Personal question about straight shaving

[ladykate]

If the OP truly believes old steel is dangerous and doesn't want to take the advice of all us hepatitis carriers, then I guess that is fair enough. I'm being snarky... aren't I? That's because I know there isn't a problem... however, I also see that convincing the OP of that is unlikely so...

OP: Get a Ti stainless or a Dovo stainless (stainless scales) and use your autoclave. You won't be any more weird than me - just weird (to me) in a different way. I own way too many blades. I'm obsessed about that. What's really sad is that I truly think that each one is necessary. ;-}

FWIW: I've owned a Ti stainless and felt it wasn't balanced comfortably - traded it for a different type (my only case of getting rid of a functioning razor) - but it was usable. You might want to look at a Feather. They can be sterilized and they have replaceable blades. The only state law I read about the straight razor issue wasn't a case of old steel being impossible to sterilize, it was because of the outside chance that the blade WOULDN'T be sterilized before use. Replaceable blades made it a better chance. There are still several states that allow old steel to be used - and no outbreak of hep... but maybe it is coming.

As far as soaps and creams - all are germ carrying to some extent so I'm not quite sure how to suggest items that would suit you. I use alcohol, Lubriderm, KMF... maybe you will feel comfortable with them. I imagine some of the germicide soaps would work, too. Good luck and let us know what you settle on.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Don't forget the Wapi. There are probably a few of them still around with the stainless steel scales.

 

[Oblique Human]

Welcome to B&B!

I'd recommend some Proraso shave cream or soap, a decent boar bristle brush, Omega. Every responsible shaver should have a styptic pencil in his arsenal. You'll have to roll the dice on the aftershave and fragrance though.

 

[Raithskar]

For that range new I would suggest a Dovo Best Quality it is available in 5/8 and 6/8, or one of the less expensive Bokers. Both brands are good steel and can be found at several of the vendors listed. I know that Bullgoose Shaving and The Superior Shave sell theirs shave ready.

Good luck with your purchace!

Jon

 

[Seraphim]

a Gold Dollar at $4.98 is more than adequate...

 

[Kentos]

Hepatitis C lasts at least 16 hours but not more than 4 days outside the body.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/How long_10.pdf

SRAD however is often contracted after the first straight razor regardless.

 

[noahpictures]

The best thing to do is to jump right in. Buy whatever appeals to you. You can find great deals in the Marketplace, Buy/Sell/Trade, Hobbyist forums. Just make sure to buy a "shave ready" straight razor and a strop kit (leather strop, and Crox on balsa to keep the edge keen) at Whipped Dog.

A couple of the best performing soaps are Tabac and Mitchell's Wool Fat. Any shaving cream by Art of Shaving and Proraso are excellent performers. Make sure to get Witch Hazel, I prefer Thayers. I think you would like a luxurious brush, I would go with a Shavemac 177 silvertip. These can be purchased from vendors that support B&B such as Bullgooseshaving and Westcoastshaving.

 

[Slash McCoy]

For the use intended a Gold Dollar at $4.98 is more than adequate...

I just ordered 10 for $4.14 each. Syzygy has competition.

 

[global_dev]

as far as a cream/soap suggestion, i have never tried QCS Vostok (is that the right manufacturer) for that fresh cool breeze from the east.

 

[CrotalusHH]

+1. That idea certainly puts a stop to any future plans I'd have for ever buying a used razor as well, disinfected or not!!

I've seen what extent Larry goes through to disinfect razors. He used to work as a pharmacist. I have no worries about his used razors.

He does a lot more than just dip it in Barbacide.

 

[CrotalusHH]

As far as soaps and creams - all are germ carrying to some extent so I'm not quite sure how to suggest items that would suit you. I use alcohol, Lubriderm, KMF... maybe you will feel comfortable with them. I imagine some of the germicide soaps would work, too. Good luck and let us know what you settle on.

Soap itself Lyce's cells (explodes them). About the only thing soap won't kill are spores. When you get spores wet and they open, the soap gets them.

I wouldn't worry about soap being contaminated at all.

 

[ladykate]

Soap itself Lyce's cells (explodes them). About the only thing soap won't kill are spores. When you get spores wet and they open, the soap gets them.

I wouldn't worry about soap being contaminated at all.

Well... I don't really disagree with your intent, although soap can definitely carry germs and has been proven to. There are several white papers out there about it. However, the likelihood is slim (not impossible) that the germs could be transmitted. My point was more addressed to the concern of the OP who felt that more rigorous measures to eliminate all possibilities were needed. So... exaggeration to prove a point but not inaccurate as such - just a bit far fetched.

 

[GreekGuy]

With regards to contraction of disease, I actually attended a lecture today that (in part) discussed Hep C and thought I'd share. Keep in mind, however, that I am NOT an infectious disease specialist.

First, there are many many diseases that can be transmitted via the blood. This is a large reason why many barbers were forced to move to disposable type blades. Even with barbicide, if going from client to client there is the risk of transmission. For the sake of this conversion, however, I'm going to limit my discussion to personal use.

The main germs I suspect people are worried about are Hep B, Hep C, and HIV.

