Thread: First ebay pick up, how did i do?

Hey all

I just got a set of hones, naniwa 1k and 3k/8k combo. i will likely at some point get at 12k as well, but from what i read on here, i need to be able to produce a shave ready edge off of an 8k first before moving to a 12k...
i digress...i wanted to pick up a cheap vintage razor off ebay to practice my honing with so I dont mess up the edge of my boker king cutter and my levi new grind (and yes, it is an awesome razor) while i am learning the art of honing. heres what i came up with. one side of the tang says Shapliegh Hdw Co St. Louis, U.S.A and the other says 6 Diamond Edge.



Anyone know anything about this razor or the company? is it quality steel? as far as the razor itself, it looks like its in excellent condition, it even shaved hair on my arm. it almost looks like its NOS with no wear whats soever on the spine. 15 bucks, not too shabby

also, any tips on how to clean up the patina would be helpful. Would i need to go as far as sanding it? (if you click on the first picture it should bring up a larger view so you can see the patina near the toe)

thanks for reading, any advice on how to make this baby look brand new would be greatly appreciated, hopefully i can learn quick and get a good edge on this bad boy!

James

They have a good rep...I can't tell if it's only patina near the toe or if there is some pitting...if its pitting and on the edge, it may be problematic...otherwise just use some high (1500+) grit sandpaper and metal polish and that will clean it up a bit.

I'd just polish it up with some metal polish and 0000 grade steel wool.

It looks like a good shaver to me.

Let us know how you go.

I think you did well. Great looking blade.

Shapliegh's were associated with good razors.
"Diamond edge, as good as the pledge"
THCKK Web Site, Winchester Keen Kutter OVB Diamond Edge Bluegrass

Hi j,

Nice looking razor!! You selected a great set of hones, and I suspect you'll go for a 12k also. Next to the Shaptons, the Naniwas are my favorite man made hones. I agree with Ryan and Havachat on their recommendation of materials to use with metal polish. Both work well for cleaning a blade with not much rust and I kind of prefer the 0000 steel wool. It usually comes in a package of 4 pads and you can cut off small pieces. It goes a long way. Also, that toe does look suspect. If the pitting is fairly deep you may have trouble getting a strong bevel, i.e. a crumbling edge if you can't hone past the rust to good metal. Good Luck, and Good Shaves!!

Here's a video by Lynn Abrams using the Naniwa's. http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...es-honing.html

Best Regards,
Howard

thanks for all the replies!

it doesnt look like the pitting on the edge goes to deep, but i am new to this, so its tough to tell. I will try the 0000 steel wool and go from there. any suggestion on metal polish? i have some bar keepers friend, which i use to keep my stainless steel pots and pans looking nice and new, would that work?

anyways, hopefully the blade doesnt turn out to be a dude, but at 15 bucks, even if it does turn out to be warped, i will atleast get alot of good practice strokes on my naniwas. thanks again!

james

J,
I'm not familiar with the bar keepers friend. If its just a metal polish it might be fine. If its abrasive like a pot scrubber, probably questionable. I use Mother's Aluminum Wheel polish. You can get it at many auto parts stores, not sure about WalMart, etc.. Others also use Maas. Good Luck with it, I hope it works out great!!

Regards,
Howard

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

J,
I'm not familiar with the bar keepers friend. If its just a metal polish it might be fine. If its abrasive like a pot scrubber, probably questionable. I use Mother's Aluminum Wheel polish. You can get it at many auto parts stores, not sure about WalMart, etc.. Others also use Maas. Good Luck with it, I hope it works out great!!

Regards,
Howard

+1 with Mother's and Maas...I have both, but I like Mother's a little better. Pretty much any ACE in Chicago will have what you are looking for.