Thread: New Member

Hi I am a new member from London but now living in Steamboat Springs Co. I have been interested in straight razors for a while but have never owned one until recently, when a friend gave me a B.J Eyre Challenge straight razor. I really want to restore it to it's former glory and any advice on how would be much appreciated. Both scales are intact with no cracks but slightly warped and a small chip on the inside of the upper edge of the rear(?) scale. The pins are tight as is the wedge and the blade falls smoothly. There are some light scratches on the back of the blade and some light pitting on the front. I have posted one picture, but for some reason all of my other pictures have come out tiny!!! Will post the other pictures as soon as I figure it out. So any way Hi to you all and I look forward to being a member of the straight razor community.

Welcome Aboard, and a fine looking straight!!!

Welcome to SRP! You can check out the WIKI here for help on how you'd go about cleaning it up or restoring it. Might I suggest you send it out to be proffessionally honed so that you at least have a good starting point to shave with. Nice looking razor by the way

Like the others have already said, welcome, and that's a beaut of a first razor. If it wasn't for the bit of rust near the pivot I'd say just leave it as is and hone it. With that, I think that's a razor worthy of getting really shined up and restored a bit. You can do it yourself, but I don't think I'd pick something that nice to learn on. I'd learn how to clean and restore a razor and ebay garbage you won't feel bad about ruining.

Welcome to Straight Razor Place!

Wow, I actually like the patina on that blade you've got there, and wouldn't do much other than a light cleaning and thorough honing!

Yeah, that is a beaut of a blade! I agree with the last poster, leave the patina--but do clean up the rust around the pivot. You might be able to do that with some 600-grit wet sandpaper, snuck into the gap like dental floss. I'm a newb at restoration, though, so may be spouting unholy travesties instead of reasonable suggestions.

Welcome to SRP and to Colorado! I'm over yonder in Grand Junction--PM me if you're ever heading this way and you can try out some different grinds, strops, or hones.

Best wishes to you.

Thanks to you all for the warm welcome!!! I have given the blade a light cleaning and it is in really good condition. I read about bending/warping in the tang or blade in razors this old, but it seems to be pretty dead straight. I agree with CDogg and roughkype and I want to keep the patina on the blade. I'm actually a chef and use several high carbon knives and have always enjoyed the look of them. The scales concern me a little, no cracks but there is quite a bit of warping and a small slice off the edge of one side where the blade has nicked it. This corresponds to a nick out of the blade (you can just make it out on the pic) which is so shallow I imagine it would be worked out on a good honing. Is it worth trying to straighten the scales or would replacements be the best option? Lastly, any suggestions welcome for a good honer to send it of to? Thanks again to everybody and I look forward to a really decent shave!!!