Thread: Inherited Grandfathers Keen Kutter, cousins are going to be shaved with it.

Hello, welcome on SRP wich is, as you can see, an international place.

First let me present you my condolences. But what a great idea to make remembrance of your ancestors that way.
I think there is somewhere on the forum a post explaining how to find other members in your vicinity. That will allow you to find help to hone your family treasure.
I wish you all the best for your quest.

If you cannot make it to Burkburnett, here is a link to find members in your area,

http://straightrazorpalace.com/memberlist.php?do=search

Hi and welcome. You have received some great advice. Be careful and hopefully you can pass it on one day

Sorry I've been absent....

I took the razor to a shop that sales straight edge razors, they had several new ones on display. I asked the clerk for details about the sharpening process. He said they did not do it on site, they collected for a man that did theirs. The clerk said the honing is done by hand using proper tools and that it is finished by stropping. I will try to find nearby members of this forum, I live in Oklahoma City, Ok. The clerk looked the blade over and remarked it was in very nice condition, he saw no reason it shouldn't hone well. I will keep you all posted and when the family gets together I will post photos of the event.

Hello from OKC, Parrotthead! I have a feeling that the state regulations don't permit barbers to use anything other than single-use blades that have to be discarded after each customer has been shaved with it. You and your cousins have a great idea to be shaved with your grandfather's old razor. (That will be a matter for discussion between you and your own barber.)

With regard to getting it refurbished and sharpened, all of the above advice is exactly right as far as I am concerned.

I've received your PM and will send you a reply with the name of one of our fellow SRP members who happens to be located in another state, who I believe to be among the best in the country at taking care of old razors. I have used his services on several razors, and feel very comfortable recommending him to others.

However, there may be someone here in OKC who is quite capable of repairing or replacing damaged scales and making the blade look and perform like it did when it was new. I am glad to know you have already found the shaving shop that has a connection with someone locally. That probably should be your preferred course of action, at least in the beginning. You should arrange to meet with him personally and ask him to show you some examples of his work before you make your decision.

Welcome to SRP. Best regards!

Ok, here is the latest....

Dropped the razor off at a local shop that sales high end shaving gear. They sell straight edge razors. The gentleman that took my razor looked it over carefully and remarked that it should sharpen just fine. He marvelled that it still had the original box it was sold in. He did not hazard a guess on the age of the razor.

Now for the event. I have a barber that has been in business 40+ years that will do the deed. We have reserved the day of April 1st (Yep, All Fools Day!) for the event. I am calling my cousins and trying to get it together. The barber has used a Shavette for all of their career and doesn't own a strop, so I had to purchase one. I would have loved to gone with a high end one but the Scotsman in me just wouldn't let loose with that sort of cash. Once I get the blade back I am to go the the shop and the barber will practice on me.

I need to find some good videos on how to properly strop a blade, I'm certain it's one of those things that if done wrong the damage is immediate.

So far my younger brother and one other member can't make it.

I thank all of you for your advice, I might have taken the razor to a knife shop if I hadn't come here first.

I will update this topic as event unfold and will post photos of the event.

Great to hear things are coming along. Check out the stropping area of the forum.
There are many stropping videos there.
Good luck and enjoy

Here ya go this is a good one

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ing-video.html

Study that video closely. The angle of the blade is determined by the plane connecting the spine to the edge and both have to maintain contact on the strop. If you lift the spine off of the strop, the edge can be rolled over. That is, the "V" shape of the edge can be rolled over into a "J" shape. One mis-stroke and the edge can be ruined.

Just be careful and you should be fine.

The strop and dressing came in the mail. I look forward to putting them to use. May practice on some of my better knives.
Went to some antique stores the other day and they a a large selection of razors for 20-30 bucks.....


And in the list of boneheaded things I have done, apparently I applied the dressing compound to both surfaces of the strop....sheesh....

So how many did you buy.!!