Thread: Found my grand-grandfather's old razor!

Hello from Åbo(Turku), Finland!

The last 3 weeks I have been reading a lot in this forum and soon i will be ready to try shaving like a man, haven't bought any supplies yet thou. Anyway, I asked my grandfather if he ever used a straight razor, he never did :/ but he rememberd his father do it. So we started looking and found my grand-grandfathers old razor.

It is an D. Peres "The Columbia" Solingen 5/8. From the 1920's.




So I have some questions:

1. Do any of you know a place (in Finland, or many even in turku) where I can get this honed and shave ready?
2. Can I learn to shave with this razor? Is D. Peres razors any good? Any experiences?
3. If I should by another to start with I have my eyes on the Dovo carpe deim 5/8 or the Ralf Aust Solingen 6/8 round point. Any recommendations?

Thanx a lot for all the great information on this site!

That razor seems like it would be great for learning. A 5/8" round toe Solingen blade, I don't think you could ask for too much more. Though I don't think D. Peres is a famous blade, that doesn't preclude it from being a good shaver.

You might need to accept the idea of mailing it off to be honed. There just aren't many people able to hone razors anymore. Have a look in member services on this website for a honmeister. I think there is someone in Norway, if I remember correctly.

You might consider having a light restore done on the razor since it was your great-grandfather's - clean and polish the blade, clean and polish the scales, reprint the scales...it would be kind of a nice thing to do, since it is a family blade.

Darren

Silly auto correct: I meant "repin" the scales.

Welcome to the most friendly, helpful and informative site on the web!!

You will find members here of all different backgrounds, ages and occupations from all corners of the world and all with a quest for more knowledge about using and maintaining a straight razor!

If you take the time to search, 99.9% of your questions can be found in the Library (WIKI) however feel free to ask us about whatever it is that you are wondering about or having a problem with. It does help if you’ve done some research before hand so it narrows the problem down a bit.


There is help 'locally'! Well at least much much closer than here in the states!

Check this link out!

Nordic region

You will find that you are not anywhere near 'alone' where you are!

I'm going to send a PM to a member who I'll bet good money will help you!

I thank you for considering not only learning an ancient art but doing so with an heirloom razor! Your great grandfather is looking at you and I'm sure that he his very pleased with you!

Here's how my great grandfather's razor was brought back from the dead!

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...ered-horn.html

Fast forward a couple of years and here's what I did for a woman where I live.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...n-cleanup.html

Keep the faith! Don't let anyone try to tell you that your great grandfathers razor won't give you a nice shave! If it wouldn't he would have thrown it away!

Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades!

Originally Posted by JackeHj

Snip...

1. Do any of you know a place (in Finland, or many even in turku) where I can get this honed and shave ready?
2. Can I learn to shave with this razor? Is D. Peres razors any good? Any experiences?
3. If I should by another to start with I have my eyes on the Dovo carpe deim 5/8 or the Ralf Aust Solingen 6/8 round point. Any recommendations?

Thanx a lot for all the great information on this site!

Hi, and welcome to SRP.

We have a few Finnish members on here, I'm sure some of them will chime in eventually.

1)
If you are not able to locate anyone to hone the razor for you locally, I'd be more than happy to help you out with that.
No charge, of course, only actual return shipping-cost

2)
D.Peres made some fine shavers.
I have one, not the same model though, and that shaves with the best of them.

3)
The one you have wil do fine, but should you want another one, often recommended around here, both of those you refer to are fine shavers.
Pick the one you like the looks of, they will both shave you splendidly

Well you can't beat a free honing to get yah started !!!!! That's what we do for our shaving brothers. That will be a fine shaver too,just clean it up by hand( no power tools) and a very special razor to boot!!! Enjoy

Originally Posted by JackeHj

Hello from Åbo(Turku), Finland!

The last 3 weeks I have been reading a lot in this forum and soon i will be ready to try shaving like a man, haven't bought any supplies yet thou. Anyway, I asked my grandfather if he ever used a straight razor, he never did :/ but he rememberd his father do it. So we started looking and found my grand-grandfathers old razor.

It is an D. Peres "The Columbia" Solingen 5/8. From the 1920's.




So I have some questions:

1. Do any of you know a place (in Finland, or many even in turku) where I can get this honed and shave ready?
2. Can I learn to shave with this razor? Is D. Peres razors any good? Any experiences?
3. If I should by another to start with I have my eyes on the Dovo carpe deim 5/8 or the Ralf Aust Solingen 6/8 round point. Any recommendations?

Thanx a lot for all the great information on this site!

That's a great looking razor, and looks like one of fine quality. I don't know where you can get it honed in Finland, but maybe you could send it to one of our members in the U.S. to have it done. In time, you will want to be able to maintain your own blades.

The first thing I noticed is the thumb notch in the shank. That may or may not make it more difficult to strop, so be careful not to nick the strop.

I definitely think you should have a second razor, so you can always have one on hand that is shave ready, and so you can explore and find out which kinds of razors you like best. A round point is best for a beginner because with a sharp point it can bite you until you become experienced.

Since your great grandfather left you with a 5/8 razor, I would get a 6/8 as my second razor so you can try two different sizes to see what you like best. 5/8 is my favorite size, but most members here like 6/8 better.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Originally Posted by Birnando

1)
If you are not able to locate anyone to hone the razor for you locally, I'd be more than happy to help you out with that.
No charge, of course, only actual return shipping-cost

Thank you! I'd be grateful

I start to think it would be necessary to clean, polish and repin it as TaipeiJake suggested (dont know how to do multiple quotes..). The scales are dirty inside and on some places as you can se on the pics. And of course the restoration should be done before honing. Right?
Is this difficult to do? Can it be done without the "the columbia" mark being destroyed? From where do I by the pins, or the material to them? Im sure Ill find a lot of information in this area here on STP... But would it be a good idea to let someone more experienced do it? In case I would screw it up and not get it properly done? I dont want to damage a family blade like this...

Originally Posted by JackeHj

Thank you! I'd be grateful

I start to think it would be necessary to clean, polish and repin it as TaipeiJake suggested (dont know how to do multiple quotes..). The scales are dirty inside and on some places as you can se on the pics. And of course the restoration should be done before honing. Right?
Is this difficult to do? Can it be done without the "the columbia" mark being destroyed? From where do I by the pins, or the material to them? Im sure Ill find a lot of information in this area here on STP... But would it be a good idea to let someone more experienced do it? In case I would screw it up and not get it properly done? I dont want to damage a family blade like this...

You won't regret the decision to send that heirloom to send that Razor to Birnando!!!!! Let HIM do the cleaning!!! That razor doesn't need much work at all! Please remember that they don't all need to have a perfect and near mirror finish! I have several with patina that I just love!!

Okej! Just wasn't sure if Birnando vas willing to do the cleaning as well... Or how much or little work it would be...
If you, Birnando are willing to do it Im very thankful!!! Yes, you're right it dont need to be mirror polished...