shadowman12
Legendary Member
Hi, I would like to sterilize my straight razor (Koraat and Thiers Issard). Can I put the blade for 5 minutes in boiling water, or will that damage the blade?
Sterellize straight razor
- Thread starter shadowman12
- Start date
It won't damage it, but it won't "sterilise" it either. You need Barbicide or equivalent. I'm sure steaming, alcohol etc etc... would probably be fine, but why risk it when Barbicide is cheap anyway...
shadowman12
Legendary Member
I saw someone say today in a dutch facebook shaving group that Barbacide/Alcohol wont sterilize everything of the razor.I checked his profile and he seems to be a laborant.
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SweeneyTodd
Forum GOD!
As @Nisse says, it's not clear why you want to sterilise the razor, and to what degree.
Dipping the blade in Barbicide will of course sterilise that. However, the blade folds into the handle, so the interior of the scales also needs treatment for transferred contaminants.
I think a lot depends on what the scales are made of, but I'd be wary of immersing them in Barbicide without checking first. Probably a wipe-over might be okay.
If the razor is entirely metal (blade and scales) then it would likely withstand autoclaving, but that may not be good for horn, plastic, nacre and other non-metallic handles.
Dipping the blade in Barbicide will of course sterilise that. However, the blade folds into the handle, so the interior of the scales also needs treatment for transferred contaminants.
I think a lot depends on what the scales are made of, but I'd be wary of immersing them in Barbicide without checking first. Probably a wipe-over might be okay.
If the razor is entirely metal (blade and scales) then it would likely withstand autoclaving, but that may not be good for horn, plastic, nacre and other non-metallic handles.
I do a 3 part effort to try and sterilize a straight razor. First I use Q tips and peroxide to wipe down the blade, rinse and dry, then the same with bleach and lastly the same with rubbing alcohol. You could use barbicide and it would be easier. I'd be cautious using any of that on the scales though.
Once that has been done and I have used the razor I do not sterilize it again.
Bob
Once that has been done and I have used the razor I do not sterilize it again.
Bob
Barrington
Forum GOD!
To actually sterilize a straight razor you have to use an autoclave as they do in hospitals and the reason you see all steel razors including the scales. I have bought many used vintage straight razor and only used the method in post #6 to disinfect with no ill consequences.
Bob
If you want guaranteed sterile you're looking at an autoclave. Boiling water for 15 minutes will kill anything bar spores, and doing this on three successive days (Tyndallisation) is effective against spores too.
Barbicide will disinfect but not sterilise a razor.
Personally if I buy a second-hand razor it gets washed with antibacterial soap and hot water and then a bath in boiling water.
Barbicide will disinfect but not sterilise a razor.
Personally if I buy a second-hand razor it gets washed with antibacterial soap and hot water and then a bath in boiling water.
Barrington
Forum GOD!
Barbicide, IPA and then hone is the way I've always done it, but always open to new ideas and suggestions.
Although none of the above if in my weekly rotation.
Although none of the above if in my weekly rotation.
UKRob
Forum GOD!
What are you worried about that will withstand some ordinary sterilised wipes? Boiling carbon steel is likely to do far more damage to your straight razor in my opinion. I could understand your concerns if you were shaving with a razor that still had someone’s warm blood on it - but otherwise I wouldn’t worry.
If you buy a straight razor that was used before you - of course, you need to somehow disinfect it.
You can rinse with boiling water (but not the handle!), Place for some time in pure alcohol (also on the handle), additionally treat with one or another antiseptic.
As for aging in autoclaves, this can only be justified in relation to special razors that were made for medical purposes, and it was for this that they made a metal pen. Pictured is the Russian razor Vacha Medical:
You can rinse with boiling water (but not the handle!), Place for some time in pure alcohol (also on the handle), additionally treat with one or another antiseptic.
As for aging in autoclaves, this can only be justified in relation to special razors that were made for medical purposes, and it was for this that they made a metal pen. Pictured is the Russian razor Vacha Medical:
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