Thread: Need Help Please!!

So I picked up this Razor about a week ago and I knew when I bought it that the scales were damaged and the razor itself needed a lot of TLC. I was just wondering if I could purchase new scales for it? They dont have to be original but if I could get the same ones that would be great! Also I was wondering if anyone knows anything about this razor? Date/Maker/Name/etc. Please help me out guys!! And do you think that the blade is fixable? thanks Brett

Chances of finding original scales are minimal. And judging from the amount of grinding on that blade it probably isn't fixable. As they say, "it's been rode hard and put up wet". As stamped on your razor, it was made by Joseph Rodgers & Sons in Sheffield, England sometime after 1880. I would suggest you give this guy a decent burial and try again to find a razor in a more workable condition. IMHO

Regards - Walt

Thanks a lot! I think if anything I will just clean it up a bit and keep it for show purpose only. I really don't know why anyone would feel the need to grind the blade? All in all i didn't even pay for it, I bought another razor and had the guy i got it from throw that one in with it! So I guess its not much of a loss?

Wow, that razor looks like it was used in battle.

Chances of finding original scales in good condition: very low. However, you can always pay someone to put new scales on it.

I know its in bad shape, but if I had that razor, I'd hone it just to see if it shaves well. It doesn't hurt to try.

The picture only shows one side of the scales but, if the other side is not broken, you would just need a short piece of 1/16" brass, 2inside washers and 2 outer washers (looks like the lower ones are domed so that might be the hardest part in finding domed washers unless you have that gear) and some time with a peening hammer and that razor is back together. If nothing else, that will take you a ways down the road in learning how to restore.

I've seen recommendations here on the site and when I was working on vintage motorcycles I heard the same thing... "Don't throw 'anything' away!". You never know what someone (including yourself) will need, be willing to pay or trade for in the future.

You can find replacement scales like these here as an example:

Straight Razor Replacement Scales Black Plastic Handle with Pinning Hardware | eBay

... But, what is pretty tough to find are original scales in workable condition and, IMHO, barring what the other side looks like that is what you have there. And, if you were to put new, shiny scales on a rougher razor like that it would just look "off" most likely. You could even post in the Want To Trade section of the Classifieds here and find out what someone is willing to trade you for it.

Just depends on what you want to do now with the hobby and where you may be headed in the future but you definitely have the best of both worlds... A razor that is just missing a few basic, available parts... No financial or emotional attachment... The potential to learn a LOT more as time goes on.

I think that razor would look great as a display piece put together or, as henryconchile mentioned, I'd put it together and hone it and see what happens... You are truly in a No Lose situation!

Thank you all very much! I agree with you Prahston, I think I am going to go ahead and clean it up possibly try to hone it myself, and find some older scales that have the same "worn" look as the blade itself does. I love the fact that the razor is well over 100 years old, It really amazes me that it ended up in my hands after all that time. I haven't been collecting that long, so there isn't many razors i find that I will turn down. At least the ones I think are fixable! And as I had said before this razor was thrown into the deal as a freebie so I'm not losing anything with trying to restore it! My next step is to get some things together to start restoring my razors, I was going to check out the restoration section here on the site to get some help with that. And since I'm no expert in honing/stropping I may send all the razors off to Lynn and let him do his magic on em! He did the 1st razor I got and did an amazing job, so i trust he will do the same with these!

And again thank you guys so much! I am blown away by how helpful everyone on the site here is, and to be honest I dont think i would be as passionate about collecting/restoring razors if it weren't for you all! I will be sure to post some updated pics when I am done! Thanks again, Brett

Thank you, I agree with what you said. I am going to give it my best! And btw I like your caption at the bottom, but I'm from Philly! lol.

I have my doubts about that razor ever being properly honed again. The spine has been ground away in spots which will affect the overall geometry of the blade and prevent the setting of a proper bevel. Anyway, that's my humble opinion and I'm sticking to it (until somebody proves me wrong).

Regards - Walt

Walt,
I too have my doubts, but I guess im just hoping for the best. And if all fails I will clean it up and keep it as a no-hone show piece lol!

I agree with the other guys about the hone wear on the spine, that could cause some issues when honing. Its workable though, by taping the spine, it just might take an experienced hand to coax a shave ready edge out if it!

If you're looking to get some replacement scales without crazy outlay and keep it fairly DIY, check out The Invisible Edge. They sell scale kits at the link below.

Razor Scales & Pin kits

Good luck and keep us posted!