1918 Wester-Stone non restore ... have a look at this find ;)

Folks,

I got this razor off the bay last week, and finally took it apart to clean it. The original scales were bone, and so badly pitted, rust covered, stained and just overall terrible condition that I could not save them. I worked on them for 2 days, only to realize they couldn't be saved. :( Sadness at the scales....

But, the blade was incredible. I had to take some #0000 steel wool to the shank to get the rust off, and what came out from underneath amazed me. I only had to use some mothers chrome polish on the actual blade, and wool on the tang and tail. Then I threw on a set of German scales I got from the superior shave and here she is...

I can't believe it's a Damascus, and I apologize right now for the craptacular photos my camera takes. It's a 10.1 megapics, but that doesn't help it get good closeups. I hope you can actually read what's on it. The photo's don't show the striations in the metal where it has been folded either.

I got this old razor in a duece purchase with an old Barber's Delight. When I got them, I couldn't believe the amazing condition the blades were in. I got lucky as I got them both for under 15$. (I know, I have RAD something terrible, my wife yells at me now when she sees me on the bay).

Despite the ever growing collection, I really want a Dovo Bismark (in red if possible) as my next razor purchase. I may have to sell a few of my shave readies to do it, but I want one!!

Here's a couple of the best pictures I was able to get of my latest aquisition.

I wouldn't call this a restore as much as a cleaning, but it's ready for the hones!!!!

Enjoy!! Mike

There are a lot of old razors marked "Damascus" that are not what we would today call Damascus.

But nice work on the cleanup. I am a big fan of steel wool used in conjunction with metal polish.

I know exactly what you mean Glen, It's marked Damascus, as if it were a nod of the cap to the location, not that it is a true damascus steel razor. I don't know as it is a Wester what to make of it exactly, but it's a great old razor regardless, not to mention I like Wester's (Whether a Wester, Wester Bro's, Wester&Butz, Wester-Stone, etc..) they seem to be good quality razors.

I like these easy cleanup jobs on the old ones. By the total lack of hone wear, this guy has been hidden away for a long time. I'm very happy with it.. :)

M

Nice find Mike, cleaned up really well.

That's a fine looking blade. Looks like a good clean up too.

I don't know a lick about photography either. It's an overstatement to call me amateur. The best pointers I got was from a friend were the following.

Put the camera someplace stable, like counter top, tripod, whatever. No matter how hard I try to keep steady, it will shake.

If you have a timer use it. Even if sitting stable, when you take the snap, there may be movement. If you stay hands off while it snaps, no residual shaking during the shot. I don't really know if I do right or wrong, but I'll put a 10 second delay.

Thats a nice clean-up. I'd put that in my rotation in a second!

Other pointers for photographs: if you shine a bright light through a white sheet, you'll reduce some of the glare. Or, you could make a budget lightbox out of a cardboard box, and some white tissue paper. It would take you about ten minutes to construct it.

If you search "budget lightbox" I think you'll find my thread about it....it was about 8 or so months back.

Thanks Maxi, great suggestion... I'll have to give that a try for sure. I'm slowly but surely learning. :)

Mike

Well that sure turned out nice :) I like the scale material, you should be very pleased. Enjoy it in good health.

Glenn

A fine looking razor indeed. Always nice when you can get one thats so easy to bring back to life. Congrats.