Thread: Hello from Bucharest!

Hi everyone, and kudos for having such a great place with so much stuff about cool toys for manly men

Recently, I've found my grand-grandfather razors, one in good shape and one so-so, and, remembering him as he shaved with them, with all the ritual, I kinda asked myself if people still use these things... one google later, sure enough there's a whole forum about it and I read... and read... and read... and I can't get enough

Long story short, 3 weeks later I have a strop, a blue belgian stone, two *probably* honed razors (one polished and the other one with the rust gone , at least) and an almost completely shaved left arm. My mates from work look funny at me Now all that's left is for the beard to grow, hope I'll not chop myself too hard the first time (fingers crossed).

I'm including a couple of pictures of the arsenal, not because they're great lookers, but rather for the folks who might be interested about these brands (couldn't find them in the database).

1. This one, if its box is original, seems to be a 6/8" (?) russian "STIZ". Otherwise, might be chinese - can't really tell. It has two crossed arrows and "66" stamped on it. It was in quite good condition, only polished it a bit before honing.



2. The second one I believe to be a 5/8" Richard Schmitz "Caschmiso" made in Solingen. Probably from late 40's, it looks like it shaved some beard... I had to put a bit of work to clean it up, it still has quite a bit of pitting but I'm fine with it. Hope to be able to shave with it, but will probably need some bevel setting on a 1000 stone.



Some things I've noted during the cleaning process (I've used a Dremel 300):

- Don't use a brass wire brush. While being softer on the blade, it will "plate" it with brass
- What seemed to work: carbon steel wire brush first, then abrasive brush grit 220 (473S), then the impregnated polishing wheel (520). This was by trial and error, so it's not necessarily gospel.
- Put the razor down while polishing, don't hold it in your hand, or else!

Hope I didn't bore you much and have a good week ahead!

Regards,
Adrian

Hello, Adrian, and welcome to Straight Razor Place. Indeed, you have found the right spot for the world of wet shaving with the straight razor. We're delighted to have you with us and share in your experience with your straight razors. Any questions, please ask away. The place is packed with experts. I am sure someone will comment on the razors pictured. Stay well.

Hello, Adrian. Welcome to SRP, and good luck with the razors. Are you an expatriate?

Thanks! No, I'm not an expat, although my bones would probably secretly wish so due to the excessively humid summers we had here in Bucharest in the last few years

Hi Adrian,

And welcome to SRP.
You have a good start with these beautiful family jewels of yours. I have Russian Stiz razor and it has no such crossed arrows or 66 but simply "Stiz" (in Cyrillic). If this was your great grandfathers razor i find it hard to believe it's Chinese.
There are several folks here who really know a lot about razor manufacturers. Has there ever been razor cutleries in Romania? Can you get more detailed pic of the crossed arrows?

Originally Posted by Sailor

Hi Adrian,

And welcome to SRP.
You have a good start with these beautiful family jewels of yours. I have Russian Stiz razor and it has no such crossed arrows or 66 but simply "Stiz" (in Cyrillic). If this was your great grandfathers razor i find it hard to believe it's Chinese.
There are several folks here who really know a lot about razor manufacturers. Has there ever been razor cutleries in Romania? Can you get more detailed pic of the crossed arrows?

Hello and thanks!

Here's a closeup of the stamped logo:


There weren't, to the best of my knowledge, any straight razors produced in Romania. The box in which I found the razor has "Factory of steel products" written in russian on it so that's why I thought it'd be a STIZ. The logo puzzles me, however, doesn't look like anything I was able to find on the web. My grand-grandfather passed in '82, and there were quite a few chinese products on the romanian market at the time, so there's a possibility.. He shaved with a straight till the end

I tried to shave with both of them couple of hours ago, and surprise, the Solingen worked reasonably well (shaved both cheeks) but the other one brought tears in my eyes so back on the hone with it. Maybe it's stainless and takes more work.

Now I have a mild razor burn, but I'm happy

WElcome and good luck with the razors! I wish I had one my grandfather used!

Welcome, great looking razors.

LATER EDIT:

After more searching here and on ebay, it turns out that the one with the black handles and the crossed arrows logo is a "Double Arrow" chinese blade actually. From what I read, they don't have that bad a reputation after all, they only require more work on the hone.

Originally Posted by Sailor

Hi Adrian,

And welcome to SRP.
You have a good start with these beautiful family jewels of yours. I have Russian Stiz razor and it has no such crossed arrows or 66 but simply "Stiz" (in Cyrillic). If this was your great grandfathers razor i find it hard to believe it's Chinese.
There are several folks here who really know a lot about razor manufacturers. Has there ever been razor cutleries in Romania? Can you get more detailed pic of the crossed arrows?

Romanian straight razor made in Brasov: