Thread: 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

Originally Posted by youngsmoke

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

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!

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.

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.

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