You Dirty, Dirty Razor!

[TheMJThriller2009]

I just received a 1957 Gillette Super Speed Blue Tip (that I purchased off eBay last week).

I'm going to use your method to clean/disinfect it tonight. Thanks for the tips, Mantic!

[vivikal1]

AND IF YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH WITH THIS TOOTHBRUSH YOU 'RE AND IDIOT....

[zanuha]

I found my grandpa's 1966-75 Gillette Knack some time ago, all I did to it was soak it in a disinfectant for a day and scrub.

[HagiTakanashi1]

I have a old gillet gold tech from 1930,s anyone know how I can clean the copper sulfite (the green stuff) off it. I used nevr dull and vinegar but it's on there good.

[Basketball80]

What about using a toothbrush with some Comet Cleanser and then polishing it with toothpaste? 

[mantic59]

@Basketball80 i think Comet would be too harsh.

[nico27004]

do you know of a good brand of cut throat straight razor that wont break the bank. i see one Ultimate Pro and empires. do you have any suggestions?

[mantic59]

@nico27004 Dovo makes a decent "cut throat" razor for under $100 but that is about it. All the other cheap straight razors I have looked at will not keep a good edge.

[gekisen01]

shaving is awesome and all, but wheres the footage with that girl from?

[mantic59]

@gekisen01 Sorry, don't know about the girl. Just some random video stock footage I found.

[jerryx2000]

@gekisen01 its at 0:51

[dewd89]

Hi, thanks for your great videos!

One question, why dilute the vinegar? wouldn't undiluted vinegar be more effective? Same question when cleaning a shaving brush

[mantic59]

@dewd89 hi concentrations of vinegar could damage (or at least discolor) the razor's plating.

[daboss212]

just got a 62 gillette adjustable today cant wait to use it

[Sviolinist]

Mantic59 - what do you think of using MAAS or some sort of metal polish? I just acquired a 1962 Slim Gillette for about 5 dollars. It's in working order but it's tarnished completely (and looks rather bad in it's current state - despite being perfectly usable). I also read somewhere that soaking the razor in mineral oil is good for lubricating the working parts. What do you think? I imagine you'll think that the metal polish could irritate the skin - but if done before other cleaning....

[IsaakHunt]

I bought a 1965 Gillette adjustable a while ago. I think the best polish is a not too aggressive car polish. Special polish for metal is too abrasive, because it's only galvanized brass. To clean it up first, I used a toothbrush, q-tips and regular soap, after that an ultrasonic-bath, soaked it in desinfectant and after that I used gun oil to lubricate the mechanics. Gun oil is acid-free and doesn't get sticky after time.

[IsaakHunt]

If you have the adjustable, too, before using the ultra sonic bath, you'll need to cover up those black numbers with duct-tape or something like that, because the color gets off.

[IsaakHunt]

After this first thorough cleaning, you really won't have to polish it up that way. I regularly use some cigarette's ashes to polish the razor up. I use my Gillette adjustable almost everyday and I clean it with an old toothbrush after every use and I always dry it up. Every three months I clean it more thoroughly, like already mentioned and oil it. Just a few drops are more than enough. You needn't soak it in oil.

[IsaakHunt]

Oh, and from what I understand, most polishes are made of chalk, the more aggressive ones seem to use a sand/chalk mixture. I've heard that some people use pure chalk to avoid skin irritation.

[Sviolinist]

@IsaakHunt Thanks for all your input. I will definitely use this information to clean my razor.

[Elefantin0]

0:48 ducks

[Frap357]

Break the law and you will go to jail?

You're a sick man.

[MrBawston]

Who's the chick in the bathtub ??

[Trotters80]

Why dispose of the toothbrush?

[vancityguy]

I have a question regarding the hot water. I see the kettle though I don't think you need to boil it do you? Just hot water from the tap will suffice?

[mantic59]

vancityguy- Right, just hot tap water.

[xmen123321]

hey mantic i just found an old 1931 gillette and after i finished cleaning it and put it back to gether the handle got two hair line cracks going down the handle.

do you know why this happend and is there a way i can prevent it from cracking any further?

