200 Years old requires PATIENCE !!!!

The stamps show London - Acier-Fond* (looks most like a U) this razor was most likely built between 1790-1800 (TY Manah)

This was a Vintage Restore that Brian asked me to if at all possible to save the original horn scales...
This took 30 seconds to get the razor free of the pivot pin, and 5 days to get the scales done :(
I honestly took 3 days getting the bottom pin free of the scales, tap tap tap, file, then soak overnight with Kroil on the pin, twice a day with this process, finally dropped the pin free without cracking the scales.. Then 2 days soaking in Neats foot oil after light sanding, final polish sanding, and buffing brought the horn back to a nice high gloss... I re-pinned as close to the old original steel stuff, as we use now :) SS stacked washers and NiAg pins...

The razor was lightly buffed to a satin sheen, and the honing will be done on my select grade Coticule tonight.... I am looking forward to a 200+ year old shave in the AM :)

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Looks great, your patience certainly paid off. The blade has an elegance about it, how difficult will that be to hone?

Absolutely fabulous ! miam miam :dropjaw:

Looks absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for all your hard work!

I am jealous, however, that you get to shave with her first. :)

Can’t wait to see her in person.

Brian

Not only does that blade look amazing but that brush is phenomenal.

WOW! Looks like new. Great work Glen!

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Originally Posted by diyguy;849081[SIZE=3

I am jealous, however, that you get to shave with her first. :)[/SIZE]

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Hehehe there is that perk when you restore... :rofl2: I love being able to test so many different edges...


Easyace, they are not really difficult to hone, it is just a matter of following the curve in the edge and knowing when to stop, :) The Coticule is about perfect for the softer steel on these, if you try and push too much of a edge onto them they tend to get harsh instead of the smooth that they are known for.. One of these times I am going to see how a Charnley Forest works on one :)

Beautiful work as always and great tips on "how it's done"!

You've done it again, Glen. By the way haven't we seen that brush before? Great job. That is one great looking old razor. Don't forget to let us know how she shaves.

Wow. That is pretty feakin' cool Glen.

Way to save a piece of history G ! You deserve that first shave :)

Very impressive. I love the fact that history is preserved so well and in such respect. Really makes you wonder what these blades have seen through the ages.

Super gorgeous work. And the razor is a piece of art and history as well.

Wowww Glen,
200+ yrs of age and she looks like a factory finish:tu. Beautiful restore :bow

Nicely done. I love complete vintage restores and these old pre 1800s razors.

Love the shape of that blade! Awesome work :-)

Wow Glen. That's a stunning razor, beautifully restored.

Sensational job the restore Glen. I think the time taken to retain the original horn scales was well worth the effort, really nice. Love the odd blade shape. Well done.

Jizas, that's awesome! I very much like the falchion shape of those oldies. Do say if you decide to part with the brush :)

So you know acier fondu means melted steel!! interesting how its marked London and acier fondu in french????????

I dig it :tu

Another amazing resurrection... before pic?

Excellent work. Kudos on having the patience to work on a pin for 3 days... I usually limit myself to about 3 hours on one pin. Nice work.

Had I known what was sitting in my mailbox all the while, I would have definitely been doing something else besides posting pictures of my own abominations in this sub-forum last night. I would have been treating myself to an amazing shave with a little package from Glen. Instead, I didn’t discover the little treat until this morning.

I was so excited I could barely talk. Call me a nerd, but I just get the biggest kick out of prospect of shaving with something that was made when George Washington was still alive. I just think that is way cool.

You guys see the photos that Glen posted, but the Acier Fondu razor is even more gorgeous in person – truly it is! Glen did an amazing job bringing this razor back to life. The razor – especially the horn - is so shiny that it looks brand new. Thanks again, Glen, for your hard work. You rock!

So, how’d it shave? Well, I announced to the family that Dad was going to teleport back a couple of centuries and disappeared upstairs for a while. I then holed myself up in the bathroom experimenting with this little gem. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know if a no-name 200+ year old piece of “melted steel” would shave well or not. I knew it would shave well coming from Glen, of course, but would I experience that “Holy @$#%, that was an awesome shave” feeling? Well, I’m happy to report the latter.

But I will let my wife’s comments describe the shave quality:

I stroll out of the bathroom and say, “Honey, if you ever wondered whether or not guys in the 1700s ran around with scruffy faces or not, here’s your chance to tell first hand.”

