Thread: I hate handsanding on old blades!

Very well!
Maybe we should found a club.

Well obviously you guys know on what side of the fence I fall

I dont have a problem with leaving razors as is, unless it has pitting /rust then it needs attention...

The razor featured in the first link was just bad, either way, the restore was not finished, so you had bare ugly metal, and bad pitting, both on the blade which IMHO is the worst of both worlds.... If you are going to restore the blade then finish the work, if you like old leave it alone!!!!!

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Ok, I've used a buffing wheel with a very mild abrasive on some of my blades [..]

You, gentleman!

Originally Posted by 0livia

Very well!
Maybe we should found a club.

There is "The Rustiques" in the razor club section. Not too many posts thus far, but very nice blades.

Originally Posted by clavichord

You, gentleman!

I've got to tip my hat to JoeD on that one. It's his buffing wheel, he's done the experimentation/research to learn what he's taught me, and he's a great teacher (not to mention having me over so often and, along with CarrieM, playing the part of a wonderful host).

Originally Posted by clavichord

I would have payed serious money for this.. but.. I can't think different: I want my blades with all their grinding marks across the blade and their patina.. I know how to take care of them and gently remove what a blade shouldn't have.

you mean like this one:
Picasa Web Albums - gugi - John Barber C...

How wonderful! What a pair of scales!!!!

If I'm not wrong, that blade is in our SRDB or in some of our Razor Clubs.. yes.. I've seen her before.. I can't forget one like that.. Look those jimps! Wonderful blade!

I have a foot in both camps & have to agree with Glen. If it needs saving ya don't leave it rusty & pitted.
Knockout 'Barber' there Mr Gugi.

I think if the scales are vintage, unvarnished wood, or attempting to match the original look, then a satin finish looks far better. With modern acrylic or micarta scales, I find I like a mirror polish to match the sheen of the scales.

Just my 2c

Originally Posted by gssixgun

The razor featured in the first link was just bad, either way, the restore was not finished, so you had bare ugly metal, and bad pitting, both on the blade which IMHO is the worst of both worlds.... If you are going to restore the blade then finish the work, if you like old leave it alone!!!!!

Exactly what I thought when I saw this, Glen - worst of both worlds.

For me it depends on the razor. Some old razors look great with the original patina, and a mirror-shiny bevel. On others, I really admire the work I've seen done in skilled hands to make them like new. Razor bling is very practical bling. In the heyday of the straight, makers flaunted that with etching and goldwash. There is also a lot of inherent historical appreciation in a well-restored razor. You get to live a bit of the same new razor experience as a straight shaver 100+ years ago, preserving it.

That original owner likely would have pampered and polished that blade, too, especially if it was inherited. If they could look into the future 100 years, they might be amazed and proud that their prized personal razor is still in use, but puzzled as to why the current owner doesn't want to keep it sparkling shiny the way he did, when he originally owned it.