[mantic59]

xmen123321- Sorry I can't help you with those questions, I don't know.

[Cowboycurtis888]

Is that a fracture in the metal,, or is it some sort of vinier coating with a crack? Typically any acidic chemicals or harsh temperatures arent good on vintage finish like that, because either the plastic is damaged from age and sun and what have you, or that it's something like turtle shell or ivory or bone that's actually somewhat biodegradeable. I reccomend superglue for repair of such things...it may not look good but it should prevent further damage.

[Cowboycurtis888]

To finish what I was saying, you may find an all natural gentle clear nailpolish and coat the handle with it (make sure not to coat parts that unscrew or move) This will seal the fragile material and prevent water damage. :-) If this is a metal fracture however, I got nothing...SOrry :-)

[debit256]

super glue it and it broke because its more then 70 years old.

[xmen123321]

lol that could be why. still shaves great

[azpeev]

@xmen123321 Stress cracks appear frequently on ball type handles.

[karstux]

A really good way to clean up old stuff is to use Corega tabs (denture cleaning product) or an equivalent product. It will remove limescale and all sorts of gunk.

As for rust, I'd think the vinegar, being acidic, will make it worse rather than better. A mildly abrasive polishing agent will probably work better. If it's in the threading, try a steel wire brush.

[buzzclark]

Hello Mantic. I sort of inherited a '60's Gillette adjustable from my father. It has the original plastic container with a liftable lid. I was wondering if it was worth anything as a collector's item. Also, What would you say is the most inexpensive double edge blade and where is the best place to purchase it? Prices of everything has gone up. Thank You. sincerely, JAMES.

[mantic59]

buzzclark- A 60's adjustable might be worth something if its in good shape. Check eBay. As for an inexpensive blade, the cheapest readily available blade that I know of is probably Derby. They go for about $17-22 for a box of 100 over at shavingfactory(dot)com.

[gzephier]

i recently got an old gillette safety razor from my mom's stepdad and all i did was saok in hot water, and scrubed it with a toothbrush. the result-it was as clean as the day it was first bought! :)

[djphydoux]

So found, of all things, an old Gillette travel razor, but I was wondering if you could do a video on using these much smaller DE razors.

[TaisinViper]

wtf was the point of the end crap?

[MTP19]

the razor you cleaned in the vid is the one i use :P

[andy86i]

just done the vinegar one, good as new :D

[jackstikishack]

I've got a little bit of rust forming on mine. Will this get that off, or does that require special attention?

[mantic59]

jackstikishack- It depends on how much rust there is and where it is on the razor. These techniques can get moderate amounts of rust, but if the rust has penetrated far enough down you might have to try a polish like Maas.

[latefee]

My Merkur Progress is starting to form a little rust in the head post screw threading. Any recommendations?

[mantic59]

latefee- Try the vinegar solution mentioned in this video, followed by brusing it with a toothbrush. That should work with rust too.

[Cybrok]

I just found a Gillette SS my father havn't used in YEARS. I'll try this.

It might be a better traveler than my straights :S

[DemonWolf915]

Love the new intro. Great vid as always, very useful and helpful.

[coronet]

I've been submerging my razors in *imple Green for 23-48 hours, scrubbing every 6. It hasn't damaged anything yet.

[kbrinks]

Ah man don't stoop to the lowness of putting a chick in the middle of your videos! you're better than that!

[mantic59]

I gotta bring in them scruffy-faced kids somehow! :-)

[superradrudeboy]

it sure brought me in. haha j/k. But good mini episode man.

[ScottieWP09]

Good video, I was glad to see a return to shaving videos. As always, this is very useful.

[ToboPotato]

Hey man! You get the good old endings back! Old School is the shit...

[petesangyal2]

i think addig salt into the winegar/water solutions helps the process even better

[mantic59]

Adding salt would probably damage the razor's plating.

[newyorkfish]

I see you prefer "Break the Law" part over a "Copyright" notice.

I would prefer the "Copyright" over that voice any day.

[mantic59]

I like his deep, dark voice.  :-)

[Jasonian]

Is his name Lola?

[mantic59]

Or Sue?! Is he a showgirl? (Wow, talk about mixing lyrics, LOL!)