put the razor together and shave.

After shaving I go through the same clean up procedure.

I find that if I towel dry my razor I do not need to clean it as drying will remove any soap from the razor and it is dry and shiny.

If you have small children or share a bathroom with others. leaving a large number of unwrapped blades on the counter might not be best for you. Works for me as I have my own bathroom and plenty of counter space

 

[_JP_]

The whole idea with the DE blade is that they are disposable, and thus need no maintainence. I certainly don't bother. "Use 'em and lose 'em," I say.

 

[m139]

The whole idea with the DE blade is that they are disposable, and thus need no maintainence. I certainly don't bother. "Use 'em and lose 'em," I say.

Yes, of course, they are disposable and if I was using the blade once I wouldn't be asking. However, since I'm using it 3-4 times I'm naturally concerned about proper hygiene.

Does anyone know if rubbing alcohol would damage the coating?

 

[Mick]

Does anyone know if rubbing alcohol would damage the coating?

The coating is extremely thin. I would think any solvent would remove it easily.

The coating is only there to make the blade smoother. Some blades are uncoated stainless.

What blade are you using?

 

[wrinkles2]

I use rubbing alcohol to soak the blade after use sometimes, and I never had a problem with dulling a blade.
I also use it for my razors.

 

[Mick]

I use rubbing alcohol to soak the blade after use sometimes, and I never had a problem with dulling a blade.
I also use it for my razors.

Alcohol will not dull the blade but it might remove the coating which would make subsequent shaves harsher than the manufacturer intended. The only way to know would be to examine it under magnification (microscope) to see.... OR see if you notice the blade is harsher after soaking in solvent.

Most people toss their blades when they start to feel harsh. The coating will wear off after 3-4 shaves with normal use anyway.

I will drop my assembled razor into my barbicide jar if I am using a blade that has sat out for more than a week just to ensure that nothing nasty has started growing on the edge

 

[whtwolf]

It should be fine to put the entire head of you razor into the alcohol. When I change my blade I place the head into a jar of alcohol for a few minutes before putting a new blade in and have not seen any issues.

 

[Ducati Scotty]

Just curious, why do you clean the razor so thoroughly after each use? I just rinse it, shake it off, and put it away. Whenever I change the blade I clean all the parts (3 piece). That's either a good wipe with a wet wash cloth or a wipe down with Windex and paper towels if it's gotten kinda soap scummy. I usually use a blade for 5-7 days, light beard.

Scott

 

[mblakele]

I think the coatings are fairly sturdy. I do not believe alcohol will remove them. More abrasive treatment like jeans-stropping may, but only over several applications and may not cause any more damage than shaving does. Here is an example: my last Feather, after four shaves where I did nothing to clean the blade:



Same blade after spraying with isopropyl alcohol, then blotted dry:



Same blade after scrubbing bubbles for 60 seconds, then rinsed and blotted dry:



The lighter-colored material in the first image seems to be soap scup or other residue. The darker material appears to be the blade coating. After that I used the same blade for four more shaves, with jeans-stropping after each shave. Eventually the blade was too dull for me, and some of the coating seems to be gone - but not all of it.

 

[Viseguy]

I'm leaving the blade and using a toothbrush with dish washing soap & water to clean the exposed parts of the blade (and razor).

This sort of treatment would certainly dull the blade. Don't do it, for the same reason that you shouldn't put a good knife in the dishwasher.

Don't worry about cleaning the blade. There's no need. Just rinse the razor under running water and let it air-dry.

If you want to shine up your razor between shaves, take the blade out and put it in a safe place, then replace it in the razor. I stow my blade on a little magnet while I'm cleaning my razor.

 

[Bad Robot]

I used to loosen the head of my razors and let them stand head down for a while in a small jar of alcohol and then shake/air dry the whole. Broke the jar when I knocked it off the counter one morning. Since then I just remove the blade and spritz both sides with alcohol spray and shake/air dry the replace. I have zero real idea if this helps prolong blade life and smoothness other than my anecdotal feeling that it does. Could just be a placebo effect on me to be honest .
I am pretty certain that scrubbing a blade with a toothbrush will degrade it coating or not.
Not really noticed an damage to razor finishes due to alcohol use on any of my razors either. But have only been at this for a year or so.

