Question about buying used razors

[jeff_C]

So is there a concern with buying a used razor? How should one clean an old razor or a used razor so it can be safely used?

Ive thought about trying to visit some antique shops but I would be a little leary about shaving with a razor from who knows where...

Am I being paranoid? Im thinking nicks carry blood... blood carries "stuff".

 

[kaiseris]

Boiling water and some washing-up liquid is good enough for me.

 

[Jack Russell]

+1

 

[BigBull]

Do a google search for something like "Badger and Blade cleaning/restoring razors" and you will find a TON of information. I have only limited experience, but have read that depending on the plating you may not want to boil water. For instance, many say scrubbing bubbles and antibacterial soap. Some say alcohol. Not saying its right or wrong, but there is extensive information on this page and google gives you the best opportunity to find it. Good Luck!

 

[adios_mach_3s]

Am I being paranoid? Im thinking nicks carry blood... blood carries "stuff".

I feel the same way...

If your really wanna feel confident about kill the germs, get you some barbicide. If you have a Sally Beauty supply close by, you can get some there. Once you get your razor clean with some soapy water, scrubbing bubbles, etc. Soak it in the barbicide. You don't have to buy the fancy barbicide jar, just put it in a glass or something like that.

 

[chongo gordo]

If you're eating in a restaurant, do you worry about who put your utensils in their mouths before you? Of course not. Soap and hot water, give em a good long soaking the first time.

Or buy new and don't worry about it.

 

[dfollett_98]

Jeff:

The razor is the blade holder. If there were "stuff" it would most likely be on the blade that does the cutting and was thrown away. After proper cleaning of the razor you should be good to go. Several doctor's on B&B have echoed this same advice. I don't remember which member (maybe Doc4?) is an Infectious Disease Specialist. Many of us on B&B have bought, cleaned and used vintage razors and to the best of my knowledge, we are still alive and kicking!

For newly acquired used razors I use almost boiling water with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 Tablespoon of Borax disolved in the water and poured over the razors, soak for 30 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, repeat this process followed by a 10 minute dip in Barbicide and water mix, dry, polish with Maas (if not gold-plated) and shave away!

Good luck and enjoy your shaves.

Don

 

[attime6]

If by stuff you mean viruses like AIDS, HIV, Hepatitis, etc, you don't have to worry they can't survive out of the human body for more than a few hours. Bacteria may still be on the razor so take an old toothbrush, dish soap and a glass of hot water, pour some soap into the glass and stir with the toothbrush. Thoroughly scrub the razor withe the toothbrush. This should kill most bacteria and it will clean the razor, if you want added piece of mind after you scrub it soak it in rubbing alcohol for 10 minutes.

 

[Gingerbread]

I take anything I buy, dunk it under rubbing alcohol, and scrub it with a soft toothbrush.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Just clean it and you are good to go. There was a thread recently on this. If you are noid about it, clean it and soak in barbicide or go to autozone and get some HEET brand methanol and soak in that. Be sure to rinse off the methanol as it is not made for cleaning or medical use and could have trace amounts of heavy metal contaminants. A rinse in tap water will do it tho. Most germs need dirt. Filth. Debris. And above all, mosture, to survive. The ones you are probably most concerned about are HIV and hepatitis C, and they can only survive a few days at the most on a dry surface.

I am a straight shaver and I have bought a lot of ebay razors. I don't worry about any special sterilization techniques. After a good polish and honing, by the time I ever get around to shaving with it I can guarantee that there are no harmful germs on the razor. For a DE or other razor that uses disposable blades, the risk of using a razor even without cleaning would be pretty minimal. In fact, the real reason to clean a used DE would simply be the "ewww... someone else's dried lather!" thing. Aesthetics, that's all.

I wouldn't boil a razor. Not a good idea as a general rule. Soak in hot but definitely not boiling dishwashing soap solution. Then apply Scrubbing Bubbles or toothbrush and toothpaste. Your cleaned vintage razor is just as safe (or safer) as a new one.

 

[diyguy]

If you are referring to an old beat up rusty straight .... I doubt many nasties can servive the restoration process. Any nasties get ground away in the rust removal process IMO. Additionally, I usually wash the razor with soap and water after the honing process to ensure no abrasive particles get on my strop. This too would eliminate any nasties. In the end, for a restored straight I simply don't worry about it.

 

[retturn2blades]

Antibacterial soap in hot water, then rubbing alcohol. Blood borne pathogens don't survive much over a few seconds to minutes in the open air...otherwise we'd all be dead. For total safety, a Tetanus shot is always a good idea.

 

[Intrigued]

Boiling water and some washing-up liquid is good enough for me.

Please do not put razors in boiling water. It can ruin them. If you feel you must use boiling water, then put the razor in another container and pour the boiling water on it.

 

[takeshi]

How should one clean an old razor or a used razor so it can be safely used?

Don't overlook the Wiki and other resources (such as prior threads) here on B&B:
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Safety_razor_maintenance

 

[Gordy2]

I clean them up with hot water, soap, tooth brush, a brief shot of Scrubbing Bubbles then a bath in alcohol. Am I paranoid? I don't think so, I just like clean razors. There are numerous posts on B&B on cleaning newly bought razors. A bit of "search" will find them.

 

[celestino]

I feel the same way...

If your really wanna feel confident about kill the germs, get you some barbicide. If you have a Sally Beauty supply close by, you can get some there. Once you get your razor clean with some soapy water, scrubbing bubbles, etc. Soak it in the barbicide. You don't have to buy the fancy barbicide jar, just put it in a glass or something like that.

+1

 

[kaiseris]

have read that depending on the plating you may not want to boil water

No, I'm not boiling the razor in water. I just put the razor in a bowl, squirt some washing-up liquid and poor boiling water to cover it.

 

[LegionPrime]

Antibacterial soap in hot water, then rubbing alcohol. Blood borne pathogens don't survive much over a few seconds to minutes in the open air...otherwise we'd all be dead. For total safety, a Tetanus shot is always a good idea.

This^ I just got my Herpegonasyphilaids booster last month.

 

[heitwl]

Rubbing alcohol, bleach, bleach will kill anything rinse it real good and this should do the trick.

 

[kingfisher]

I clean them up with hot water, soap, tooth brush, a brief shot of Scrubbing Bubbles then a bath in alcohol. Am I paranoid? I don't think so, I just like clean razors. There are numerous posts on B&B on cleaning newly bought razors. A bit of "search" will find them.

I'm the aforementioned infectious diseases doctor. I like this answer. Dishsoap and water is probably sufficient, but Scrubbing Bubbles makes 'em shine up better. After the 70% rubbing alcohol bath, let them air dry. Alcohol does most of its sanitizing work as it dries.