Ultrasonic Cleaner: Unnecessary

[patten1969]

In a fit of laziness I bought a $25 ultrasonic cleaner at Walmart so I could clean my razors. It turns out that using a toothbrush and Scrub-Free works better, so don't waste your money. That $25 could be
200 Big Ben Blades
A fantastic 2-band knot from TGN
88% full tub of T&H, any flavor
A Fatip Open comb
And other stuff.

 

[luvmysuper]

I don't use one - I go with the toothbrush and scrubbing bubbles. I found that even using the ultrasonic cleaner still required additional work with the toothbrush anyway, so why bother.
But...
For those members who have a greater level of fear about "cooties" - There is evidence that an ultrasonic cleaner is very effective at significantly reducing the quantity of them on the surface of objects.
It's an option if you are somewhat of a germaphobe, as a final step, rather than a preliminary one.

 

[brucered]

it will also give your razor that Instant Antique Look, as someone recently found out with a Minty President, seen here

When I want to clean a razor, it's toothbrush, mild dish/hand soap and a Barbicide dip, followed with a Q-Tip polish and Maas.

 

[rxonmymind]

I disagree. Some razors I've come across have such hard concrete scum that brush & soap alone would not dent what was on there. Once in the cleaner for about an hour it tend to loosen up crud significantly which made my job easier. It also helps loosen scum up on the inside to help loosen up say an adjustment dial or tto. To each their own. You are correct that in the majority of cases it's not needed.

 

[ackvil]

I disagree. Some razors I've come across have such hard concrete scum that brush & soap alone would not dent what was on there. Once in the cleaner for about an hour it tend to loosen up crud significantly which made my job easier. It also helps loosen scum up on the inside to help loosen up say an adjustment dial or tto. To each their own. You are correct that in the majority of cases it's not needed.

+1. It does a great job on old, troubled razors.

 

[brucered]

+1. It does a great job on old, troubled razors.

what happened with the President in the above Ultra-Sonic? I'd be scared as heck to put anything in one after seeing that.

was it because it's Rhodium?

 

[Bill R]

I do use one and I've never regretted buying it.
I will agree that it doesn't magically transform whatever it is that you're cleaning, but they are very good at getting muck out of nooks and crannies. It's just another tool in the armoury!

Cheers

 

[rxonmymind]

it will also give your razor that Instant Antique Look, as someone recently found out with a Minty President, seen here

When I want to clean a razor, it's toothbrush, mild dish/hand soap and a Barbicide dip, followed with a Q-Tip polish and Maas.

Out of the many ,many razors I've done this is a first. Perplexing for sure. Upon closer inspection of the razor on purchase(from memory) there were black specs throughout the handle. Not blackened soap scum as I thought. The equivalent of the dreaded green on nickel. Corrosion. Lessoned learned. But I certainly don't fault the ultrasonic cleaner for it.

 

[rxonmymind]

what happened with the President in the above Ultra-Sonic? I'd be scared as heck to put anything in one after seeing that.

was it because it's Rhodium?

No Bruce. I've done Presidents before in Ultra sonic and gold, my platinum ring etc. The President I got was just on its last legs and would have disintegrated with a toothbrush or cleaner. Soap & a little vibration doesn't hurt metal.

 

[brucered]

No Bruce. I've done Presidents before in Ultra sonic and gold, my platinum ring etc. The President I got was just on its last legs and would have disintegrated with a toothbrush or cleaner. Soap & a little vibration doesn't hurt metal.

Ahh..got it. I have no personal experience with Ultra-Sonic cleaners and after seeing the before/after pics, I was shocked at what it did.

Makes sense if it was thin and on it's last legs.

Sorry for the confusion, my mistake.

 

[luvmysuper]

what happened with the President in the above Ultra-Sonic? I'd be scared as heck to put anything in one after seeing that.

was it because it's Rhodium?

When Presidents show signs of wear (for some reason) it's usually on the handle like that. I have had several that displayed the exact same wear on the handle after a gentle toothbrush cleaning.
It's my belief that the plating was compromised before it went into the cleaner, and the same would have resulted if he'd just used toothbrush cleaning or polishing.

 

[brucered]

When Presidents show signs of wear (for some reason) it's usually on the handle like that. I have had several that displayed the exact same wear on the handle after a gentle toothbrush cleaning.
It's my belief that the plating was compromised before it went into the cleaner, and the same would have resulted if he'd just used toothbrush cleaning or polishing.

yes...I just read his post in the President thread on the issue with the plating. If I am ever lucky enough to find a local President, I'll be sure to inspect before too much a cleaning of any type (tooth brush, maas, barbicide or a buddies ultra sonic)

Thanks Phil

 

[rxonmymind]

yes...I just read his post in the President thread on the issue with the plating. If I am ever lucky enough to find a local President, I'll be sure to inspect before too much a cleaning of any type (tooth brush, maas, barbicide or a buddies ultra sonic)

Thanks Phil

Off topic but eventually these razors we have will need to be replated sooner or later. In situation like mine might as well get it done now as prices for these precious metals are not going to get cheaper. Five hears from now a rhodium replate will be $120 for one razor. Ouch.

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

I go the toothbrush / scrubbing bubbles route but I'll put the razor in an ultrasonic cleaner afterwards and get even more dirt out of them. Not worried about cooties because I've protested against the cootie-phobia in other threads.

 

[HerrHepcat]

I like having my ultrasonic, it does make some hard cleaning easier.

It's also nice for a quick plop clean of jewelry. The wedding rings go in there at least once every few months.

 

[patten1969]

You know, I bet it would be great for mucked-up vintage razors (with the exception of the President mentioned above.) Years of build-up might require that sort of thing. I bought mine for simple soap scum, and I clearly don't need it. I also (please forgive me everyone) don't have a hankering for vintage razors; all mine are new EJs and Plissons.

 

[Mick]

So how do you get the "gunk/gum" out of the inside of a TTO handle?

I've been soaking a couple of Micromatic TTO single edge razors for a few weeks now and they are still sluggish..... They are squeaky clean outside (toothbrush and scrubbing bubbles) but gummy in side (i.e. the blade cap sticks and the TTO mech is obviously sticky)

I don't want to go the dip in carburetor cleaner route as they are not worth replating should they go back to brass.

 

[rxonmymind]

So how do you get the "gunk/gum" out of the inside of a TTO handle?

I've been soaking a couple of Micromatic TTO single edge razors for a few weeks now and they are still sluggish..... They are squeaky clean outside (toothbrush and scrubbing bubbles) but gummy in side (i.e. the blade cap sticks and the TTO mech is obviously sticky)

I don't want to go the dip in carburetor cleaner route as they are not worth replating should they go back to brass.

That's exactly why you need one. Nothing fancy that's a hundred dollars a cheap one will do as I bought mine from a n estate sale for $5. Some scum and "other stuff" has so embedded itself that a high agitation such as a ultrasonic is the only way to get it out. Comparatively a toothbrush is like using a paint brush on a razor as it can't get into those areas. You would be amazed what comes out of the inside of a tto hole. A lot. I had one razor took me upwards of two hours to soften the outer scjm on the well knurled handle of a Fatboy which was a HUGE time saver and convenience for me as it was like the commercial "drop it & forget it". I came back to one seriously clean razor.

Oh let me add that on some gold razors using toothbrush would be detrimental to it's finish.