When it comes to razors, my wife tolerates my hobby but she really doesn’t get what all the fuss is about. She humored me and tested my face with a little kiss …….. and then another ……… then another……….. then another. …………. “Wow!,” she exclaims. “That’s very nice, Sweetheart. And you smell good too. It’s no wonder they had so many babies back then.” Yes, gentlemen, she actually said that and what happened next is not fit for virgin ears. :-)

Glen, I may just have to keep a steady supply of razors coming your way for honing, if you know what I’m getting at. What’s your throughput? Can you fill my mailbox with a new one every day? That option might turn costly …. it might be easier to simply tell my wife that ALL my razors were made in the 1700s. :-)

Thanks again, Glen.

PS: Here is a link to some post-shave photos of myself (here)

Sounds like the beginning of a perfect day to me !!! no pics!!!!!!!

This is a shaving forum. I'm probably one of the youngest here. I'm doubting there are any virgin ears present. :p

Good to hear it shaved just as good as it looks. That thing is nothing short of remarkable. Good find.

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Originally Posted by Martin103

Sounds like the beginning of a perfect day to me !!! no pics!!!!!!!

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I don't think you want to see pics of my morning. LOL

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Originally Posted by diyguy

When it comes to razors, my wife tolerates my hobby but she really doesn’t get what all the fuss is about. She humored me and tested my face with a little kiss …….. and then another ……… then another……….. then another. …………. “Wow!,” she exclaims. “That’s very nice, Sweetheart. And you smell good too. It’s no wonder they had so many babies back then.” Yes, gentlemen, she actually said that and what happened next is not fit for virgin ears. :-)
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Well if this isn´t a success story with a happy ending then I don´t know what the sharp end of a razor is even if I sat on one!!
Glen I will throw my hat in with everyone else and congratulate you on ANOTHER great restore.
You really do the shaving community proud!

diyguy I would venture to say that you must be very happy that you didn´t "Do It Yourself" this time. Congrats on your historic shaving pearl and thank you very much for sharing with us
Really a very satisfying and motivating story :tu:

I know this is an old thread, but WOW!!! That's a great looking blade!!!

No surprise. As always amazing work.

Restorations like this really make me wish I had the patience to create works of art like this. Major respect for your efforts!

The Acier Fondu means a type of crucible steel. A wonderful old piece which has been correctly restored! Hat's off :tu
Also, your decision on going old school with the Coti is very admirable and downright wise! ;)

Damn! I just realized. This IS an old thread! A good one, I seem to have missed it the first time!

Wow, that's truly amazing. You're skilled artist!

Nice looking razor.

Patience?
I restored my last full hollow ground John Barber on a belt sander. I didn't feel like spending the time handsanding.
Not something I'd recommend anyone doing btw :D Definitely not something I'd risk with someone else's razor.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Nice looking razor.

Patience?
I restored my last full hollow ground John Barber on a belt sander. I didn't feel like spending the time handsanding.
Not something I'd recommend anyone doing btw :D Definitely not something I'd risk with someone else's razor.

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I must admit I am a bit surprised by this Bruno, as my impression of you is that you tend to err on the meticulous side of restoration.
I hope your John Barber came out no worse for wear :)

Yes, I tend to err on the side of caution. ESPECIALLY when handling someone else's razor.
This one was mine and I only needed to get rid of surface oxidation. So I used an 800 grit belt, and VERY light pressure.
I bought it cheaply and didn't have a lot time...
It did came out very nice, and afterwards I realized that it hadn't been the smartest way to do it.

Otoh, I am working on a project with expensive steel, and I am essentially grinding the razor by hand with a rubber rod and 40 grit paper.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Yes, I tend to err on the side of caution. ESPECIALLY when handling someone else's razor.
This one was mine and I only needed to get rid of surface oxidation. So I used an 800 grit belt, and VERY light pressure.
I bought it cheaply and didn't have a lot time...
It did came out very nice, and afterwards I realized that it hadn't been the smartest way to do it.

Otoh, I am working on a project with expensive steel, and I am essentially grinding the razor by hand with a rubber rod and 40 grit paper.

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Thank you Bruno for putting my mind at ease :)
Your project with expensive steel sounds intriguing..............lets hope this time its more "manageable" than that axehead you were wielding around your whiskers!!

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Originally Posted by bonitomio

Thank you Bruno for putting my mind at ease :)
Your project with expensive steel sounds intriguing..............lets hope this time its more "manageable" than that axehead you were wielding around your whiskers!!

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I'll post it here when it is done. Nearly there. I just haven't found the time yet to make the scales.