Thread: My First Straight Edge

Not too long I started shaving with a Dovo Shavette. I liked it but since I've been using a Merker safety razor for quite some time now and the shavette was using the same blades I did not find that much difference in the closeness of the shave...however it allow to get used to the completely different manor shaving with a different style of razor. I.E. the straight edge style.
Last week I aquired my grand father's straight edge and I have a few questions;



1) The box is blue with gold lettering and says FRAM on it. However no where on the straight edge does it say FRAM. It does say SOLINGEN and on tang it says BEST SILVER STEEL - SOLINGEN.
* So is it a FRAM ? How old would it be? 1930's 1940's? Being my grand father's, that era fits.
2) I would like to use it but I know absolutely nothing on high to make it shiney and sharp again and ready to shave my face with it.

I've been looking in my area for someone to do just that...So far only found 1 place and I would have to mail them the razor. Two week turn around.
I would do it myself if I was actually with someone who could show me how to do it. I live in the Toronto area (Canada)
If anyone has ANY suggestions, please let me know

Frank

Hi and welcome to SRP. Don't know if they are in Toronto or not but the classic edge is well known for restoration and honing and more than a few of the Canadian and international guys use their services. Up the top of the page go into community and do a member search for local guys and you might find some help locally. just had a look and Phrank is in Toronto. Try sending him a pm. Good luck

Morning and welcome to the forum. A lot of times the box you get a razor in is not the original box but as this is your Grandfathers razor there is a possibility that the box is original and that the razor was made by FRAM. There really is no way to be absolutely sure as FRAM is not stamped on the razor itself. Made in Solingen of Best Silver Steel would indicate a quality razor which makers in Solingen were noted. You could be correct on the dating of the razor but again dating exactly a razors age is difficult. They were not serial numbered.

As it is your Grandfather's razor and your first I would not recommend that you clean it up and sharpen/hone it as your first razor project. There is plenty of info on this site that will help you do both when you are ready on a project razor that is not an heirloom. If you mess a cheap project razor up no biggie, doing that to an heirloom razor would hurt.

There are quite a few members in the TO area that may respond to your post. One in particular, Phrank, has all his restoration work done in the TO area and should be able to supply you with the info on his restorer.

You have a quality razor that appears to need very little work to clean up and hone to shave ready. It looks to be used little as there appears to be very little hone wear on the spine. It also has a French point which you don't see as often and is very good for a beginner to use. Do yourself a favour and have that nice heirloom razor restored by a pro and then enjoy it. You are lucky to have an heirloom razor to enjoy and treasure.

Bob

Welcome to the forum....I'm in the Toronto area, East end, if you have any questions, let me know, be glad to help.

If you want, send me a PM with any questions you have....

Welcome to SRP, Frank! You're lucky to have such a nice, heirloom razor. Good luck getting her honed up!

Nice looking razor! The blade appears to be in excellent condition, and I love French/Irish points! And it's an heirloom to boot; WIN!

Please take BobH's advice, and send your razor off to someone who can give the attention that it deserves...trust me, you won't regret it. And phrank has already stepped up, so go for it!

One question: in your last photo, it appears that the back scale (handle) is broken; it's there any other damage?

If you have facebook look up The Gentlemans Den. Val runs that business and I believe he is in Toronto if you prefer a face to face meet up. There is gonna be some kind of wait anywhere you go. With straight shaving becoming more and more popular the few companies that deal with them usually have a good amount of business

No no...it's not broken at all....It's all intact. What you see is a small bulldog clip that I used to prop the blad up for the photo.

Originally Posted by dexter90723

If you have facebook look up The Gentlemans Den. Val runs that business and I believe he is in Toronto if you prefer a face to face meet up. There is gonna be some kind of wait anywhere you go. With straight shaving becoming more and more popular the few companies that deal with them usually have a good amount of business

Yes, Val is the man, he was the one I was going to suggest...he has done all my razors, restores, honing, everything...I will send you his email address...awesome guy and incredibly knowledgeable about all aspects of this fine hobby.

Hi Frank,

You've got a great looking razor, there.
Being a heirloom is a bonus.

If you'd like, please send me an Email and I can talk about this restoration project.
I am located in Vaughan, which is just the North of Toronto.
I'd be more than happy to help, and think that I can do this razor a good justice.

My Email seems to have been already provided by a couple of good folks that I worked with, already.
In case that you missed their PMs or whatnot, here is where I can be reached: [email protected]

Kindest regards,

Val.

Originally Posted by hwystar

Not too long I started shaving with a Dovo Shavette. I liked it but since I've been using a Merker safety razor for quite some time now and the shavette was using the same blades I did not find that much difference in the closeness of the shave...however it allow to get used to the completely different manor shaving with a different style of razor. I.E. the straight edge style.
Last week I aquired my grand father's straight edge and I have a few questions;



1) The box is blue with gold lettering and says FRAM on it. However no where on the straight edge does it say FRAM. It does say SOLINGEN and on tang it says BEST SILVER STEEL - SOLINGEN.
* So is it a FRAM ? How old would it be? 1930's 1940's? Being my grand father's, that era fits.
2) I would like to use it but I know absolutely nothing on high to make it shiney and sharp again and ready to shave my face with it.

I've been looking in my area for someone to do just that...So far only found 1 place and I would have to mail them the razor. Two week turn around.
I would do it myself if I was actually with someone who could show me how to do it. I live in the Toronto area (Canada)
If anyone has ANY suggestions, please let me know

Frank