'The Queen Razor' restoration

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07-19-2011, 01:27 AM
Caydel

'The Queen Razor' restoration

Hello All!

Last month, I found this razor stuck in a makeshift wooden handle in a pile of old farm tools at an antique market. It looked like someone had attempted to use it as a utility knife of some sort, but on closer inspection, I realized that it was actually in relatively good shape, no hone wear, major chips, or other issues other than some tarnish and pitting. I quickly fell in love with 'The Queen' and she followed me home.

I hand sanded it through a 150-220-320-400-600-800-1200-1500 grit progression, that took somewhere between 10-15 hours, followed by another hour or so with Blue Magic metal polish. I was able to remove all pitting except a small patch on the front near the heel, which you can see in the reflection picture.

At the end of the restoration, I was a little disappointed with the frown; while it was slightly evident when I bought the razor, it became more pronounced during the sanding process. I'll be sending this one out to be honed; I hope the frown isn't too problematic.

I was expecting the pinning to be worse. I didn't have a chasing hammer, but tried with a 'normal' hammer figuring that if it turned out to be a disaster, I'd just unpin, order a proper chasing hammer, and do it right. However, I was quite happy with the results.

Thanks to Undream for the scales; they really feel like they fit the razor perfectly. I'm glad I was able to give a set of old scales new life!

Edit: I expect any information concerning the 'The Queen Razor' branding is lost to history, but if anyone *does* know anything about this mark, I'd live to hear it!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b...0/IMG_0456.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m...0/IMG_0458.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8...0/IMG_9631.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4...0/IMG_9634.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4...0/IMG_9638.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M...0/IMG_9640.JPG
07-19-2011, 02:03 AM
ReardenSteel

Your restoration looks good so far, I'm sure whomever you send it out to be honed by can address the frown issues. Nice save and let us know how it shaves!
07-19-2011, 02:43 AM
bondpunk

looks great! nice job on your finish.
07-19-2011, 02:46 AM
tumtatty

What a Transformation! That is awesome :)
07-19-2011, 02:52 AM
Str8Raz0r

Back from the dead......very nice. Looks great.
07-19-2011, 08:43 AM
easyace

Well done, actually, well done for even spotting it, never mind the great job you did after that.
07-19-2011, 11:04 AM
baldy

I'm sure a good honing will turn that into a great shaver. The razor looks great, well done.
07-19-2011, 01:10 PM
Caydel

Thanks for the positive words, all.

It was a fun razor to work on. I fell in love with the design of her when I saw her in the antique market; I love this type of profile, and the nose grind seems pretty unique. I wish I had a bit more information about where she's from, but that's life.
07-19-2011, 01:51 PM
Maxi

Wow! nice save!

Get'er honed up and let us know how the shave is.
07-19-2011, 01:54 PM
WhiskerBiscuit

The original handle on the blade looks to me like it was made for someone with a disability. Possibly for a person with an issue with their hands. IMO

Nice restore job
07-19-2011, 01:59 PM
Caydel

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiskerBiscuit

The original handle on the blade looks to me like it was made for someone with a disability. Possibly for a person with an issue with their hands. IMO

Nice restore job

I actually considered that... but there were scratch patterns on the blade that were consistent with 'sawing'-type motions. Like he tried to use if for cutting wire or something.