Thread: Newbie here

Hello everyone. I have been reading for 2 days. I am interested in getting started on this interesting hobby. I have purchased my first razor very cheap. I know you get what you pay for I was hoping for some feedback and honest comments on my purchase. I will get a worthy razor, but this is a start. ANTIQUE VINTAGE STRAIGHT RAZOR "GEBR. WEYERSBERG" "ROOSTER BRAND"

Welcome to SRP

Sadly those lovely celluloid scales almost certainly have to go. Those dark spots on the blade are a classic example of cell rot, including the damage varying with the color of the scales. If you want to check my diagnosis, place the razor with the scales in a zip lock bag. Within three days new rust will have appeared, no mater how dry the razor was.

The good news is that the blade once placed in new scales can almost certainly be made shave ready. The vintage roster brand is well respected. Just be careful the modern hen and rooster razor shaped objects should be avoided.

Edit:

The spine ware looks fine, small to minimal. I suggest you look in the Classifieds - Member Services for someone to hone and rescale the razor.

Over all not nearly as bad as my first razor, just don't be as pigheaded as I was. I insisted on learning to hone, strop, and shave all at once with the same razor. It lead to several bad habits that slowed my learning significantly.

Jonathan

Thanks for the reply. I will not learn to hone yet. Just trying to get a little collection together first. something old something new a cup some soap etc... Ive been eyeing a very nice looking ERN. Once I get a few I will send them to someone here to get shave ready. I do have some nice wood scales that need to be shaped and finished. Ebony, cocobolo, zebra and leopard etc... I have around 8-10. I just dont know if they are long enough.

Once again, thanks for the reply

here's another pic. btw will this thing get a mirror shine? will the spots come off?

It will likely never be a beauty queen but it most likely will be a good shaving razor. The sanding/re-grinding will likely have to stop before all of the pits are gone. The shallow etch will likely disappear amazingly fast, and long before the pits. However the non pitted sections of the razor will come to a nice mirror polish with a few minuets with mass/mothers metal polish.

But the first restoration question is can the edge be honed past the pits. For that it will have to be taken to the hones. Either yours when you get some or someone else's. Don't forget to ask about having them buffed when you have them honed.

Good luck with the new scales. All those woods sound good.

Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan I should receive it soon.

Well a belated welcome from East TN.
I would check the scales for cell rot but it looks like there is enough good steel to work with. The vintage Roosters are great razors I wish in hind sight I had not let mine go

Thanks for the welcome! Amish Country PA here. Transplant from NY. Received razor today and was very impressed. I only paid 28.00 shipped on fleabay. Box is nice, blade is shiny and smooth just needs some work and shave ready. I dont feel any pitting but is discolored none the less. I guess 1925 or so???? I dont know. first one is always exciting.

Ok I did what was recommended. I ditched the scales and polished as best a novice can. Who can you guys recommend to get this blade into tip top shape. buffed and honed?

I will use the pictured piece of wood. for the new scales. IDK I think leopard or zebra I forgot what kind it is. but its light and dense.

I have 2 Identical scales (pieces of wood) I will give the other free to a person who steps up and offers their services. not looking for a freebee .... Thanks in advance.

For whom to do the restoration, buff, and hone check out the Member Services. To pick a vendor for you restoration you should look at the vendor's previous work, and reputation. I would suggest you send the section of scale with the inlay with the razor so that the restorer can add it to the scale. Also I wouldn't pin the scales to the razor so that all of the razor can be buffed. Nuts and bolts from Micro Fasteners are often used to mock up scales without pinning.

Jonathan