is it safe to use a lightly rusted razor?

I like this answer best of all.

You are very entertaining.

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I have had good teachers ... like you for example.
Here is another professional opinion:
- Surgical instrument spotting, staining, and corrosion (rust) are serious problems in many healthcare facilities.
- Spotting lies loosely on the surface. Staining is integral with the surface. Corrosion penetrates the surface.
- Spotting, staining, and corrosion of surgical instruments can impair their function. For example , a ... may not open because of corrosion, scissors and scalpels could become dull, and instruments could break during surgery as a result of severe corrosion.
- Spotting, staining, and corrosion also interfere with sterilization. Spores can be protected from destruction during sterilization by the layers of iron oxide (rust).
- Soil residues that are allowed to dry on the surface of instruments can cause damages. Soils should not be allowed to dry onto the surface of instruments ...

If you're too cheap to buy new razors, I assume you are talking about the removable kind, just a few strokes on an Arkansas stone would remove the rust and put the edge back on the blade.

Rusty razors might be steril, but if contaminated, that rust will hold the bacteria much better than a new, clean blade. I use new blades - actually in a Shick double disposable.

Exactly! Get a new razor, cheapo! 64, now 65 responses on a question likely put by a Scot trying to save a few pennies?? Hell, give me your address and the type of razor you're using and I'll send you some new ones!

Come on Roger! You are making stuff up to back up your prejudice. I bet that you didn't even look to see if there is any reality to this claim (and yes I did check). I mean, do you have a link from a scientific source to back this up.

Again, as the CDC and EPA and the School of Medicine already referenced in this thread, rust doesn't come from "contamination" it comes from moisture. You all keep on wanting to link rust to bacteria. And yet, no one has come up with a link.

And you make up this claim that bacteria will "hold bacteria better" with zero facts to back this up.

Let's think logically about this. Rust is Ferrous oxide and is a stable compound of iron and oxygen. There is no reason to believe that the chemical compound is more conducive to bacterial growth... in fact the only scientific references made in this thread, including the CDC link found by Herald, say the contrary.

Razors today have moisturizing strips which are more porous than rust (with all the crevices you will imagine). Do you see that as more of a risk as the "crevices" in a little rust?

This is a just classic case of American hysteria. It is a neurotic obsession for sterility even when there is no scientific or medical reason for it.

This is the reason that we keep buying anti-bacterial soap even though scientist tell us that not only is the ineffective, but that it is actually harmful to our heath.

I agree. And anyway the topic was not dirty razors, but a little light rust.

The willingness of Americans to throw perfectly usable things away is obscene. Americans produce 25% of the world's trash in spite of the fact we are 5% of the world's population.

Throwing away a perfectly good razor because of little rust is not only crazy, it is irresponsible.

Bullshit! Exactly what prejudice are you accusing me of, here.

I promise you, I no more discriminate against rusty razor blades than rusty nails. That is a truely horseshit post.

When I agreed with max's post I did not intend to extend the statement re prejudice.

Cut the you all.

I meant "prejudice" in the strict dictionary definition of the word "preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience". I realize that this word now has a stronger implication that I did not intend.

I am simply suggesting that your rationalization that rust holds bacteria better is based on a preconceived notion that rust is dirty. It doesn't have any rational or factual basis.

I wasn't accusing you of bigotry toward razor blades.

Why? English needs a second person plural.

Got it.

Ok I have 2 things to say.

1 being: a rusted razor has been exposed to air and water, both of which carry bacteria that can be transferred to the blade by just sitting it out in the open while wet. Also it depends on what surfaces the blade has touched. Some surfaces have possibly had someone else's soap, washcloth, razor, etc. on it and that in turn attracts and generates other bacteria, thus putting the risk of picking up something potentially dangerous.

And 2: My best friend's aunt picked up a skin eating disease called Necrotising Faceitis from a razor blade that had no visible rust on it at first glance, but on closer inspection had a very tiny spot in the corner. This disease spreads rapidly, taking anywhere from 20 minutes to 8 hours to incubate, then it begins to liquify the tissues of the body at an alarming rate. Secondary symptoms are nausea, headache, body ache, dizziness, vertigo, dry mouth and tremors. Any or none could occur, and the highly aggressive bacteria can enter the body from a nick even as small as a pinprick. I was with my friend and her aunt when they went to the hospital. In less than the 10 minute drive to the ER the spot that had appeared went from dime sized, to covering her entire inner thigh and most of her calf. the only remedy for such a case was to cut out the muscle and tissue around the infected area before it could spread further. The woman uses a wheelchair now because ahe lost over 96% of her leg muscle.

This is a rare disease, but VERY dangerous, and even deadly if not treated in time. So have caution for things like that.

We have every opinion on the spectrum. Take your pick, folks.

Good and interesting post, Stormy.

But if you are wise you will pick mine.