Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    8
    Thanked: 0

    Red face quality of my blades?

    Hey all,
    New to the forum, hoping you can help guide me. I decided to try straight shaving about 10 years ago, and to that end bought 3 straight razors off ebay. I didn't do enough research before i started and assumed that because the blade was sharp that I was good to go. Tried to shave and ended up with a decent cut on my cheek. after that I gave it up for a long time. recently a friend started shaving with a safety razor and that has me thinking about my old straight razors again. While doing some research on this site I have discovered that one is probably junk (stamped made in Pakistan) but I am not sure about the other 2. I was hoping for an opinion from someone with more knowledge than me on whether either of these blades are worth having honed or if I should just but a new/new to me blade?

    One blade (the wood scales) is stamped W. H. morley and sons; clover brand; Germany
    the other (the black scales) is stamped North and then has a star emblem. on the other side it says made in germany for...(a guys name and st. paul minn)

    Anyone know anything about either of these companies? I looked at the database and didn't find much. The other question is there is a small chip in the rounded tip of the wooden scaled blade. is this something that can be repaired? (see pics below) should I even worry about it?
    thanks for the help
    Ari
    Attached Images Attached Images    

  2. #2
    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Idaho Redoubt
    Posts
    26,948
    Thanked: 13221
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by youngsmoke View Post
    Hey all,
    New to the forum, hoping you can help guide me. I decided to try straight shaving about 10 years ago, and to that end bought 3 straight razors off ebay. I didn't do enough research before i started and assumed that because the blade was sharp that I was good to go. Tried to shave and ended up with a decent cut on my cheek. after that I gave it up for a long time. recently a friend started shaving with a safety razor and that has me thinking about my old straight razors again. While doing some research on this site I have discovered that one is probably junk (stamped made in Pakistan) but I am not sure about the other 2. I was hoping for an opinion from someone with more knowledge than me on whether either of these blades are worth having honed or if I should just but a new/new to me blade?

    One blade (the wood scales) is stamped W. H. morley and sons; clover brand; Germany

    Morley "Clover" is a quality razor need a better look at the chippy in the toe though

    the other (the black scales) is stamped North and then has a star emblem. on the other side it says made in germany for...(a guys name and st. paul minn)

    Guys name is maybe Frank Hess?????

    Anyone know anything about either of these companies? I looked at the database and didn't find much. The other question is there is a small chip in the rounded tip of the wooden scaled blade. is this something that can be repaired? (see pics below) should I even worry about it?
    thanks for the help
    Ari
    Hope that helps some

  3. #3
    Hones/Honing/Master Barber avatar1999's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Waynesboro, PA
    Posts
    997
    Thanked: 199
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default

    Morley is a reputable name in razors. You will probably need to have someone grind that tip down to get rid of the chip (lots of good people in the Services section of the Classifieds.) In a lot of cases, that same person could hone it for you and get it shave ready at the same time.

    The North Star should be a good shaver as well (you're pretty safe with razors stamped made in Germany.)

    Good Luck, and if you get em cleaned/fixed up, I'm sure we'd love to see pics!

    Welcome to SRD!
    Last edited by avatar1999; 10-15-2009 at 01:10 AM.

  4. #4
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    8
    Thanked: 0

    Default

    Thanks for the advice. I was hoping that at least one of them would be worthwhile. I guess I better check the classifieds and find someone to hone them both for me.

    gssisxgun, actually the name on the tang is alfred j krank. I left it off because I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to post someone's name like that. I work in health care and they drive home privacy is key.

  5. #5
    Hones/Honing/Master Barber avatar1999's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Waynesboro, PA
    Posts
    997
    Thanked: 199
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default

    Glen (gssisxgun) does honing and restoration, and from what I hear from others and what I've seen of his work, he does a fantastic job!

    You might want to shoot him a PM and enquire about his services.

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to avatar1999 For This Useful Post:

    gssixgun (10-15-2009)

  7. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Falls Church, Virginia
    Posts
    1,101
    Thanked: 190

    Default

    If you want to start out on the best foot for straight shaving, buy a new straight razor from one of the vendors adverstising on SRP.

    Or give up the best condition straight you have to a restorer. Usually, I recommend buying new first, then taking up restorations later.

    All of your straights need some serious work and the professionals have the tools.

    Good Luck,

    Pabster

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •