Thread: A couple of questions and family heirloom razor.

Originally Posted by TeHokioi

First of all nice to meet you all, I'm not sure if everything belongs in this subforum since there seems to be a lot of specific ones and I assume spamming by making several small posts is frowned upon.

My name is Emile, I'm 20 and from Belgium. Using a straight razor has been something I wanted to be able to do for about a year now. Although there isn't exactly that much hair to shave. Only about 3 every cm^2 on cheeks/neck , but I do have this weird 'condition' of having multiple hairs growing from 1 follicle in random directions. At the moment I mostly use a Gillette which I can use dry without getting razorburns.

I read some of the guides for beginners and plan on buying one or 2 razors and a strop from the classifieds, but since I have no real knowledge about difference between 2 razors or strops I would like some help. Some criteria:
- I would like to be able to order all 2/3 from the same seller if possible due to shipping costs.
- I was thinking about around 200 euro / 280$ max although it doesn't need to be that expensive.
- Razor should be honed.

Currently I've got some wilkinson shaving soap and a brush (quite long hairs) and definitely not badger, is that good enough?


The Heirloom
This morning I visited my grandparents and mentioned them that I was going to order a straight razor, to which my grandma instantly started reminiscing about the old days and she remembered that they had an old razor in the attic. I did a quick search on the brand (Kosmos on the box and Tilquin on the razor) and wasn't able to find a reference on the forum so I thought you might get a kick out of it and maybe give me some information. I was also wondering what the other item was? The razor belonged to my great grandfather so I think that would be about 50-80 years old? There seem to be some rust stains on it, any way I could restore it to it's old glory?
I used it on my arm, is it possible that it is still shave ready?
And what is the strange comb like thing?
Pictures here: imgur | Otzicow's Photo Albums


Greetings, Emile.
And sorry for the wall of text.

Welcome to SRP!

I can tell you that if you want to do anything to the heirloom, contact one of the restoration people in the classifieds section. Make sure you mention that it's an heirloom when you contact them because I don't think everyone in there works on heirloom razors. I know that Glen does and he fixed up my great-grandfather's razor.

We have a few members in your region to suggest EU places to purchase equipment.

Welcome to SRP first off

For some help locally and where to get stuff near you,,, you really should say hello in this part of the forum too

BeNeLux Area - Straight Razor Place Forums

Thanks everybody so far, restoration does seem the way to go although I'm not 100% comfortable with sending it away but I'll just have to take that risk.

For some help locally and where to get stuff near you,,, you really should say hello in this part of the forum too

Consider that done.

Would anybody have any more information on the attachement thing or the brand since I can't find it in the good list nor in the avoid list .

Originally Posted by TeHokioi

Thanks everybody so far, restoration does seem the way to go although I'm not 100% comfortable with sending it away but I'll just have to take that risk.

Consider that done.

Would anybody have any more information on the attachement thing or the brand since I can't find it in the good list nor in the avoid list .

I can assure you that if you send it to someone on this site, it will be in good hands. It's definitely safer than trying to clean it up and sharpen it yourself just starting out. I hope Glen doesn't mind my continuous recommendations for heirlooms, but here are a few of his:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...m-restore.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...m-restore.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...olivewood.html

The scales (handles) on your razor look to be in good shape so my amateur opinion would be that those would remain, unless you want otherwise.

As to the brand, I'd say that it's a quality blade as most vintages are. I only found one mention of it here but someone over on B&B had a picture of theirs:

N°6 Tilquin

Although I am good with the recommendations, and would love the work, I think I should mention my good friend Max/Maximilian who is one of the other top restorers on here, and who also does heirlooms, also happens to be Belgian so at least say hello to him too...

Welcome to SRP. Nice razor. + 1 to gssixgun's advice. Since you are in Belgium you may be near Bart. He has a website here where you can easily contact him.

Looks like a nice razor, and it should clean up nicely

+1 to Glen or Max. They both do top notch work and you couldn't find better people to bring your heirloom back to life

Congrats!

I checked out the site and once I get going with the shaving I'll definitely make use of that free honing , but unless I am missing something honing is the only service they provide no?