Rust on Schick Injector model E

[bakelite]

Hello everyone!

I am a college student ready to give up the abusive relationship that was between cheap disposable razors and my face. I wanted for a long time to get into straight razors, but after a while I realized that they were not for me, at least right now.

After reading a lot of these forums, and other online sources, I have bought a Schick Injector model E off of the bay. I got it in today and I can tell that it is probably an E2 (the probably comes from not knowing if it is E2 or E3, but it's definitely one of the two). The razor is in amazing condition and the spring is tight, but when I opened it up (by swinging the spring left) I noticed that there is some gray discoloration in the gold plating on the inside (on the part that is farther back from the part that the razor rests on, farther back being past the 90 degree bend) and there is also quite a bit of rust where the blade would sit.

I tried cleaning both of these parts off with rubbing alcohol and a paper towel, but to no avail as nothing came off. I am not looking to get this amazing looking, as I am planning on making it my shaving razor and not some display antique, but I do have three questions.

I get blades in next week, but do you think the rust will interfere with the shaveability (tightness of the blade and so forth) of the razor?

Is there some way I can get the rust and discoloration off from the inside of the razor that won't hurt the razor? I don't want to mess up the bakelite handle or possibly hurt the razor head in any way.

I was thinking that the rust probably came from a blade being kept in for years and years, as the rust is only on the part of the razor that it would touch, but how likely do you think that it is actually the metal under the gold plating that is rusting?


Thanks so much everyone and I am looking forward to starting on my journey to become a razor aficionado.

 

[brianw]

I would conjecture that it is rust from a old blade... Get yourself a old firm toothbrush and some toothpaste and go at it... Scrubbing bubbles also work well. With the toothbrush use some elbow grease and work at it...it should come off.

 

[Slivovitz]

I'd try Scrubbin' bubbles and a toothbrush. I've also used a pipe cleaner for the crevices. I cleaned my G type this way when I first got it. Got a lot of gunk out. Once you close it up again, be sure that the blade sits tightly. This thread, about the G type, should also be applicable to E types.

About the rust, I would think that it has to be residue from a blade, not the metal of the razor, and should clean right off. If Scrubbin's Bubbles doesn't do it, maybe somebody else has a suggestion. Don't know if CLR might be too harsh.

 

[82R100]

+1 on the toothpaste scrub.

There's no rustable metal in your razor, so that's just transferred from the razor that sat in there. Honestly, I don't think it does any harm other than to drive you crazy. It should have no effect on the function of the razor either way. See this thread for wisdom on loading the blade.

Enjoy.

- Chris

 

[garyg]

+1 on the Scrubbing Bubbles with toothbrush, also useful on the Schicks is a toothpick to pry the green stuff from the seams, same principle with dental floss where appropriate, like around the spring rivet.

One caveat, Do Not soak that bakelite handle in rubbing alcohol .. trust me on that