Thread: New here, help school a noob. (With pictures!)

Hello All,

My name is Ryan. I'm new to SRP. I'm 26 and I love; cars, firearms, technology, beautiful women, and of course a good shave.

The back story: I work in a technology based environment with a bunch of 20 somethings. The kind that sit at their computers all day and have never touched a woman, you know the type. It didn't surprise me to find out that almost none of them have never used a razor that wasn't electric. Anyway, finding this out got me talking with another co-worker about how cool it would be to go back to using straight razors to shave daily. Something about it just seems very nostalgic, more of an art if you will. We both discussed and agreed we should buy a couple straight razors and learn how to properly shave with them. Fast forward to today.

My grand father is 91 years old. Recentley, he lost his wife of 70 years and he himself has taken quite ill. I went to his house today to checkup on him. My birthday was a few days ago, but despite his age he is as sharp as a tack. He insisted on giving me money for my birthday which I have refused for some years now, I hate being given gifts.

Now you have to understand, my grandpa is what I would call a hard@$$. He doesn't take any crap from anyone and he isn't much of a talker. My whole time growing up the only thing he would discuss was his garden and the weather. But now that he has taken ill, he has been talking a lot and about pretty much everything. So when the topic of my birthday came up he insisted I take a gift.

His story goes that while he was in the service (Germany) his father passed away. When he finally arrived home everyone in the family had taken any valuables his father had amassed, the only thing left was a sealed can of mixed nuts (which he still has) and this straight razor. These were the only two possessions he had to remember his father by. It has sat in his basement in a tea-cup for 30+ years. Seeing how he is no longer able to walk, he best explained where it was and how to find it. After about an hour of searching I came across the old tea-cup he said it would be in. Needless to say, I was a little bit taken back when he insisted I take it for my birthday.

Here is where you come in: I know absolutely nothing about straight razors. Here is what I've been able to piece together. Its a thistle-cut co razor. It came in a Boker box, which from the trade mark seems to date in the 1869-1900 era. Besides that, I know nothing. I would like the know the age range of the razor and a little history about the thistle company, as I haven't been able to turn up much. Boker, on the other hand, seems to have tons of information out there. I don't care about the monetary value of the razor. Preferably I would like to restore the razor if possible. I plan on cruising the forum here and reading a little more information about the straight razor world. Thank you for reading. Below are some pictures I have taken.

I haven't attempted to clean the blade yet, but from what I can see it says Damascus blade and had a picture of a camel on it. The tail has "1525" engraved on it.

CLIFFS: New guy. Grandpa gave me a razor. I want to know more about it. Pics below.

Welcome to SRP. Awesome story.

That is great that you have a family heirloom to use. If I were you I would send that one out to be restored by someone who knows what they are doing or restore a few antique store razors until you figure things out. There are a bunch of great guys here that do amazing work.

Good luck!

Yeah, when I first saw that slab of text I thought "Ohhhhh Nooooooo" but when I actually started reading I read until the end. Nice, well written story. What does CLIFFS stand for? Some sort of young-un lingo I'm sure about skipping the intro.

The story was a little like the pocket watch story from Pulp Fiction, do you know that? Well, maybe not, but it reminded me of that :-)

I've got no idea about dating razors and info on them (sorry), but I do know you need to get it re-furbished by someone who knows what they are doing (close to you if possible, you don't want a treasured heirloom like that being sent all over the world).

I like the little cut out bits on the spine; at first I didn't realise they were meant to be there; they seem quite 'basic' (in regards to spine work). However, I must say I actually don't like the scales (handles). It would be a real pity to replace them (as your Great Grandfather held it in his hand each day (week?) to shave), but they're not my cup of tea.

I've just started these last three months on the straight razor journey, but one thing I'd REALLY like would be a heirloom razor; that is really very, very cool and very, very unique. The number of guys who could say they shave with their Great Grandfather's straight razor would be quite small, I'd say, esp in the Western World...I think you're very lucky to have this, complete with a pretty cool story...

Welcome and that is a hell of a story.

I am going to jump on the "get it restored" by somebody as well. There are a lot of great restorers here and unless you have logged a lot of restoration hours, you don't want your first to be your family heirloom. My personal choice would be Glen (gssixgun). I have restored quite a number of razors not, but I still go to a more experienced person when the razor is out of my skill level and there is a chance that I will damage a valuable piece of history.

Good luck.

Alembic

XryanX,
Welcome to SRP. Great story about your grandfather. When I first saw the razor, I was taken aback when I saw those notches in spine, but after scrolling down and seeing more, then I realized the razor was made that way. I let out a sigh of relief for you.
I agree with the other members, get it restored. It looks to me that it will make a great shaver for you.
Again welcome and all my best on your razor.
Patrick

Welcome to SRP!! Wonderful story and a magnificent first post. You told an interesting story, posted Cliff notes, and you posted pics. Well done,sir.

Oh yeah.....send it to an experience restorer. Personally, I would do so with the instructions that I wanted the minimum necessary done to the blade. I appreciate the history of vintage razors, and I'd want to save some of the 'character'. JMHO

+1 to getting it restored. it's an heirloom, to you it will be priceless, it deserves professional attention.

Great story! and welcome to the forum

Cheers

Simon

Welcome to SRP, Ryan.
What a lovely razor and also a fantastic story.
It needs all the love you can give it.
I only wish I could have got hold of my forfathers razors.
I am really pleased for you that your Grandfather was able to give it to you pesonally.
If possible get him to tell you it's history.
Have it restored and show him how much you care for both it and him.
BTW hang on and enjoy the ride.

Ryan,
Welcome to SRP! Great story, and thanks for sharing!

Several thoughts for you to consider:

The "sages" of razor history tend to hang out in the "razors" forum, where most of the ID questions are placed. You might consider posting your pics in a thread there asking for info...more traffic = better response.

The scales appear to be faux bamboo, and they're a love 'em or hate 'em kind of thing. But, even though I'm not a fan of bamboo or faux bamboo scales, if they were on my great grandfather's razor I'd leave them there!

The blade is in very good shape for sitting in a basement forever. Usually basements are so damp they foster so much rust that the blade disintegrates. You're very blessed. It also appears from your pics that the Thistle blade is a USA blade. There were several small companies and one or two larger ones that made USA Steel razors. I have a few and they're top notch shavers. I'm sure this one will be too, once...

You have it restored by one of the guys here. In the classifieds section click on "member services" and you'll find a list of guys who do restoration work. Then click on the member map under the under the community link (menu above) and you can find the restoration guys that are closest to you...there may be one next door, or just a few minutes away depending on where you're located.

Lastly, please consider posting your pictures and your story to the Family Jewels razor club thread here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ly-jewels.html It's a great story you've got, and a fantastic razor.

Peace,
Jim