I have no problem with the idea of a used vintage razor, but I am curious what would be considered the proper and necessary cleaning for one? I am going to look for a birth year razor (1974, would love a U3 for proper quarter but those seem to be impossible to find) but am sure it will need cleaning unless I can find a NOS (and I am not sure I really want to pay for one of those). What is the recommended process for cleaning a used razor that will actually be used and not just set aside and kept. Also, is there anywhere to look to get an idea of the proper price to pay for various vintage razors? The prices on Ebay seem to be all over the place! Thanks!
Many of us here use Scrubbing Bubbles. Open/take apart razor and place in small container Spray and cover with Scrubbing Bubbles Allow bubbles to disappear Spray and cover again Allow bubbles to disappear (do not allow to soak any longer than it takes for the bubbles to disappear, it has been known to take the paint off the numbers of Slims and Fatboys and the color off the Lady Gillettes. I've had no issue as long as I followed that rule) Scrub with soft toothbrush Rinse in hot water Light coat of light weight oil Done Boiling gold plated razors has been known to take the plating off.
They are out there. The Super Speed and the Super Adjustable give you two nice choices. I found a 76 for my son. They clean up well. You just have to be careful about the black handles. I would soak it in a Dawn soap solution and then clean it with a toothbrush. I have a dedicated electric Spinbrush that I use for cleaning my razors. I would keep Scrubbing Bubbles off the handle. That is just me. It will do well on the head, but it may discolor the black handle. Better safe than sorry. I would rinse it well with hot water, dry it, and then give the head a nice polish with Maas Polish.
If I have an nickel plated razor, I now simply open it up and run it through the dishwasher with everything else. Works great, no damage whatsoever.
I hit my local antique shops. If it's $5 or less, I generally buy unless it's completely unusable. If it's more, I see what the same thing is going for on eBay, etc. Or just buy if the condition is right. So yeah, it's a matter of how much you want the particular razor. I find that my local antique shops have been carrying more razors since I've purchased a few and spoke with the owners.
Thanks y'all for all the information and suggestions. I will take care if I end up with the SS or other from 74 with the black handle. I just want to make sure I am not mistreating the razor while still getting it clean enough that I will have no problem using it. As for purchasing, I think I will be scouring the antique shops and other shops around here to see what they might have. Hopefully can find one for less than some of the prices I have seen online.
I am so old that my birth razor didn't have a date code. I decided I would set the limit to my age: one dollar for each year. Fortunately, I did not have to pay that.
I like blue dawn and scrubbing bubbles as well as a nice soft toothbrush. When all is said and done I give em a soak in barbacide for good measure.
Barbacide will destroy Zamak (zinc) razors if there is the slightest imperfection in the plating, so if you have a modern razor, keep it out of the blue liquid.
I have used my method with Scubbing Bubbles on 9 black handle razors, 2 Red Tips, a Blue Tip, 3 Lady Gillette's, 3 Fatboys, 2 Slims, and numerous gold plated razors. All of these razors made it through with zero color or platting loss.
Definitely good to know! Looks like scrubbing bubbles is the popular choice. Now, just need to find the razor(s) at a decent price. HAHA
I personally keep it simple, warm water, a little soap ( I use mild hand soap), and a good ol' Army M16 plastic cleaning brush. Those bristles will remove anything!
If you have (or rather wife has) an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, warm water and mild dishsoap. Let it run in there even over night. Amazing the gunk that shows up.
Just saw a U3 Gillette Knack on ebay today. They are asking $18 plus $9 shipping. Don't know if you want to spend that much but thought you might like to know. If it was me though I would hold out for a Super Adjustable. A lot of times if they don't list the date code I ask them if they can find it for me. Most of the sellers oblige. Happy hunting.
