Thread: Kruzius Brothers reatoration by Mark Yundt at exquisiteblade.com

In the spring of this year I picked up a Kruzius Brothers 6/8 cutthroat at a big barn antique shop in the Cotswolds for £10/$16. KB has a reputation for good German steel and this blade was likely manufactured in the 1890's. My friend Frank Cerniwey of Olympia, WA put a brilliant synthetic edge on it and recommended I send it to one of two restorers. I chose Mark for my first restoration after looking through three impressive pages of his before and after pics of restorations.

My KB "Demon" had quite a bit of pitting and needed new scales. I asked for a basic restoration, horn scales and stacked washers. Mark hones his razors using film and I was looking forward to shaving with my first film-honed blade. I sent pics to Mark and he got back to me the same day quoting $135 and 8 weeks turnaround time. I authorized the work and almost 8 weeks to the day I received three emails with multiple pictures of my restored KB Demon.

Everything is perfect on this restoration. I can see my reflection on the precisely radiused and polished pin heads. The blade closes dead center on scales that are also spotlessly finished and even polished on the inside. Under the microscope, there is a consistent even bevel with the same level of polish that I have seen produced from a 64K Shapton. Brilliant and precise craftsmanship.

After lathering up with one of my excellent coldriversoapworks.com soaps, I enjoyed the feel of my first film-honed edge. I have shaved with great edges from synthetics, jnats, thuris, coticules, diamond sprays and pastes. This blade was sharp and comfortable like a coticule, required smooth multiple passes to mow the grass, and left me with a great shave with 0.5 on the alum.

It is such a complete feeling of total satisfaction to enjoy a great shave from a top-drawer quality shaving instrument. I am impressed and completely satisfied with my investment in Mark's uncompromisingly precise work.

John