Thread: A family heirloom

For some background I have never used a straight razor in my life, and I recently was talking with my father about straight razors and upon finding out about my interest he send me my late grandfather's in the mail. If I can get this razor back to it's old glory I would very much like to use it. It is an ERN square point and is stamped with the number 2305 (not sure if this is a model or serial number). The blade is in great condition for something from the 1940's and that has not been used in at least 23 years, it has a little patina but nothing serious. The blade is sharp, though is not able to split a hair that I pass perpendicular to the cutting edge. Though a soft brushing of the edge along my finger produces a nice singing sounds. I am wondering, how do I know if the blade is sharp enough to just need some work on a strop (coming to me in the mail shortly), or if it needs to get honed by some sort of expert? Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

I would just send it to be honed so you can totally eliminate that as a possibility of problems. Learning to shave on a straight razor is tough enough with a sharp blade let alone one that is questionable.

Just my 2 cents.

+1 on above -I would gather your other essentials-soap,brush,pre/post shave balms etc while your razor is being honed,
Do your homework by reading articles on the wiki for beginners.
Your journey starts here!
Welcome to SRP and happy shaving.
regards
Noggs

Originally Posted by TheMathematician

I am wondering, how do I know if the blade is sharp enough to just need some work on a strop (coming to me in the mail shortly), or if it needs to get honed by some sort of expert? Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

There are various shave/sharpness tests described in the wiki which should be usefull. Comparison to a DE blade can help, as can examining the edge under magnification. +1 on the earlier advice. To really get to know shave sharp it is highly beneficial to possess a razor that is a certain in that regard. So you may need to consider getting it honed by a member here or purchase a shave ready razor from the classifieds on this very forum. If I was you I would do both. Good luck

Mykel

Thank you all for your responses up until now. I have a shave ready blade on the way (i.e. still in the mail) that I will be able to compare to. So with the ability to compare blades is there anyway to determine if a hone is required or not?

By the way I do have a stop, brush, soap, and syptic stick on the way. I have been reading all sorts of things on SRP and look forward to my journey of getting proficient with using, upkeeping, and possibly restoring straight razors in the near future.

Just for the record, ERN razors are considered to be excellent shavers. having a square point myself, I can confirm that statement. In addition to that, my ERN is extremely easy to hone. Mine is also an ultra hollow razor that produces a singing sound when stropped. It makes a nice velcro-like sound as it mows whiskers down. As mentioned, it is always recommended that your first razor is honed by a pro. You can find these guys in the classifieds under member services. Being a heirloom and having incredible sentimental value, I would go for that option for now but if yours is as easy to hone as mine, and assuming that it does not have any other problems besides being dull (i. e. excessive hone wear, imperfect spine, or edge problem like frowns or smiles), you should be able to keep it in good shape yourself as soon as you get your hones, that is, if you desire to go that route. It is always good to start off with a good reliable razor!

Al raz.

Originally Posted by TheMathematician

For some background I have never used a straight razor in my life, and I recently was talking with my father about straight razors and upon finding out about my interest he send me my late grandfather's in the mail. If I can get this razor back to it's old glory I would very much like to use it. It is an ERN square point and is stamped with the number 2305 (not sure if this is a model or serial number). The blade is in great condition for something from the 1940's and that has not been used in at least 23 years, it has a little patina but nothing serious. The blade is sharp, though is not able to split a hair that I pass perpendicular to the cutting edge. Though a soft brushing of the edge along my finger produces a nice singing sounds. I am wondering, how do I know if the blade is sharp enough to just need some work on a strop (coming to me in the mail shortly), or if it needs to get honed by some sort of expert? Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by Alraz

... you should be able to keep it in good shape yourself as soon as you get your hones, that is, if you desire to go that route....
Al raz.

In fact I do hope to go that route, but what I might do is enjoy the shave ready razor that I purchased, then go buy some not so shave ready blades and practice both sharpening, polishing, and generally restoring them. Once, I believe myself to be proficient move on to working on the family heirloom. To be honest, the blade has gone unused for at least 23 years, so making it wait even another year will be ok (especially as I have put a thin coat of mineral oil on the blade to keep it in good condition, a tip I picked up here on SRP).

As the exact year of a blade could be hard to determine due to no date stamped on the blade or scales I have the luxury of knowing some of the history of this blade. It was most likely purchased (new or used is not known) in Italy in 1946 by my grandfather when he was leaving Europe for Israel. But my father tells me that as a small child (late 40's-early 50's) he remembers watching my grandfather sharpen it on his strop daily before his shaves. I have never met my grandfather from my father's side of the family as he passed away before I was born. So being able to bring his blade back to its original shine and sharpness, then be able to use it myself will be a nice link into my past.

Treasure that razor, and treat it well. Its a gift some of us would give almost anything to posses.
That said, you will know if that blade is shave ready once you have the new one to compare it to. the hanging hair tests really dont mean much IMO. My reasoning is simple. my hair wont work!
I have tried multiple times and I never could get a blade sharp enough. I always thought it was me. Until I recieved a pro honed blade from a top honer, and it STILL wont cut my hair!
So dont worry about that facet of things. I;m sure you will get more milage out of the Wiki on honing here in the forums, where you can learn some of the other tests you can do.
Stay Straight and

Being new to str8 razor shaving myself all I will say is good luck to you, sir. The journey to new discoveries is the best part. Discovering new shaving products, shave techniques, hone skills to keep them in tip top condition, etc., are just a few of the things this hobby will present to you.

I love wet shaving now. You will too. I look forward to each and every experience - and especially look forward to a different looking razor each day of the week. It's great!

Take good care of that heirloom, too!

ENJOY - and "welcome" to SRP!

~Phil

Pretty Cool to have your granddad's straight razor. Let a pro get it back to great shaving shape for you and there are many on the SRP classifieds. Its always cool to share a photo of it too.

I have a little man and look forward the day I can teach him the Art of Straight Shaving and hopefully he will pass it on to his boys, if he has any.

Thanks for sharing and welcome to straight shaving!

Pabster