Thread: Had to redo my resto on Satinedge

Originally Posted by mycarver

I was thinking the end of the blade somehow but where would it terminate. Yeah, that is a distinctive blue they have. I use Testors enamel mix to duplicate it.
Do a bit of research on the others. You'd be surprised what you find. Or post them and ask if anyone has any reference. I'm doing a J. Rodgers that a guy wanted me to " hot rod" . Sorry,, not a blade like this marked "Cutlers to their Majesties" in pristine shape but missing scales. Found some photos showing the blade with the proper shape scales on it. Cool.

could you post some pics of the razors you mentioned? I just love this stuff and trying to figure it out. Besides the porn value as well!
Just the name "Gold Mandarin" sounds intriguing. I'm looking for another Japanese/Chinese razor to do more carved Ivory motifs. Better yet, don't show me or I'll bug you till you sell .

Okay I just looked and seem to have misplaced a whole years worth of pictures. I have been meaning to make a duck folder but never got around to it. I will soon.

Here are some quick shots off the bench. They are on the bench for total restore and all Ducks you won't see everyday. And I haven't found much info on them in Google searches. Couple of posts in SRP but that's about it.








I brought some life into this one with testors and learned to be very careful with paint on old scales. Taking off the excess is more like , don't have any excess or else. I was sweatin' bullets sanding the red off that didn't want to let go of the scales.



I have another odd ball but just couldn't find it. Specialwedge from same Bresnick era.
Too me the ducks almost beg for a hot rod mod. I hate to think of them rotting in the old cell and I basically look for ones that need it. I have tried to keep a few all original but 2 are showing signs of coming out of remission . Operating room STAT !

Oh ,and I hate to see a grown man beg so know this...NOT FOR SALE :<0)

That's no problem , They just sounded interesting and wanted to take a peek. Wasn't familiar with the Mandarin not realizing it was German.
Bought quite a few a couple weeks ago and have bids on you don't want to know how many again. Yeah, like I need more. Well actually , Yes I do!

I've been taking peeks at all your posts to da love your work. Did you bead or hand sand? Or even another process. Looks great and it makes sense given the name.

Mark all told I believe you did the right thing on the Satinedge. ...and now I'm thinking maybe I need to do similar things to mine (I have a few in the queue anyway so why not). They look great and anytime we can move a blade back to its original look it's a good thing. Yeah ducks do kind of call out for a hot rod mod but it's nice to target the original look and hit it sometimes. Good detective work and outstanding craftsmanship - yet again!

Mark as always nice work!

How does the razor 'feel' in hand when shaving? Does the non polished steel give a different/better feel/kind of like microscopic 'jimps'??

Thanks everyone for the kind comments.

It was a j. Rodgers Cutlers to their Majesties the client wanted me to modify which I just couldn't . Don't think I'd do one of these either unless it was really toast. But it amazes me how far gone some pieces can be and still be brought back to respectable condition

Haven't shaved with it yet but it has a feel similar to maybe a 1500 grit paper. Have a feeling it may be somewhat fragile . We'll see. There are other things I can try. I'm always experimenting when it comes to my toys.

Despite I don't like 3-pin transparent acrylic scales ... that is one of the best I've seen !!
The others, clear&dark pearl, are stunning.


Are Bresnik NY made by DD factory?

Originally Posted by ischiapp

Despite I don't like 3-pin transparent acrylic scales ... that is one of the best I've seen !!
The others, clear&dark pearl, are stunning.


Are Bresnik NY made by DD factory?

You and I both! The ones I see drive me nuts. This being factory and my desire to keep it original and restore it as best I can called for it. That I think is fine . But clear, neon etc. in my opinion only, never saw one I'd want to have or benefited the razor in any way.

