Hello, and any thoughts on this razor

Hi, I'm new to the forum and straight razors in general. I've wet-shaved with a double edge razor for the last few years with great results. I was at an estate sale yesterday and picked up this Beau Brummel razor. The man was a barber and they had many straight razors but this one looked like it was in the best condition of the lot. It's made in Solingen, which I understand means typical quality for a used razor. Can anyone tell me anything else about this? Quality and collectibility for this brand, approximate origination date?

What do the scales look like they are made of (bakelite?)? I was going to take it into a local knife sharpening place to have it honed, and once I feel like I've got the hang of using a straight razor, send it off somewhere to get it polished and possibly re-scaled. There is some rust on the blade which you can see in the photos.

Look forward to reading through the forums and asking questions as I try to learn to love using a straight razor.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/...a68592c5_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/...fc1ce7ca_b.jpg

Welcome. Very so sweet piece you got there. Scales are in pretty good condition, so perhaps they don't need to be replaced, just cleaned up. Usually blades are honed after restoration.

Get that honed by a pro that does specifically razors - nowdays local knife sharpeners don't know how to sharpen those things and might wreck your blade (whatever they say). Probably there are exceptions to this though, but you're better of using someone who has a track record of getting razors sharp. See services in classifieds and the business' advertising here.

The Beginner's guide in the Wiki is a great place to start (see the buttons in the top of the screen.

I agree, don't get it honed from a knife sharpener! Most don't know the angle to use when honing a razor. The scales do look good. I think you could probably clean that razor up with some 1000 - 2000 grit sand paper from checkers auto parts...Then clean the scales with an old tooth brush and dish soap. After that, take some gun stock varnish (or whatever your flavor) and wipe it down to bring out the colors. Looks like a good shaver though..Welcome to the club.

+++1 on the previous posts...You have an excellent vintage razor there. Don't take it to a knife sharpener to get it honed. I wouldn't even get the scales replaced. They can probably be restored along with the blade.

Check the SRP "Classifieds." There ought to be a str8 razor restorer, such as Maximilian, who would be more than happy to hone and restore your find to its former pristine beauty.

BTW...That's a beautiful razor. In fact, if you follow this link you will see what it would look like completely restored.

Vintage Blades LLC::Vintage Straight Razors::German Made::Beau Brummel - No. 35 - Solingen, Germany - c. 1960 ***Shave Ready***

Take care--and smooth shaving...

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Originally Posted by jhenry

+++1 on the previous posts...You have an excellent vintage razor there. Don't take it to a knife sharpener to get it honed. I wouldn't even get the scales replaced. They can probably be restored along with the blade.

Check the SRP "Classifieds." There ought to be a str8 razor restorer, such as Maximilian, who would be more than happy to hone and restore your find to its former pristine beauty.

BTW...That's a beautiful razor. In fact, if you follow this link you will see what it would look like completely restored.

Vintage Blades LLC*::*Vintage Straight Razors*::*German Made*::*Beau Brummel - No. 35 - Solingen, Germany - c. 1960 ***Shave Ready***

Take care--and smooth shaving...

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Wow, that sure does look nice!!! I was considering having it re-scaled for the aesthetic purposes of choosing something I might like even more (although I do admit these scales look very nice). I'll look into sending this off to be restored, I was going to hold off until I knew how it worked out for me, but I suppose if I just can't get the hang of a straight razor I can resell it.

Welcome to SRP. Brummels are real good shavers IME. As the previous posters have said, get it honed by a sure enough razor honer and check out the SRP Wiki. :gl:

If you do get your Beau Brummel restored, consider changing as little as possible. Try to keep the original scales, if possible. They look like they are in pretty good condition and just need to be cleaned up.

Replacing the scales would probably lower its value for a collector.

Just my 2 cents...

yeah nice razors from the same guys who sold the dublducks.
unfortunately the edge on this one is gone, but it's not likely to have serious problems, even though you can't tell from these pictures.

If I did have it rescaled, I would have the original scaled saved, if not restored as well. I'm not too concerned with it's collector's value, but I would save the original scales regardless.

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Originally Posted by gugi

yeah nice razors from the same guys who sold the dublducks.
unfortunately the edge on this one is gone, but it's not likely to have serious problems, even though you can't tell from these pictures.

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Why do you say the edge is gone, because of the rust visible in the photos? I would imagine that could be taken off with a polishing, and it could be honed back to a good edge. It's impossible to see from the photos, but I can see the honed edge (however dull it may be right now) and the rust does not go up to the actual edge.

Well, it's up to you what you want to do with it. Just let me mention that there's no shortage of razors with bland or broken scales floating around. You might consider putting pretty scales to one of those and keep that brummel original, since its in great shape.

Concur with everyone else here. Scales can be cleaned. Don't know what kind of shape the pins are in. There appears to be little hone wear on the shoulders so you are in good shape there. By all means send it out to one of our honemeisters. With a few exceptions people who sharpen knives don't know squat about honing razors. Different techniques and different edges are required. Sweet looking razor... :beer1:

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Originally Posted by ursus

Well, it's up to you what you want to do with it. Just let me mention that there's no shortage of razors with bland or broken scales floating around. You might consider putting pretty scales to one of those and keep that brummel original, since its in great shape.

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That's a very good point, which I'll seriously consider. I do NOT want to become obsessed with collecting straight razors by any means though. I feel if I start buying multiple razors and getting them restored or restoring them myself that I will go down that dark and expensive path. No offense intended towards any collectors, they are beautiful :)

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Originally Posted by nausea

That'sa very good point, which I'll seriously consider. I do NOT want to become obsessed with collecting straight razors by any means though. I feel if I start buying multiple razors and getting them restored or restoring them myself that I will go down that dark and expensive path. No offense intended towards any collectors, they are beautiful :)

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Good luck with that. :gl: