W&B FBU purist resto

[PR357]

What to do? I haven't had my hands on too many FBU's, so I would like a purist's opinion on how to handle this one.
I want it as original as possible, so the scales are going to stay. I'm not sure I'll do anything at all to them. On either side of the pin there is a "T" and an "X" which I assume stands for Texas ( as it was found in Texas). There is also some other script that I cannot make out.


The blade does have some scratches from a wire brush and a nice spot of pitting right on top of the tip. This is what I'm most concerned with.



I'm thinking of approaching the brush marks with some 800 grit, and see how that looks. The tip would require much heavier sanding, so I may just chalk it up to character.


I really don't want to unpin it, so if anyone has some input or guidance I'd really appreciate it. The hinge does not move at all, like most old blades do with worn out pivot holes ( it could very well be filled with gunk). All I've done so far is give it a two day soak in neatsfoot oil, and then dried it off.

[Matheus]

Great find. If you are really a purist, just polish it with some metal polisher, soak it overnight in neatsfoot oil, desinfect the blade, hone it and be happy. Good things don't need to be beautiful. Some of my best shavers are kept with their scars, devil spits, pitting...

[entropy1049]

When I received mine, it was in 100% original condition. Aside from honing and a rub down with Renaissance Wax, I chose to do nothing.



I think if I had yours, I'd simply try to polish out the scratches, maybe a ScotchBrite pad with some Maas, then just Maas and a soft 100% cotton rag. Otherwise, it's got tons of character and honest, well earned patina. Definitely take a minimalist approach. If it required restoration, it would be a different situation, but yours looks pretty good, and after all, it's survived 130 (+/-) years without any restoration and is thriving nicely.

Let it keep it's character. There's plenty of shiny ones out there .

[sharptonn]

Indeed. Some deserve the minimal approach! They are only original once. Nice to keep some of that at times!




It would seem that your FBU is an earlier example with the thin tail and more slender tang?

[PR357]

Well, I may not identify as a purist, but I believe each blade requires a differentiated approach. So with this one I want to touch as little as possible while restoring function.

[entropy1049]

Indeed. Some deserve the minimal approach! They are only original once. Nice to keep some of that at times!

Great minds frequently think alike Tom.

[PR357]

Those are some fine examples! I'll try the scotch bright pad and post a follow up.

[PR357]

It would seem that your FBU is an earlier example with the thin tail and more slender tang?

I really would not be the one to ask. Perhaps someone could chime in. I'm glad you mentioned that as it is something I noticed when compared with my other FBU, which looks similar to the one you have pictured on the left.

[sharptonn]

Well, I may not identify as a purist, but I believe each blade requires a differentiated approach. So with this one I want to touch as little as possible while restoring function.

Unpinning the top is a good idea, but if that is not an option, I have simply rubbed these blades with a scrap of crocus cloth with WD40, CroOx powder. Then a light polish. Tough parts like the nose of yours will need the wire brush, at least. Q-tips, damp and loaded with Comet or Ajax and some work inside the scales, You can clean it all up.

[Wolfpack34]

Although not opposed completely to the 'purist' approach, in this case since this razor was already restored at some point in the past...it obviously was re-ground...I'd opt for another restore.