A couple of Hotel Blades...

Hey guys,
While I was home for Christmas, I went on a bit of an Ebay binge, and picked up some razors that I could do some work on. It is nice to be able to mess with this stuff on the weekends and at night while waiting on calls from the US office.

Anyway, I picked up 2 Palmer Chicago blades for fairly cheap. Unfortunately, I started hand-sanding one of them before I photographed it in all it's tarnished glory, but the other one is still in the shape I received it. The one I have worked on was in worse condition, and still has some pitting. It was getting a bit thin, so I decided to quit while I was ahead. After 3 days of hands-anding, my arm was a bit tired, so I haven't honed it yet. Will get to it tomorrow evening.

Hand sanded from 120 to 2000. I really need to get a buffer. I really want a true mirror finish. Anyway, here they are.

1st night after about 5 hours of sanding:
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...e/DSC_0726.jpg
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...e/DSC_0729.jpg

And finished with comparison to the other blade:
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...e/DSC_0733.jpg
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...e/DSC_0744.jpg
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...e/DSC_0749.jpg
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...e/DSC_0752.jpg
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...e/DSC_0755.jpg

Two more shots... err... make that three:
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...e/DSC_0736.jpg
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...DSC_0737-1.jpg
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...e/DSC_0743.jpg

Well done! If you wish to shine it up a little more without the buffer, try some Maas, Semichrome or other metal polish by hand.

Nice job.. love those scales too :tu

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Well done! If you wish to shine it up a little more without the buffer, try some Maas, Semichrome or other metal polish by hand.

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Thanks. Yeah, I used some Maas on it. It is pretty shiny, I just want to polish out the scratch marks. Or at least get them going in the same direction.

I think 3m make finer than 2k grit papers for the jewellery industry if you want to stick to hand sanding or you can jump to Micromesh.
http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/products.htm

Quote:

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

I think 3m make finer than 2k grit papers for the jewellery industry if you want to stick to hand sanding or you can jump to Micromesh.
http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/products.htm

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Thanks, I think I will try that. I will probably run to the jewelry wholesale market here, and see if someone has some tools in stock.

Btw, does anyone have any information on who made these blades for The Palmer Hotel in Chicago? I just finished honing that one up, and the edge looks like it is going to give a good shave. Guess I will find out in a couple of hours.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shangers

Btw, does anyone have any information on who made these blades for The Palmer Hotel in Chicago? I just finished honing that one up, and the edge looks like it is going to give a good shave. Guess I will find out in a couple of hours.

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Update: I know... strange to quote myself, but shaved with the razor last night and had a great shave. Quick and nimble... about like my 4/8 Henckel's Platinum. However, didn't pull like the platinum, probably the extra 1/16+ or so. It's a great little razor and would be a good blade for daily use. Too bad I have so many waiting in the wings for rotation.:)

Anyway, still looking for any information people might have on these razors. Will start cleaning up the second one tonight, which looks a little better.

I just grabbed a 6/8 Palmer No. 31 off the bay last week. I bought it because I liked the razor's look, and wanted a cheap blade for a first resto project. I had no idea that there were such things as 'hotel razors'! The Palmer must have been some kind of hotel to supply straight razors for their guests. Let me know if you find more information on who manufactured these razors.

Warm regards,

Larry

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LarryP

I just grabbed a 6/8 Palmer No. 31 off the bay last week. I bought it because I liked the razor's look, and wanted a cheap blade for a first resto project. I had no idea that there were such things as 'hotel razors'! The Palmer must have been some kind of hotel to supply straight razors for their guests. Let me know if you find more information on who manufactured these razors.

Warm regards,

Larry

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You'd be surprised at what hoteleries would do for their guests back in the day. Remember, though, people who stayed in luxury hotels such as the Palmer House expected and demanded such a level of service.

Many hotels offer similar services today, but they are not as readily available or as visible as in days gone by. You have to ask for them.

Thanks, Jhenry. That gives a great mental picture of what those luxury hotels must have been like.

Just found this interesting Wikipedia entry about The Palmer. Palmer House - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Very cool...

As a young six grader in 1972, coming from a small Indiana town, our entire class of 22 traveled to Chicago for 3 days. We spent the nights at The Palmer House Hotel.... Visited all the major museums, Shedd's Aquarium, etc. Performing in the Palmer House Main Entertainment Lounge during our visit, the late Mr. Lou Rawls. At my age I saw neither Mr Rawls or was offerred a razor by hotel staff.