Gottlieb & Hammesfahr Vintage restore

My old friend Kasper aka Kasperitis here on SRP sent me a few to clean up and hone but this one stood out as a challenge...

Kasper will post some "before" pics because as usual, I got excited when I ran out to the shop to test the steel and forgot can you say "DUHHHH"

This is a 1/2 hollow Gottlieb and Hammesfahr Solingen-Foche spike point which we wern't even sure was going to make it off the bench at all... She came in with some pretty serious rusting across the spine.. Luckily it was red active rust and she cleaned up pretty well.. Not perfect she will always carry the scars of the battle but at least now it is clean and bright steel...

Polished up the scales and re-pinned and put in new bearing washers...
We thought about new custom scales but decided that since the old scales were in great shape after the cleaning why not just leave well enough alone...
I told him she will probably out shave every razor in the collection out of spite :)


PICS !!!!!

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BTW that is not a spot on the scales in the pics that is a reflection of the hammer :nj

Wow. I'm just amazed at what you were able to do with this blade, honestly. I really didn't think it'd clean up that nice, especially the spine. Gorgeous. :dropjaw:

As Glen mentioned, it was pretty rusty before. Here are pics of the front and back as they were before I sent them out to Glen. Again, just an incredible job. I can't wait to see how it shaves!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_i...s800/photo.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_i...s800/photo.JPG

Nice Save! That tang stamp is interesting as it looks like the Geneva Cutlery Pyramid tang stamp. Any relation?

I do not know Joe, it is similar maybe if Manah sees the post he can weigh in, He has a ton of reference books

Nice Work Glen!! You never cease to amaze!!:):)

If by chance I ever get close to being even 1/2 as good as you, I'll feel blessed!

Nice work, Glen.
And nice razor, that was made by one of oldest German companies.
The Gottlieb Hammesfahr company was founded in 1684.
Gottlieb Hammesfahr, 1684 - 1880's,
Gottlieb Hammesfahr & Companie, 1880's - 1935,
Gottlieb Hammesfahr AG 'Nirosta-Werke', 1935 - present day.
Registered 12th November 1875, Solingen-Foche, Focher Strasse 60.
Trademarks "Pyramide", "Nirosta", "Kompressor" were used commercially.

Thanks Alex much appreciated I knew it was a good old brand, but didn't realize that old.... :)

See Luke I told ya she is going to shave a dream outta spite... hehehe

Nice save and I know for a fact that those shave wonderfully! Well worth it!

Wonderful restore. For my personal visual pleasure, I love seeing those "plain jane" original scales kept, and polished back so nice on this one.

Of course, seeing the the razor looking good without rust is kinda nice too, lol

Love it when they look new & original :tu :tu

That was, and now is again, a beautiful razor. Great save.

Bet that's a shaver and a half...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by manah

Nice work, Glen.
And nice razor, that was made by one of oldest German companies.
The Gottlieb Hammesfahr company was founded in 1684.
Gottlieb Hammesfahr, 1684 - 1880's,
Gottlieb Hammesfahr & Companie, 1880's - 1935,
Gottlieb Hammesfahr AG 'Nirosta-Werke', 1935 - present day.
Registered 12th November 1875, Solingen-Foche, Focher Strasse 60.
Trademarks "Pyramide", "Nirosta", "Kompressor" were used commercially.

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Thanks for the information Alex. Love the history of many of these companies.

Yeah, I'm pumped to see how it shaves, and I'm even more excited to hear that it's by a VERY old company! So cool!

great job on the razor. you would have no idea its over 150 years old.

Oh yes, very nice! And if my experience is anything to go by, totally worth the effort to bring it back into use. I very much hope that one of these superlative blades will come my way again, and I'll be able to keep it.

As usual a great restoration Sir!
And what a razor! That thing really did it for me.
A hefty tang and very slim, curved tail.
I love it:)

Excellent job.

Wowww guys :dropjaw:. The before and after shots are astonishing . Can't believe it's the same blade.

Glen: you have outdone yourself once again :tu(and again, and again....)

Kasper: Congratulations. Enjoy this fine piece of work for years to come...in good health:beer1:

I picked this bad boy up from the post office this morning and I'm dying to get home to try it out. I have to be patient though...

...after I finish reloading those rounds. Then I can treat myself to a good shave.

Gotta love the Hornady reloading manual backdrop!

Well, I finally had the guts to take this guy out for a ride last night. WOW! I'm now a HUGE fan of the heavier grind, although I was right to be terrified of that spike. While I was very careful and very slow, I did manage 4 nicks, which is a standing record. 3 of no consequence, one that wasn't due to the spike, but just bad form on my part.

But all I can say is....WOW! That blade definitely outshaves all of my others. And further confirms that I have to send out my two Dovo's for a re-hone to Glen. That shave though...amazing.

Thanks again Glen!

Glad you like the edge...

Hint about Spikes, always be aware of where the end of that razor is of course, but try leaning more toward the heel then the toe only use the toe for the tight spots... Don't know if that is actually "Kosher" but it has worked for me for quite a few years :)

Just wanted to add one thing, since all that have shaved with these razors know how good they are,and since they have been around since the 1700s,why arent there more of them,do you think that they didnt make it through time or those who have them dont want to part with them?
All thing being equal they are amazing,although not very well known,and having razors honed by Glen and my self the only difference it the blade itself,and they shave MUCH better than some of the more well known brands

Lovely job, I recently restored one a 4/8 very nice shaver.

Jamie.

http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/w...ment/001-2.jpg

Your gonna love that one...for sure

Maybe someone can clarify, if the tang only says Gottlieb Hammesfahr, Solingen- foche with the pyramid symbol with a cross in it, that means it could be made anywhere from 1684- 1880's?? I am curious because i have a similar razor that is the same shape and everything but with pearl looking scales and 3 crowns etched in the blade. I also have a Boker with the american line S.S St Luis engraved on it with so much detail it has waves and birds flying in it. Any info on either would be amazing to hear about.

Thanks!

Quote:

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with the pyramid symbol with a cross in it

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They're the owners of that trademark since 1889 only.