I'm certainly no authority on these by a long shot . But from what I've been told, they moved
the factory to Canal St. NY around 1930. These are stamped Bresduck. Also Dubl-Duck , Lifetime, Deutsch, Beau Brummell ( have one, didn't know this) and Satinedge. This ran till 1952. Then from around 1947 to 52 Pearlducks were made. One guy showed me a blade with both the German stp on one side and the Bresnick on the other. Likely " old stock " during the transition.
Not sure if this answers anything but just neat info.
Mine only has the German marks so guessing pre 1930?
Someone asked how it felt in hand and how it shaves. I just used it tonight along with the spike I just posted.
Now I've read many posts with guys putting these down along with the Goldedges etc. I truly don't know what they were talking about. Honing sure plays a part. And I'm not a fancy pants honemeister. But man,.... Does this thing shave! I would have no problem if this was my only razor for daily use. It was that good. I get a lot of blades through here which I get to try. I have quite a few of my own to say the least. I generally don't favor blades such as this. I lean towards heavier "wedge" blades. To me at times very thin blades seem twitchy, they seem to catch or snag somehow. Not this one. Acted like a much heavier blade. Made some noise unlike a thicker axe but didn't show the characteristics of what I usually find in very thin blades. I've always enjoyed my golds , and this one just shot to the topic the pile. Won't be long till this is in rotation again. It may be pretty and if I bugger it up I'll just do it over again. And maybe till then I can find out what the ad meant by " Gold on the tip".

Originally Posted by mycarver

You and I both! The ones I see drive me nuts. This being factory and my desire to keep it original and restore it as best I can called for it. That I think is fine . But clear, neon etc. in my opinion only, never saw one I'd want to have or benefited the razor in any way.

I'm certainly no authority on these by a long shot . But from what I've been told, they moved
the factory to Canal St. NY around 1930. These are stamped Bresduck. Also Dubl-Duck , Lifetime, Deutsch, Beau Brummell ( have one, didn't know this) and Satinedge. This ran till 1952. Then from around 1947 to 52 Pearlducks were made. One guy showed me a blade with both the German stp on one side and the Bresnick on the other. Likely " old stock " during the transition.
Not sure if this answers anything but just neat info.
Mine only has the German marks so guessing pre 1930?
Someone asked how it felt in hand and how it shaves. I just used it tonight along with the spike I just posted.
Now I've read many posts with guys putting these down along with the Goldedges etc. I truly don't know what they were talking about. Honing sure plays a part. And I'm not a fancy pants honemeister. But man,.... Does this thing shave! I would have no problem if this was my only razor for daily use. It was that good. I get a lot of blades through here which I get to try. I have quite a few of my own to say the least. I generally don't favor blades such as this. I lean towards heavier "wedge" blades. To me at times very thin blades seem twitchy, they seem to catch or snag somehow. Not this one. Acted like a much heavier blade. Made some noise unlike a thicker axe but didn't show the characteristics of what I usually find in very thin blades. I've always enjoyed my golds , and this one just shot to the topic the pile. Won't be long till this is in rotation again. It may be pretty and if I bugger it up I'll just do it over again. And maybe till then I can find out what the ad meant by " Gold on the tip".

You would love a Satinwedge. Trust me on this one.
Bresnick was a import wholsale retail guy as I understand it. He didn't make anything. If you start to compare Duck razors with others out there you will see many similarities. The Red Head and Gold Mandarin sold under other company names and the Red Head looked exactly the same except for the tang marks. The Reaper has a couple of pals out there also. I saw one in a lot last week and I have this pic to show what I mean.


This is my Autocraft and if you compare the bolsters on both ends to a Reapers they are a perfect match. Yeah this one has a pheasant instead of the little guy with the sickle. The brass name blazened across the scales. Also notice the the shape of the tang mark, that diamond look familiar ? This razor has Steuben Sales co. Wayland NY , soligen germany on the other side. Another importer I would say.

The Lifetime razor (which I just let go by :<0( Was a simple looking thing with the same characteristics as the Reaper. Who made them ? Who knows but these razors do have some mystery in their history.

Oh, I'd love a Reaper, Wonderedge, Satinwedge. I want the whole set my friend and here you go dangling carrots in front of me. I don't like you any more.
But oh I love that razor. And look at the box. Interesting info there as well. Here too , NY. I'd have guessed Germany. But it was what, 1932 to 52 before Pearlduck took over for just a few years. I love the addition of the hinge end bolster. And you're right about the other details that match other razors. Lets face it it's basically the equivalent I'd say of what GM used to do. Make a Chevy 2,, then a Nova,, or a Chevelle and a Malibu. Same basic bones,, change up some trim and call it something else.
Goldedge, round point, Satinedge, square point, Satinwedge near French point. Do they shave differently? Kinda doubt it as I'm sure they're all the same steel and basic grinds. But what do I know.
I was just looking for info to try and accurately build my blade and I got sucked into a swirling vortex of things I don't yet have but have to find a way. I want the whole set.

Thanks for the info and the photos. You have only whetted my appetite. Curse you, curse you ,curse you!