First Restore: H.M. Christensen 5/8" hollow

Attachment 151097

I got this blade on ebay. I used a flush cutter to free it from its scales, then sanded for several hours. Got the scales from Maggard Razors and repinned (holy cow, it worked!). It's a little loose, but not bad. Honed it on Nortons 220, 1k, 4k, 8k, then CrOx and FeOx on a balsa strip. The honing was the hard part. Using the Quarter Norton set, the stones are 1.5" x 4" and it is difficult to get it evenly sharp from heel to toe. I did manage to set a bevel and get it sharp enough to shave with. Still needs work.

The brush is a "silvertip badger" 22mm knot I got on ebay ($15 sent from China). Real big and real soft. I glued it to a handle I bought on Etsy.

This will be a gift for my son. His maternal grandfather's name was H. Christensen (no relation), and his favorite color is orange. I may send it off to be honed so I can be sure it's as sharp as it can get. I think he's gonna love it! :cool:

It's incredible that, thanks to the internet, it's possible to buy something that's been lying around for 100 years or so and learn how to bring it back to life. Many, many thanks to all contributors. Without this site, I wouldn't have had a clue.

I look forward to restoring many more in 2014. Happy New Year! :beer1:
Jim

I think your son will like it. I think it looks good for your first restore, looking forward to seeing more. Happy New Year to you and everyone on here!

Very nice restoration, I believed your razor is an early one, company founded in 1889 but the name change a little after to H.M. Christensen and co, and later to HMC cutlery Co in 1916. That said your razor is probably 110 years old +-, your son will love it!

Nice looking razor. Good job on the restore!