Thread: And so it begins

What is this disease that has infected me?

I bought an ebay razor last weekend. The razor arrived friday. It is a W&B with wood scales (the seller listed as mahogany, but I'm not sure if that is correct). Overall, the condition seems okay. There is some hone wear on the blade and pitting on the tang.

So I decide to head down to the basement yesterday to clean it up a little then I'm going to send it out for honing. After a little cleaning, the pitting really starts to look bad, so I decide I should sand the blade a little to "polish it a little better". I start to sand a little and realize that I can not easily sand the pitted areas with the scales attached. I also convince myself (with no frame of reference mind you) that the pins are a little loose, so I break out the drill and remove the pins. Sadly, being a newbie and also a little clutzy, I damaged the scale with the drill. Fortunately I have some mahogany wood putty to fill in the blemish.

So somehow a "little cleaning" before sending the razor for honing has become a full blown restoration. Again I ask, what disease have I fallen prey to?

Oh, its a terrible disease. I started out just wanting to find a decent shaving brush for use with my Schick Quartro, and now I own 20 vintage DE's and around 30 Straight razors. Some are in various states of "Restoration" other I've managed to hone back to shave ready condition and about 6 or 7 sit in one of my 7 shaving mugs waiting for my decision on their fate. This mind you just started at the end of November. Get cured before its too late!

I believe this is a rare virus which has been showing increased resilience here recently. RRD (razor restoration disorder) is seen less frequently than RAD (razor aquisition disorder), SAD (shaving afflicted disorder) or the oter dysfunctions associated and sometimes dangerous to this endeavor, but not one without a strong support group here at SRP. Although I'm not a certified medical practitioner, I'd recommend regular trips to the Restoration Forum and post as frequently as you feel you need to to stay informed. There are some gentlemen who have been fighting this disease (and losing thankfully) for years now and the results of their disorder show up regularly there. But be warned, it is both inspirational and infectious.

X

It's not a bad disease really ---a few problematic symptoms --but most don't mind the loss of facial hair ---if you see lips, ears, and fingers starting to disappear --than get some help --otherwise, just take a good multivitamin and ask as many questions as you feel necessary . Take it easy,

Justin

I have bad news for you. You have already started down the path to a road that goes on and on with no end. There is no way back, you're stuck like the rest of us. If you pass me on the road just say hi.

I am almost done with the restoration. I need 1 or 2 more coats of tung oil on the scales. I'm pretty happy with how the blade turned out though some pitting remains. Soon I will send the razor out for pinning and sharpening. Then the real fun will begin as I learn to shave with a straight.

The Big Spender said

If you pass me on the road just say hi.

Will do. Hopefully I'm not as afflicted as you though. I'm assuming you have earned your nickname based on razor purchases and not extravagent dinners with the ladies.