 

[m139]

Thanks all for the great feedback. I use Feather high stainless and I think they're platinum coated. The only reason I clean the blade between uses is to disinfect it... that's all. The reason I clean the razor is so it looks nice and shiny on my countertop. It was easy to clean both when I was using the Parker TTO but with the 3-pc, it's not as simple so I was resorting to the toothbrush to get the exposed edges of the blade clean. I think what'll I start doing is just spritz it with a bit of rubbing alcohol then rinse and dry. I'll clean the razor when I switch out the blade. Otherwise I could just insert a new blade each use but that seems like a waste of money.... and a good blade.

 

[HUF]

Thanks all for the great feedback. I use Feather high stainless and I think they're platinum coated. The only reason I clean the blade between uses is to disinfect it... that's all. The reason I clean the razor is so it looks nice and shiny on my countertop. It was easy to clean both when I was using the Parker TTO but with the 3-pc, it's not as simple so I was resorting to the toothbrush to get the exposed edges of the blade clean. I think what'll I start doing is just spritz it with a bit of rubbing alcohol then rinse and dry. I'll clean the razor when I switch out the blade. Otherwise I could just insert a new blade each use but that seems like a waste of money.... and a good blade.

I am a bit OCD as well, but disinfecting the blade after every shave is not necessary at all. There will be more bacteria anywhere in your house and on your hands than on that razor blade.

 

[MrLara]

Just curious, why do you clean the razor so thoroughly after each use?

While i may not clean it with a toothbrush everytime i use it, i do like to clean it, dry it and shine it up after every use. I just rinse it in hot/warm water. Then take a thin towel and dry it up. Then shine it back up with a microfiber cloth.

i do this because i want to take care of all my razors. That way when my kids use them (hopefully ) they can just reach for the razor of their choice and get it done. I have found a couple of razors in antique stores that were very well take of. Im sure some people had the same mindset back in the day.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Swish in hot water and shake a couple of times. Done.

 

[rajagra]

I think the toothbrush is wrecking the blade. The edge is very thin and fragile, and whatever force you apply will be focused on the tips of the bristles making contact.

If I take my blade out, I swish it in water. If there is still gunk on it, I hold it with one hand. With the other hand I very gently 'pinch' the blade between thumb and forefinger and swipe outwards towards the blade edge to clean it. I think this is safe for the blade because:

• You are balancing forces on both sides of the blade, so there is no net force to fold the edge;
• Your fingers move in the direction the blade edge is pointing, so if there is any effect it is to straighten the edge - so you get a very mild stropping effect.

Don't use any more force than necessary to remove the gunk - which is practically no force at all. Really all you need is to make contact.

 

[Fatboy]

When I finish my shave, I swirl the head of the razor (with the blade still installed) around in some rubbing alcohol, pat the head of the razor dry with a towel, and put it in the rack. The blade comes out after 3 shaves, the entire razor is cleaned with a toothbrush and whatever hand soap is in the sinkside container, new blade installed the next day and off we go again. Works well for me.

 

[MRoney]

FWIW - I use a blade 3-4 times then change it, after each shave I give it a good rinse/swishing and shake dry. I wouldnt use anybodies razor with a used blade except my own. I don't think the alcohol could damage your blades or razors, but i wouldnt be soaking things in there. If your goal is to sanitize, the alcohol drying off helps to leave your razor essentially germ AND moisture free. I have read tons of posts about scrubbing bubbles and I gotta say, stuff works like a boss!

 

[santamariasteve]

I think you are well intended, but you are working too hard.

When I finish the shave I rinse the razor (unopened), slightly rubbing the head and the handle with my fingers to remove any excessive soap scum. I then shake the excess water out of it and gently dry the handle and head (but not the blade) with a towel. I then give the blade areas a 10 second blast with the hair dryer, set on medium.

And never store the razor in the bathroom because of moisture degrading the blade edge. I store the razor atop my dresser in the nearby bedroom. Works for me.

I have a tough beard, use Feather blades, and I get 7 to 10 shaves per blade, using a 3 pass shave system. When I do change blades, I then give the razor a gentle but more thorough cleaning with an old soft toothbrush and a little bit of soapy water.

Don't be concerned about germs. I once had a nurse tell me that one is pretty immune to their own germs. If we weren't we'd be sick all the time.