Thread: Hello a few questions from Massachusetts from another new convert...

Ok, So hello all I am John. I have used a de for a few months now, and it has changed my life, literally. I recently decided almost on a whim to buy a few straights, and see if I could sort of clean them up and maybe put them to use. I love the idea of being responsible for a tool, and of possessing a skill that is largely lost in these times. So thats why I would like to get going with a straight razor. Here are my questions. Where should I get a strop, and would one from an antique shop work? What should I expect to spend? I did buy 3 old blades, two Genco's and a Joseph Elliot. I bought a Genco that had a broken scale, then the second a close match that had a worse off blade but better scales figuring I could sort of make one useable razor from the two. Then theres the Elliot, its a frame back NOT a faux, but an actual two piece frame back, scales junk, blade dull as all heck, but smooth and to an amateurs eye just needs a hone, no chips, no rust, no pitting, actually rather beautiful, and rustic. I have not been able to find any thing quite like it, closest I found was that article by the judge with the black and white pictures, I think but the pictures are poor quality so hard to tell. This leads me to my next question. Whom shall I have hone this for me? Scales be damned, something about this razor speaks to me. And lastly would anyone have any idea of just what I have and perhaps a rough date? It reads, simply; the hallmark (c+c), Joseph Elliot (top), Silver steel (below). Pardon me if my lingo is off I'm new!!! Thanks in advance if anyone can or does offer, any help, or guidance.

Welcome aboard, straight razor design sells nice 3 inch wide strops. And pm glen @ gssixgun ,he is one of the pro honers on this site and he also restores and makes new scales for straights. HAVE fun

Your razors will need quite some work. Have you had a look at the classifieds? Usually nice razors at decent prices. If vendor claims they are shave-ready they usually are. But remember: everyone here has their own definition of shave readiness.

thanks for the advice. I'll check the classifieds and attempt to get at least one of mine sharpened.

Originally Posted by spring

... actually rather beautiful, and rustic...

I love that you said that. I'm really zeroing in on old, French or Spanish toe, big-ish, maybe Frameback, maybe French razors with really nice, pronounced, even patina at the moment. I really like the way they look in their 'natural state'.

An antique strop would be cool, but maybe get a new one first to eliminate the stop if you have any stropping issues? I'm thinking an old strop may have wrinkles, etc. Who you have hone it for you depends I guess on how soon you want it back and where you are. There's a whole BUNCH of experts right here. Is there any country of manufacture on the blade? There's a particular date where maker's had to state the country, so if there's no country stated it's before that date (1891). I forget the name of the 'accord' or rule or statute or whatever it was; I'm sure someone who know what they're on about will inform you.

I'd like to see a photo of your razors, posting photos is de rigueur, you know :-)