Thread: May not be much to look at but it special

Grandfather died many, many years ago. Grandmother is nearing 90 and mentally fading fast. My mom had mentioned that I shave with a straight some time ago. My last visit she dug out grandpa's razor and hone. It was tucked away in a drawer in a back room. The hone and razor are a matched set, both made by Geneva Cutlery.

The hone is in good shape and leather backed for stropping. The box is marked 1.50. Genco Geneva Cutlery Co. Hone-Strop.

The razor is a Geneva Cutlery 'Damascus'. It is not real damascus but just patterned steel. The razor had some rust on it and the scales were in bad shape. Lots of gunk in there. I did not want to do anything dramatic to the razor. I de-pined it to clean it up. The blade got a light sanding to remove the rust and then gave it a light buffing to clean it up.

The scales got several soaks and scrubbing to clean them up. I repined them with a single brass washer and 1/16 brass rod to keep them original. Turned out good. I am going to hone it up when I have a chance to use it now and then. I need to make a shadow box to keep the set in. Then it will get passed onto my son one day.

That is just so cool....

Oh yeah, good job on the razor too

That cleaned up nice!! I also have one of Grandpaps straights,and i shave with it on Christmas morn just to keep the tradition alive.And your right,they are special!!!!

I'd disagree that it's nothing special to look at. Even with out the knowing the background, it looks nice.

If I were in your shoes, even with all your excellent jobs, I'd think this has earned tops of your pride list.

Darn, wish I could be around and hear the story when your boy hands it of to his kid.

If I had that razor and it had belonged to my grandfather it would be the prize of my collection. You're a lucky man and a talented man. Great resto. The hone is super cool too.

Originally Posted by cannonfodder

Grandfather died many, many years ago. Grandmother is nearing 90 and mentally fading fast. My mom had mentioned that I shave with a straight some time ago. My last visit she dug out grandpa's razor and hone. It was tucked away in a drawer in a back room. The hone and razor are a matched set, both made by Geneva Cutlery.

The hone is in good shape and leather backed for stropping. The box is marked 1.50. Genco Geneva Cutlery Co. Hone-Strop.

The razor is a Geneva Cutlery 'Damascus'. It is not real damascus but just patterned steel. The razor had some rust on it and the scales were in bad shape. Lots of gunk in there. I did not want to do anything dramatic to the razor. I de-pined it to clean it up. The blade got a light sanding to remove the rust and then gave it a light buffing to clean it up.

The scales got several soaks and scrubbing to clean them up. I repined them with a single brass washer and 1/16 brass rod to keep them original. Turned out good. I am going to hone it up when I have a chance to use it now and then. I need to make a shadow box to keep the set in. Then it will get passed onto my son one day.

Wow, you did a great job of bringing that around, and you have a good story to boot. Lucky dog!

That's fantastic. I love hearing stories of guys getting their grandfather's razors. There really should be a Family Jewels Razor Club.

Edit: I did it. Please go to the Razor Clubs section and add your razor to the Family Jewels!

I attended my family reunion a few weeks ago and my cousin and I were sitting around talking about my grandfather's personal things. I was given his shotgun, another had his old Waltham pocket watch. His house had burned down and a lot was lost. My cousin said by the way I have Granadpa's old Dubl Duck razor. I had thought it had been lost in the fire but I found out my uncle had visited my Grandfather shortly before the fire and was given the razor and had passed it on to his son. So I know some of the excitement that you are feeling. I am anxious to visit my cousin and see the old razor. I have not looked at it since I was a teenager and am now sixty-four. I am excited.

Sometimes it's nice having a fancy/pretty/expensive razor but it tough to beat something with family history.
Great matching set, enjoy

I agree with DirtyChrome I think it a very nice looking razor. Btw nice clean up job and a very cool story to boot.