LECOULTRE 7/8 FrameBack razor restore

[smythe]

I herd such good things about frame back razors; I had to try one out. The auction was too tempting to pass.
I hear not all razors are created equal, thought maybe I should bid on the Swedish frame back, but all were out of my budget (that’s what the misses would say, so I have to accept that).

When assembled the razor measures 7/8th inch. Only stamping on the tang is LECOULTRE. The 4 blades are numerically stamped N1 - N4 and Jaques Lecoultre Au Sentier… (I wonder if it’s missing 3 of a 7 day set).

The razor and box was in a terrible state; all blades had light patina, covered with a fowl smelling oil and two had small chips (less than 1MM) and … so it was immediately sent to the de-grease-de-smell-dis-infect tank... the box may soon be dumped (don't know how to get the smell out of it and i don't think its the original box).

The frame had rust/patina here and there but what’s interesting is the remnants of plating… Tin?, Silver?, Chrome?… also finger grips on the top of the tang, jimps on bottom.

One-piece celluloid scales were warped also appears to have been poorly repined, so the scales may not be original. Did the hot water in a glass trick to straighten… sand, polish and is now good.

I only polished one blade (one with chip) leaving the other 3 untouched (but covered in better smelling oil) I may polish the rest at some point.

These blades are not as easy to polish like a regular straight… there is nothing to hold on to… its as ridiculous as trying to polish a razor blade… wait-a-minute… that’s exactly what I did!!!

Looking at the blade got me thinking, it should be possible to make these blades… maybe even from an old stainless dinner knife. Seems to be stamped from sheet stock and beveled… the blade is hardened according to my bastard file. Maybe I will post in the “forge” forum.

The shave… wow!!!… after the first stroke I put down the razor and stepped back, shivers ran down my spine, whiskers simply vanished without protest…
I had a chilling image of some poor soul in some hot sweltering dungeon forging away at the steel in this blade.
“Rest peacefully my ancient friend, your toil was not in vein”
That was last night. At noon today, I am washing my face and still feel no stubble”

The first photo is ebay pic the rest is after the restore/shave

Maybe this is my pass into the The FrameBack Fanciers Club