Thread: Newbie with Great Grandpa's razor

I'm a newbie to the straight razor life, having only been using one for about 2 weeks.
Along with the razor I bought on amazon.com, I also have my Great Grandfather's Geo. Wostenholm & Son
"Peerless" razor that appears to be in really good shape. Good enough, in fact, that I think a good honing and stropping will make it a daily shaver. I don't want to send it off for a 'professional' sharpening, though, since from what I've seen on the net most places will not try to preserve the original inlaid gold lettering when they do their restoration.

Nabb, Bravo on 2 wks w/ a str8. That's not a small thing.

You've acquired a perspective on pro restoration that bears revisiting. If your only input is the net at large, your skepticism is well justified. OTOH, if your input is from a large group of guys that use one daily, your input will be much better qualified.

One nice example was an ancestor's blade from the honorable cudarunner, restored and scaled by gssixgun. http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...ered-horn.html I've shaved w/ this razor. I've honed this razor. I wouldn't want to do it again. Had it been mine, I would gladly do exactly as cudarunner did here.

I do resto for my own blades *only*. If, however, an ancestor's blade came to me needing attention, one of the pros here would be my only consideration. Here, we've seen years of examples of skilled guys bringing sad cases back to life. Some just neglected, some damaged by accident. Chances are high that an old Wosty (as good as sheffields get) needs more than honing. Being new, that wouldn't be obvious at all.

Rather than roll the dice, what about coating it in oil and leaving it untouched for now - at least until you've gained some experience, seen some of the resto work from the pros here. Maybe look up some of the fun (read - heartburn) guys encounter when resurrecting an old sheffield chopper. I've spent 7 hrs trying to set a bevel on one. Just the bevel. At least this way, you won't inflict damage out of ignorance on something as special as an ancestor's blade.

In the mean time, enjoy your shaves. You may find it handy to have a 2nd razor to use while one is out being honed. It needn't be an expensive razor. New guys are HARD on edges. I was no exception. I and others will often hone/touch-up for just the actual cost of bubble envelope and postage to get it back to you.

'Hope you find the learning 1/2 as much fun as I & others have.

Welcome to Straight Razor Place, and congratulations!

Pinklather speaks well, I can only agree. And I second his suggestion to leave it for the time being. It would be terrible to damage it from lack of experience.

Best of luck!

Thanks for the input. I'll wait on doing anything with it until I've more experience.

Fortunately, it has been kept wrapped in oil paper (cloth?) for quite a few decades before I got it so it's not rusted or anything.

I'll try to post some photos of it later this evening.

Here are some photos of the razor:

Welcome! I wish I had my great grandfathers straight, that'd be awesome.

Originally Posted by cmcnabb

Thanks for the input. I'll wait on doing anything with it until I've more experience.

Fortunately, it has been kept wrapped in oil paper (cloth?) for quite a few decades before I got it so it's not rusted or anything.

I'll try to post some photos of it later this evening.

Don't you just wish everyone put their razors away for long term storage like that. You are very lucky in that respect. Enjoy that razor to the fullest.

Bob

Originally Posted by cmcnabb

I don't want to send it off for a 'professional' sharpening, though, since from what I've seen on the net most places will not try to preserve the original inlaid gold lettering when they do their restoration.

If you let the restorer know that you want to preserve the gold lettering , I'm sure any good restorer would be able to preserve it for you , if possible . You should be able to find an excellent restorer here on the SRP .

I have that exact razor in the rotation. Gives great shaves! I love the hollow thinness.

Originally Posted by Wintchase

I have that exact razor in the rotation. Gives great shaves! I love the hollow thinness.

As a matter of fact... Who are you? Did you steal that out of my bathroom? Do I owe you some child support money?