Thread: help with re-edging vintage razor

I have been shaving with a double edge safety razor for a few years and have been wanting to buy a straight razor for some time. last weekend I was at a Civil War reenactment and found a guy selling a few vintage straight razors. I found one that looked in fair condition with just a few places of slight surface rust on the hollow ground sides which I was able to pollish off easily. The eage was fairly sharp but thare are a few smaill chips in the edge and I would like to find out if and how I can re-edge the razor. There is a brand name on it but I don't have it in front of me right now. Another guy that I know at the reeactment told me that he has the same brand and he believes that it was made in the '20s or '30s and that his shaves quite well.

Thanks for any help.
Mike

While most vintages are capable of taking and keeping a fine edge, its impossible to tell without looking at it or at least some pictures.

Welcome!!

Definitely post some pictures if possible. There are chips and there are C H I P S, some can be fixed, some can't. Chips aren't an easy fix for a beginner especially if they are 1/32" or bigger. You should be able to find many chip repair threads and probably some videos as well on the forum.

Mike,
Welcome to SRP

If you are serious about getting into straight shaving let us know where you are located at.
There is a fair chance we will have a member close to you that can help out.
Spend some time reading in the Library Linked at the top of the page.
You will need strop, brush and soap or cream as well.
If you can post pictures up we should be able to give you a better idea of what is needed in regards to the razor.
Clarity of the edge and spine will help the most.
If you would like us to try and give you an approximate age full razor picture and close up of the markings on the tang would be helpful.

Please do bear in mind that we do not do valuations on the forum.

Thanks for the replies. I already have been shaving with a mug, soap and brush with my safety razor so I have those. I will have to get a strop because the one that I currently have is used is for my bushcraft knives and round knife (for leather working). I will take some pictures and post them here. I don't care about value since I only paid $16 for the thing and I know that it is not an expensive model. The scales are some sore of black plastic like material.

Well the prep work is taken care of then

As far as the plastic, Bake lite, celluloid, and some form of vulcanized hard rubber.

If your strop is decent quality, flat, and clean you may be able to hold off on that as well.

I am looking forward to the pictures.

Pat

Pictures:
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ps571d223a.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4be1ad7b.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3eac50b6.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ps258d124d.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ps831cdcbb.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3d737b6d.jpg

Looks like it will hone up. A generic early 20th century good razor. I see some deep pitting at the bevel area near the tip for sure and think that you may lose a bit of size getting to solid steel. maybe as much as 1/32"
I would hone it until you have solid steel bevel all along the edge and then clean it up . That way you will know whether it is worth the effort.
YMMV Have fun
~Richard

I found this information about the company that made the razor.
http://jwissandsons.com/razors/black/

How do you determine the correct angle to hone each side and how do you hold those angles?