Thread: Antique store razor find

Here are two Straight razors I picked up at an antique store for $11 each. After doing some research, I think I did pretty well. Now I just need to figure out how to clean them up and find out how much it’ll be to restore them.

I have searched the Forum and the Wiki and I must be missing something. I want to know how to clean the scales and the blade and remove the rust. About the only thing I can find is how to sterilize the blade. Is there something good I can soak the whole thing in?

Also I’m quite sure that these will require more TLC than I can provide, but I don’t want it to cost me a fortune, that’s why I went to the antique store in the first place. The blades seem in good shape, just need to make sure they get re-honed and are shave ready.

The first one is a Curtin & Clark. I measured it to be 5/8”. I think the biggest thing wrong with this one is the scales are warped a little, but still functional.

On the front of the tang:
Curtin & Clark
Cutlery Co
St. Joseph, MO




The second one is a #1 Hess. I measured it to be 11/16”. The biggest issues with this one are the rust on the back of the blade, and a minor crack, across the corner, on the end of one of the scales (near the tang). Is this scale pattern what they call cracked ice?







On the back of the tang:
Hess Hair Milk Laboratory
St. Paul Minn.
Solingen, Made in Germany

What else can you tell me about them? Any idea how old they are? What are they worth? How much would it be to get them restored?

Nice score! We cant provide valuations on the site as it is against the rules, but they look to be in good condition and $11 each is a great price to pay for them.

I'd have a look in the members services area of the classifieds to find a restoration guy to send them to. Off the top of my head Glen (gssixgun), Max (Maximillian) and Brad (Undream) all do restoration work, and everything I've seen of theirs looks great..! You can have a search through the workshop forums to see examples of their, and others, work. These guys will be able to quote you restoration prices if you contact them direct.

You cant soak the razors whole (with scales attached, as the cleaner can damage the scales) to clean them, though you can soak the blades alone. A lot of people use MAAS polish to clean them up. MAAS wont remove pitting or major rust though, that usually requires hand sanding. The restoration guru's usually use a variety of polishing compounds and a buffer to get that mirror finish.

The best thing to do if you dont want to tackle the job yourself would be to speak to one of the resto guys.

Let us know how you get on!

Both are nice razors and should clean up quite nicely.

Marc

there are a lot of good things you can soak your razors in, but the way to remove the rust is mechanically - sandpaper of progressively finer grits.
take a look at the section called workshop

and here are the relevant sections of the wiki

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...de_Restoration
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...straight_razor
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...anding_a_blade

With removing rust it also depends on how thorough you want to be. If I get one like that Hess the first thing I try is 0000 steel wool with a light oil on it. It will take off the surface stuff and won't scratch the blade. Then maybe a high grit wet & dry sandpaper (wet) to get whatever else I can. This method will not get it all and will leave discoloration but is a lot less work than a full refinish. Depends on the blade and on how much discoloration you want to tolerate. Nice score on those two.

nice razors
looks like they can be claened up very nice

Very nice grab Vez. You can't beat the price. I have been looking for a Hess, better send that one to me for closer inspection. I have found some of the Hess Hair Milk, and HH hair tonic. No razors though. Good score. The HH Hair tonic has a nice scent very nostalgic.

Hey neighbor! (Modine)

Thanks guys, I'll look into the restoration folks on the site. I feel I have two pretty good razors here and I'd love to see them at their full potential. I love the fact that the one I have is from Missouri (yet I found it in New Mexico). I will try the steel wool thing and see what I can do with that.