Should I clean my brand new razor before shaving with it?

[Monsieur Blaireau]

I just received my much anticipated new Muhle R41, the 2011 model. I must admit all the hype about its purported aggressiveness has got me a tad trepidatious. I am, literally, anxious to give it a try and find out for myself. Review to follow.

First, though, a question: do I need to do anything to clean or sterilize it before I slap that shiny new Derby in there and get to work, or is it good to go out of the box?

 

[Galhatz]

I use a tooth brush and some warm water with dishwashing soap to make sure I get any hint of factory dust.

 

[fcdiscus]

Wouldn't hurt but probably not necessary.

 

[Altair]

91% alcohol is probably all you need

 

[Graybeard57]

Yes.

 

[jamesspo]

I've never cleaned any of my new razors. It seems unlikely to be an issue. But certainly a dunk of the head in some alcohol wouldn't hurt anything.

 

[El-a-Menthol]

Wouldn't hurt but probably not necessary.

It might be necessary.
Never assume that something that comes out of a factory or place of production leaves that place clean.
Oils, grease, chemicals. Even if it is a cosmetical device. Or maybe even more so because it is a cosmetical device.
I don't think sterilization is necessary, but a thorough rinse and rub would be a good idea.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Any new razor I've ever had, all I've done is to run it under hot water before shaving with it. That's all I've ever done and there have been no problems to date. As has been mentioned, go ahead and clean it if that will make you feel better.

 

[gus1942]

I just received my much anticipated new Muhle R41, the 2011 model. I must admit all the hype about its purported aggressiveness has got me a tad trepidatious. I am, literally, anxious to give it a try and find out for myself. Review to follow.

First, though, a question: do I need to do anything to clean or sterilize it before I slap that shiny new Derby in there and get to work, or is it good to go out of the box?

Rinse it off and shave.

 

[JustAnotherDude]

I just received my much anticipated new Muhle R41, the 2011 model. I must admit all the hype about its purported aggressiveness has got me a tad trepidatious. I am, literally, anxious to give it a try and find out for myself. Review to follow.

First, though, a question: do I need to do anything to clean or sterilize it before I slap that shiny new Derby in there and get to work, or is it good to go out of the box?

When you buy new underwear, do you wash it before you wear it?

And why would you wash the "new out of the box" razor, if you don't wash each and every razor blade before using?

 

[Agravic]

Cleaning per se is not necessary, although it certainly won't hurt. Although YMMV, I would suggest another blade rather than the Derby, unless of course they have worked well for you with other razors.

 

[Vickers]

Put on a Level B hazmat suit. Approach "new" razor with EXTREME CAUTION. Put welder gloves on over hazmat gloves. Use insulated, non-conducting tongs to pick up "new" razor. Carefully lift up (do not lift above head). DO NOT AGITATE, SHAKE, OR DROP "NEW" RAZOR. Immerse "new" razor in a boiling combination of DOT 4 brake fluid, vinegar, muriatic acid and NOS Jeff Gordon 24 Hour Energy Drink©. Boil for 2 hours. DO NOT OVER- OR UNDER-BOIL. Remove from liquid. Rinse with spring water. You are now ready to enjoy your "new" razor!

tl:dr Rinse it off and shave.

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

Nice. My first inclination would be to go with gus1942's advise, as I'm generally a leave the milk out overnight and who ever got hurt from a little dirt kind of anti germaphobe. And no I don't wash underwear before I wear it. I did recently hear that "they" put pesticides in clothing before it goes into the shoppes in order to keep the bedbugs at bay and such. So maybe we all ought to start washing our underwear before we wear it. Unless we're trying to prevent - or cure - a case of crabs.

Derby's: I'm still on my first derby blade in my current razor, and so far it's been a pretty steady, good if mild blade. But my only point of reference is Wilkinson Swords, which have been draggy and dull of late.

 

[Vickers]

I'm not generally a fan of Derby blades, but they work quite well in my R41.