Thread: Can these razors be fixed up and used?

I have "inherited" a couple blades. They seem to be in rough shape. I am wondering if it is worth it to get them restored, or if I should just look for an affordable "shave ready" blade in the classifieds here.

Any thoughts?



First blade:
**Griffon Cutlery Works Germany**
**Carbo Magnetic**
Handle seems to be slightly flimsy plastic.



Second Blade:
**Wade & Butcher Shefield England**

yes, they look promising. you want to get rid of the rust first. you could probably do it with just metal polish or even with oil like wd40 or 3in1 and some time, or you could do sandpaper (if the pits under the rust bother you, you'll have to start at say 80 grit wet/dry and work your way up, if not you can just do some high grit).
then the oxidized/rotten steel along the edge must be honed out until a clean bevel is established, and then hone it up. that's a job you want to give to somebody with experience in honing razors, otherwise you may be spending tens of hours in frustration, not to mention the need of acquiring the appropriate hones.

+1 or you may want to set them aside for the stage when you want to learn restoring? I've just started and am getting huge amounts of satisfaction from it

If those fine vintage razors were mine I would get some 0000 steel wool and some oil and rub the rust down. Some Semichrome, Maas or similar metal polish on a paper towel following the wool. I'd flatten a Q-tip with a hammer and go into the inside of the scales with scrubbing bubbles or something. Maybe a soft toothbrush too. If you don't know how to hone send them out to a pro from the SRP Classifieds in the tool bar above. Welcome to SRP.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

If those fine vintage razors were mine I would get some 0000 steel wool and some oil and rub the rust down. Some Semichrome, Maas or similar metal polish on a paper towel following the wool. I'd flatten a Q-tip with a hammer and go into the inside of the scales with scrubbing bubbles or something. Maybe a soft toothbrush too. If you don't know how to hone send them out to a pro from the SRP Classifieds in the tool bar above. Welcome to SRP.

I agree. I like to use pipe cleaner inside the scales, cheap and very slim; wet or dry, they will get next to the wedge and most other places. You can twist them together to make a thicker brush. A toothbrush with toothpaste is a winner for cleaning the top an bottom of the shank wile the razor is closed into the scales, and the toothpaste can be a great metal and plastic polish!. Do not lean on the closed blade because it can wedge the scales apart enough to break or split them.

Enjoy your self!!
Respectfully
~Richard

personally those 2 are much too nice to experiment on...... send them to one of the pros on here and when you get them back you will have 2 works of art you can use for your lifetime and pass along to your kids/grandkids etc...

my .02..

Thanks for all the responses. I think I agree with paco about having a professional restore them. I think I should wait until I have a better understanding of what I am looking at before I attempt to restore a razor myself.

How do I choose a person to do my restorations? I am new to the straight razor community and am therefore oblivious to reputations.

I am greatly anticipating my first shave(or series of partial shaves as seems to be recommended). The only thing I am missing is a strop.

Check out the Member Services section in the Classifieds. Any of the listings that do restorations will do an great job of fixing up your razors

You can also ask for a tidy up and hone service
in contrast to a full restore.

Both razors look promising and someone with the right tools
could buff off the rust and hone them up in short order
for only a bit more than just honing. A lot depends on how
busy the individual is.

The scales look very serviceable to me. For the most
part "shave ready" applies to the edge and little more.
For a shaver you do need to remove the rust and crud
for sanitary reasons and if needed tighten the scales a
little bit then hone to a good edge.

If you find a well honed blade in the Classified
and a decent strop for less than a restore. Consider that
as a first step.

Do see the beginner pages in the WiKi.
Straight Razor Place Wiki - Straight Razor Place Wiki
You will need more than just a shave ready razor when
all is said and done.

As "guigi" said... "they look promising." but there is no knowing
until they have been cleaned up and honed correctly. Cracks
and deep pits on the sharp edge can wreck a blade for shaving.

I don't have any new advice to offer. Just want to say I have a Carbo-Magnetic and it hones and shaves very very nicely.

That is a nice pair of razors. You're lucky to have inherited them. I hope they both work out for you.