Thread: My crown jewel, Genco Henry's XX fully restored. My best work ever!!!

Now I realize this just doesn't match up with the likes of Glen or Neil, but this XX is probably the finest job I have ever done as far as a ground up restore.

The before pictures sucked so bad, I didnt' have a single one worth posting. I'll have to describe it.

There was no rust, but boatloads of little black spots all over it. The pivot was incredibly clean, it looked like the razor had never been shave with. The oversized black scales did not survive my removal enough to go back onto this blade, so I used some NOS I got from revisor or the superior shave (don't know which place this set came from), probably TSS. However, I worked on this razor for at least 16 hours, used my new drill press to cut the pivot. I used my microfastener SS pin, nut and washers. I had to buff the scratches out of the scales, which I think I did pretty good on. The razor took about 16 hours of polishing and buffing. I managed to cut myself really well working the edge. It went thru 3 layers of cloth to get to my finger, and it did it with ease.

I don't think this razor has ever been hone, except from the factory. There are no hone scratches, no wear, and the scales were too clean to have been used. The folks I bought it from got it at an estate sale with an old Bockla that is next to feel the touch.

This is the crown jewel of my collection. I think this one is a keeper for sure. I'll never let it go.

Anyway, here it is... Please, any comments or constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Enjoy!!!




I do believe I may have to stop, I don't think I"ll ever top this one!!!

Thanks to all for all the support!!!

Mike

I think this razor is perfect. There are so many things I like about it, and I think MJ that you did a bang up job of giving it new life. Hopefully after it's honed it will truly be the crown jewel of your shavers.

Really nice job man.

Thats a beautiful razor and a job well done Hammer. Let us know how it shaves after you get it honed.

Originally Posted by donjcschilde

Thats a beautiful razor and a job well done Hammer. Let us know how it shaves after you get it honed.

That I will do, I'm almost afraid to get it honed, it might crack, or break or something terrible simply because I love it. Sometimes I am the kiss of death!!!

The last razor I loved this much cracked on the hone..

I am hoping for the best tho!!!

Thanks for the good feedback!!

Mike

Nice razor , nice job Should be a killa dilla on the stubble.

Originally Posted by mjhammer

That I will do, I'm almost afraid to get it honed, it might crack, or break or something terrible simply because I love it. Sometimes I am the kiss of death!!!

The last razor I loved this much cracked on the hone..

I am hoping for the best tho!!!

Thanks for the good feedback!!

Mike

Send it out then.

Let someone else sharpen your baby. There's no shame in that.

Gorgeous razor. Wonderful job. If she shaves as well as she looks all you'll have to do is open it and hold it next to your face. Should scare the whiskers off.

Nicely done Mike. The cream sits perfect with the clean blade.. Even the Jimping is clean! NICE shine on it also. Only comment is the pivot seems off center and when you have time try a NS pin job? Tiny details but a razor I would love to shave with...

Originally Posted by Str8Shooter

Nicely done Mike. The cream sits perfect with the clean blade.. Even the Jimping is clean! NICE shine on it also. Only comment is the pivot seems off center and when you have time try a NS pin job? Tiny details but a razor I would love to shave with...

Man you have an eye for detail. Yes, it is slightly low off center. I was using my new dremel drill press for the first time. I felt not in proper control when I drilled the hole. I thought I had it centered by sight, and my sight isn't what it used to be, LOL...

I've done a couple of peens, and I prefer the microfasteners. Now the micros have to be peened down smooth and polished as well. If you don't peen them well, they tend to work loose, and I learned on my first couple that cutting them too close is not a good thing. If you leave an 1/8", then tighten them the way you want them, peen them over, just like making a regular pin, they hold the micros exactly where you want them. Also, I found the razors I restore seem to oil spot. I can remove the micros just by using a cutoff tool. Pull the blade, clean it again, clean the scales and put it all back together in 10 minutes.

I must also admit that my peening skills are in development. The last 2 I did real pins on came out kind of lopsided. I didn't want that for this razor.

I do agree that it would probably have looked nicer, but also, I can take them off and redo them when I am better at it, eh??

Thanks for your opinions and feedback, it is important to me, and I do take it to heart!!

Best!!!

I knew it was gonna hurt to open this thread.

'No need to ask how it shaves. A simple whimper and whine will do.

I've not tasted a Henry yet, but I've also not tasted a Genco that didn't shave like a house a-fire.

Mike's got some sweet blades in the stable.