Razor Restoration Technique

Razor Restoration Process

This restoration technique is one that I have used with great success. Razors that I acquire can range from  30 - 100 years old and they come in all kinds of conditions. Sometimes, they are very clean and only require a wipe down; but most of them are pretty dirty and require a complete restoration process. And then there are the ones that have been so neglected that they require dismantling (if possible) and a “twice around” process.

The one pictured below has a middle of the road type condition. It is fairly dirty with soap scum and some neglect. It’s a Gillette Super Speed ‘Blue Tip’ razor from 1956. This was one of four colored tips that Gillette offered. The first one was the black tip that was in a category by itself. The next three were, in this order:

Blue Tip - Mild shave

Silver (Flair) Tip - Medium Shave

Red Tip - Aggressive Shave

Starting in 1958, Gillette came out with the adjustable (Fat Boy) razor that you could dial in the amount of aggressiveness you  wanted instead of using three different razors.

Click on any photo to enlarge.

The restoration process is time tested and works very well. The steps are as follows:

1) - “boil” razors in water for 10 minutes. I usually have the water to almost a slow boil. This step helps loosen up the gunk that is layered on the razor. Sometimes that gunk is like cement.

2) - Spray razor liberally with Scrubbing Bubbles and let sit for a few minutes.

3) - Use toothbrush and brush/scrub razor. Then rinse off.

4) - Place razor(s) in Ultrasonic Cleaner. Cleaning solution is just a household cleaner or dish detergent. Leave in Ultrasonic from 3-5 minutes.

5) - (Optional)Place razor(s) in disinfecting solution such as Barbicide. This solution is used in Barber Shops to disinfect combs and other instruments. Let sit for ten minutes. Then rinse.

At this point some razor require no more cleaning. Their finish was, originally, that good that polishing isn’t necessary. But the majority of razors require the next steps also.

6) - Polish razor with either Maas or Flitz metal polish. Use a lint less rag to rub the polish in and then use a different rag to polish. Maas is a little more aggressive as it is a paste. Flitz is a liquid but works well also.

7) - This step is usually missed by other restorers but it is NECESSARY. After I polish the razor(s), I place them back into the Ultrasonic Cleaner for about 3 minutes. This step will wash away any polish residue that remains. It does NOT effect the polished finish.

Finished Results

Here are some more photos of groups of razors.