Hep B is by and large not curable. There is an effective vaccine available, and so I would suggest anyone seriously concerned to be vaccinated.

HIV, as we all know, is incurable. There have been huge advances even in the last 5 years which have increased life expectancy to 20+ years if diagnosed early. The HIV particle itself is bounded by a lipid membrane. Outside of the human body, it can "survive" for approximately 3 days. There have been a number of tests done to measure virulent capacity while remaining in syringes, particularly with blood. The short version is that any blood that would be on a used straight would be only a trace amount and exposed to the air, so it should not remain infectious after 3 days.

Hep C can survive outside the body for approximately 10 days. While at one point it was considered incurable, there are now a number of treatments available which have made Hep C very much a curable disease in otherwise healthy individuals, particularly without underlying liver disease.

Here are a couple figures from the lecture I attended today. Without boring you with too much details, basically with modern antiviral regimens approximately 80-90% of people can be cured. Caucasians and Hispanics have a better response than Blacks, and Women have a better response than Men. Additionally, not everyone who is exposed will develop an acute infection. Some people are able to fight the virus on their own without any treatment, unlike HIV for example.

​

The moral of the story here is you can clean your blades with soap and water, alcohol, or barbicide. A very important note about using alcohol, however, is that you MUST let the alcohol dry. Wiping it off significantly reduces its efficacy. Allow it to air dry for maximal effect. Also, allowing your blades to rest for several days after receiving them provides additional security just in case they were not properly cleaned AND they had contact with an infected person who ALSO transmitted a sufficient viral load to the blade.

I hope this is somewhat helpful. It's a tad off topic but I thought it was worth mentioning.

 

[Legion]

All good info. Thanks.

 

[Slash McCoy]

With regards to contraction of disease, I actually attended a lecture today that (in part) discussed Hep C and thought I'd share. Keep in mind, however, that I am NOT an infectious disease specialist.

First, there are many many diseases that can be transmitted via the blood. This is a large reason why many barbers were forced to move to disposable type blades. Even with barbicide, if going from client to client there is the risk of transmission. For the sake of this conversion, however, I'm going to limit my discussion to personal use.

The main germs I suspect people are worried about are Hep B, Hep C, and HIV.

Hep B is by and large not curable. There is an effective vaccine available, and so I would suggest anyone seriously concerned to be vaccinated.

HIV, as we all know, is incurable. There have been huge advances even in the last 5 years which have increased life expectancy to 20+ years if diagnosed early. The HIV particle itself is bounded by a lipid membrane. Outside of the human body, it can "survive" for approximately 3 days. There have been a number of tests done to measure virulent capacity while remaining in syringes, particularly with blood. The short version is that any blood that would be on a used straight would be only a trace amount and exposed to the air, so it should not remain infectious after 3 days.

Hep C can survive outside the body for approximately 10 days. While at one point it was considered incurable, there are now a number of treatments available which have made Hep C very much a curable disease in otherwise healthy individuals, particularly without underlying liver disease.

Here are a couple figures from the lecture I attended today. Without boring you with too much details, basically with modern antiviral regimens approximately 80-90% of people can be cured. Caucasians and Hispanics have a better response than Blacks, and Women have a better response than Men. Additionally, not everyone who is exposed will develop an acute infection. Some people are able to fight the virus on their own without any treatment, unlike HIV for example.

View attachment 246214

View attachment 246215​

The moral of the story here is you can clean your blades with soap and water, alcohol, or barbicide. A very important note about using alcohol, however, is that you MUST let the alcohol dry. Wiping it off significantly reduces its efficacy. Allow it to air dry for maximal effect. Also, allowing your blades to rest for several days after receiving them provides additional security just in case they were not properly cleaned AND they had contact with an infected person who ALSO transmitted a sufficient viral load to the blade.

I hope this is somewhat helpful. It's a tad off topic but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Wow... thanks for all that info, GreekGuy! I didn't know that there was a cure for Hep C, though I had heard that some rare people spontaneously beat it off naturally. I dit NOT know that Hep B was basically incurable, though I knew about the vaccine. Thanks for sharing that, OT or not. The reason I chimed in is that an ex GF who is still a good friend of mine has contracted both HIV and Hep C, and I doubt that she is aware that the HC can be cured. That's an important thing because a lot of the HIV treatments are hepatoxic and so the HC limits the drugs that can be used to fight the HIV. Can't go punishing the liver too much, when it is already sick. Anyway thanks for that. You just never know what you're gonna find on this board!

 

[Krodor]

So requesting cheap (slow) shipping will help ensure we don't develop any Hepatitis....interesting. Slow shipping is healthy!

 

[Kentos]

Mods working some OT on this one .

Thanks for that infor GreekGuy!

 

[global_dev]

Wha happened to the chris walken quote? Was it that bad humor? It was a pulp fiction which was barely r.

 

[hokahay]

Ah. Okay I might have them confused. But actually I think it is important. Methyl alcohol is much better at killing stuff than isopropyl. So I guess buyer beware and read the label.

there's another forum?

 

[Doc226]

Here is an awesome shaver. $5.00 for the razor and I did the rescaling.