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?