Thread: Hi all

This is my first time time posting here. I just joined SRP the other day. I have been reading your stuff for awhile now. So let me interduce myself to you all. I'm a retired disabled veteran who has been thinking about getting into straight razor for a long time now. I have been wanting to start a new hobby and since I love steel, old things, and there is nothing better in the world then a good close shave. I'm not very much of a fan of new things or newer ways of doing things. The way a straight razor feels in my hand is just so awesome. I got my 1st straight razor for my birthday last year; it was a Kriegar. After spending nearly 5 months trying get an edge on it and watching every video on how to sharpen a razor, I started to wonder if the problem was the razor and not me. I looked for some reviews on Kriegar and found some on this web site. I found out that it was the razor and not me so thanks for the info. Now I have been looking in yard sale for some razors found 2. The 1st was a pre 1932 Geneva and the 2nd was a Wade & Butcher stamped (Extra Hollow Ground). I picked these up at a yard sale for $5.00 for both of them. I have been trying to restore them. By the way, love the videos on here about how to restore a straight razor. I have uploaded some pictures of the razors I bought. The black one is the Geneva and the yellow one is the wade & butcher. Now that I have introduced myself I have a question for who ever reads this. I was looking in an antique store today and found a razor marked "C.F. Schwartz & CO." on one side and the other was stamped "84 manganese steel" they wanted $20 for it. I can't find much info about it online. If anyone has any information that would be great. The last two pictures are of the one I found at the store. Thanks for the help!

Hi Sassy38053,
Welcome to SRP and let the addiction begin...hahaha.
I can't help with the razor, however there is, in the WIKI an extensive list of manufacturers etc. that you may find interesting/informative.
I like the look of the razors that you are intending to restore.
I've done a couple myself and found it very rewarding.
My suggestion would be that you, perhaps, purchase one of the restored ones from one of the vendors here so that you have something to compare your work with (especially when it comes to honing) or send yours to one of the honemeisters here, after you clean them up, to ensure you have a baseline.
Sorry about the longwinded reply.
Most importantly - enjoy the ride.
Cheers from Australia,
Geoff

Welcome. From what you've had to say about yourself, I suspect you'll really enjoy straight razors. From what I can see in those pictures, it looks like both of those razors should clean up nicely and take a great edge. Be aware that as long as there is no 'active' rust, cleaning them up is optional. I've got a few "old uglies" that give a beautiful shave.

One piece of advice: find someone on your side of the globe who can hone one of those up properly. That will give you a benchmark to aim for with your own honing, and make it easier to get started.

Thosea are "gooder" man! Welcome home. And i don't mean from the service. I mean "SRP"...It is a place where gentlemen can put aside all political and cultural issues for nothing more than a decent conversation and a friendly cup of virtual coffee.... And, i would thank you for your service, but being a 90% retired Airborne Ranger Sniper from the land of the Light.... i always make it a habit whenever people thank me too say: " No, thank you"... the Army gave me a four year degree, a MBA, and a great adventurous
career that trained for a job most people from my home town can only dream of..I married a former T.V. Anchor woman and have five beautiful children... All thanks to the American taxpayor...All i had to do is show up to work and stayalive...So, thank you (for paying your taxes) and allowing me to serve you!