Thread: Local honing

Hi everyone. I'm just getting into wet shaving and have picked up a straight razor at a local antiques shop. I am wondering if anyone knows someone who can hone and is local to me. I'm in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and don't mind shipping it out within Canada but I'd rather not have to deal with cross-border issues and - ideally - would really like to find someone I can actually see in person. I understand if that is not possible as well.

Thanks all and I've been enjoying the posts I've been reading. My razor is a "Crown and Sword" with ERN 1166 on one side of the handle. It's got zero pits and is fairly straight and I'm pretty sure would be capable of shaving. The scales are rough and the blade has quite a patina on it but I'm sure it can be brought back.

BTW, for any other newbie's wanting a lesson, the guy who sharpens knives and axes may not be able to sharpen a razor. That was a $7 lesson!

Originally Posted by chworby

Hi everyone. I'm just getting into wet shaving and have picked up a straight razor at a local antiques shop. I am wondering if anyone knows someone who can hone and is local to me. I'm in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and don't mind shipping it out within Canada but I'd rather not have to deal with cross-border issues and - ideally - would really like to find someone I can actually see in person. I understand if that is not possible as well.

Thanks all and I've been enjoying the posts I've been reading. My razor is a "Crown and Sword" with ERN 1166 on one side of the handle. It's got zero pits and is fairly straight and I'm pretty sure would be capable of shaving. The scales are rough and the blade has quite a patina on it but I'm sure it can be brought back.

BTW, for any other newbie's wanting a lesson, the guy who sharpens knives and axes may not be able to sharpen a razor. That was a $7 lesson!

For shipping it out, SRP member floppyshoes is listed under "Member Services" in the classifieds. Details can be found here:
Honing and Restoration Services (CANADA) - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Originally Posted by chworby

BTW, for any other newbie's wanting a lesson, the guy who sharpens knives and axes may not be able to sharpen a razor. That was a $7 lesson!

It could have been a much more expensive lesson. I've read of many horror stories of such sharpeners completely destroying razors.

I hope it was only a $7 lesson - I guess I'll know when someone who knows what they're looking for looks at it. I'd like to get into restoring and do this one but I think I'll buy a really cheap one that's in really rough shape and make all my mistakes there. Any thoughts on that? I don't have a wood/metal working background - do most of you have that or just an interest in razors?

Originally Posted by chworby

I hope it was only a $7 lesson - I guess I'll know when someone who knows what they're looking for looks at it. I'd like to get into restoring and do this one but I think I'll buy a really cheap one that's in really rough shape and make all my mistakes there. Any thoughts on that? I don't have a wood/metal working background - do most of you have that or just an interest in razors?

I think it depends on how far you want to go with a restore. I can clean up the blades pretty well with sandpaper (400- to 2000-grit) and have a basic honing set to sharpen razors, but I think I'm a ways off making the scales (handles). Check out "The Gallery" forum to look at some full restorations:
The Gallery - Straight Razor Place Forums

There's also an informative section in the wiki dedicated to repairs and restorations:
Category:Repair & Restoration - Straight Razor Place Wiki

If you were to post a photo of the blade and the scales members could more easily say whether your razor is worth the $ to salvage.

Here it is. There isn't much rust - if any - mostly just patina. I don't know what the scales are.

I've never 'forumed' before so I don't know how these pictures will turn out.

I think that is salvagable. I'd probably put new scales on it sooner, rather than later.

Yeah, I've read about scales and I am very far away from being able to do that. Would refinishing take out the 'crown and sword' etching? And who's a good person for a full restore? I kind of want to wait until I can do it myself but I may be waiting years for my first straight shave if I do.

Originally Posted by chworby

Yeah, I've read about scales and I am very far away from being able to do that. Would refinishing take out the 'crown and sword' etching? And who's a good person for a full restore? I kind of want to wait until I can do it myself but I may be waiting years for my first straight shave if I do.

A good polishing with Maas polish should have it looking really nice, if not quite brand new. It should not take out the etching.

You can buy plain plastic scales for not too much, and use the small nuts and machine screws instead of peening brass pins.

You need to post over in The Workshop forum to get some more detailed advice on the DIY re-scale.