Thread: Greaseless Compounds are magical.

How did I ever consider it restored without this stuff?!

I have a razor with a kinda cool shape to it (pictures to follow) by a maker named Rector & Wilhelmy Co... Never heard of them, but the razor has a cool, jimped thumbnotch, and the tail is a cool shape too... Well, it has a nice etching on the blade (Nice, DEEEP etch.. Why don't more makers do it like that!) that reads: "XXX / Clean Clipper / Fully Warranted" With an arrow through Clean Clipper and some cool scrollwork... Well, I started with plain Black compound since I wanted the etch unharmed, and I had never used greaseless before... But that just wasn't cutting it.. Hyuk.

Tentatively I reached for my now-dried wheel of 600Grit Greaseless (formax to be precise) And gave it a quick, timid lick on the tail against a rust spot... To my horror, the rust hadn't been scoured off, nigh untouched it remained! Had I done something wrong with the compound? Was this the new Super Rust being developed in underground labs!?

Another, more insistent touch to the wheel and, what's this? A nice, satiny shine? Confidence mounting, I started workign on the tang and tail, finally understanding what a "satin finish" was, and actually quite liking it... So, getting to caught up in the task, I move the blade to the grinder then yank it back in horror, fearing I had just whisked away that lovely etch... Upoin inspection I realize how deep the etch is -And how much I love Mr.s Rector and Wilhelmy for that [in a platonic manner]-

Staying on the 600 until it stops sparking, I now have a full satin razor that looks, to me, as my first try, simply wonderful!

I must say, I don't have the experience to pass judgement, but I'm not so sure which I prefer most.. A mirror finish or this smooth satin look!

I'll still go mirror

Now the pictures! If anyone knows this maker, let me know?

Lastly, I'd like to thank Dylan, Lynn, Mainaman, Max, Brad, and all the others who helped me to find my feet in this restoration debacle!

EDIT: I just noticed that, in extremely tiny print, right next to the pivot, it says Made in Germany... Also, I forgot to take before pictures... Sorry guys... But it had a bunch-a rust and some nasty black gunk... A much better turnaround than I expected

Finished! There's still a little gunk in the shoulders, but barely any.. This guy got 600 Grit greaseless, Grey Extra Fast Cut from Caswell, White All Purpose Stainless from Caswell, and Green Rouge from Caswell. Finished off with a little bit of Wright's Jewelry Polish (Essentially Maas, but more for finishing than tarnish removal...)

Whaddaya think?

EDIT: Once again, I apologize for my sloppy photography.. Especially the one with the super glue bottle... It looks a lot better in real life... but what can ya' do when you're clumsy, and using a cameraphone..

That looks really good, especially for a first attempt.

I can also tell that you're either not married or have a private "man-space" where your desk is located.

Originally Posted by HNSB

That looks really good, especially for a first attempt.

I can also tell that you're either not married or have a private "man-space" where your desk is located.

Thanks!

And very astute of you I'm 18-going-on-19, so it's probably a good thing that I'm not yet married... And my girlfriend has already reached an agreement with me... In the event of us living together, I get an entire room for my shave-goodies and other man-cessories on one condition... I also have to store my clothes in that Man-Cave.. The entire closet belongs to her.

I happily agreed.

That being said, I currently live with my parents... Looking to get an apartment and move out by 21, but I'd like to get my associates degree before all that starts.. So I have a pretty well set up personal area

So you want to know about your blade do ya? Here's what Goins says about your razor:

1876-1902 "Clean Clipper is etched on the blade. "Miller Bros." is stamped on a small blade. This firm was founded in 1871 as Larsen & Wilhelmy. They were in Nebraska City, NE. H. Larson and John F. Wilhelmy were the owners.

About 1876, the firm became Rector & Wilhelmy. The officers were W.S. Recto4r, John F. Wilhelmy, J.J. Hochstetler, and Frank B. Hochstetler.

In 1883 they moved to Omaha, NE. They were at 10th & Jackson Streets. They merged with Devol & Wright, and incorporated as Rector & Wilhelmy. In 1902 the firm became Wright & Wilhelmy. They are still in business under that name.

That stuff works wonders doesn't it....great job by the way!

much better than hand sanding. Hand sanding makes baby jebus cry.