Something to Smile about?

Attachment 137786Attachment 137787These are a few of the Razors I picked up in New Hope, Pennsylvania. I knew they weren't in the best shape, but since the price was so cheap I took a gamble and picked em up! As you all can see they have some pretty bad smiles? Are they still able to be honed in this condition? Also, what is the best way to put some shine back into them without doing a full restoration? They have some surface rust but its not to bad and I don't think that the polish I use will get them as pretty as I would like! Thank you very much -BRETT

Brett - I think you should take a step back and consider what you are buying. Cheap doesn't always equate to a bargain. Sometimes it just means you are buying someone else's problems at a very low price. Instead of buying four or five of these "bargains" why don't you parlay the sum you paid into buying one razor that is in good condition and can easily be made shave ready? I know that when we are starting out we all have lowered expectations, but over time we become more selective and particular about the style and condition of the razors we buy. I hope that I am not sounding judgmental, I just think you would be happier with a usable razor versus a fixable one.

Regards - Walt

I agree with Walt. I bought a small number of what I thought were bargain razors and they turned out to be Pakistani I Won't Hold My Edge and Will Dull Just By Looking At Me razors. With that lesson in mind I have since found several good English and German blades and am looking forward to smooth shaves in the future. I also wish I had heeded sound advice at the beginning and bought a reasonably priced new razor from the wide list of acceptable razors that SRP lists.

Yours, Razorfeld

Smiles aren't inherently bad, they were put on razors on purpose. That being said, yours do seem to have some uneven hone wear, and a fair bit at that. I would tuck those away and come back to them once you have developed your honing skills. Those are definitely not razors to learn on. They could be ok to learn restoration skills, though, as they appear to have lots of steel on them, and with the low price tag, ruining them wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Maybe you could send them out to get reground.

I dont disagree with everything you are saying, trust me. But I got these 2 razors with a nice box that holds both of them for $8. I mean if they were more expensive I wouldnt have got em. I more or less just enjoy the collecting part of it all then anything else. it may sound dumb to some of you but its what I like. And I have plenty of good razors that are shave ready. If I didnt have them then things would probably be different. thanks -BRETT

Truth be told Razorfeld, Both these razors are decent English razors. Not Pakistani. And one of them has ivory scales. They are both totally salvageable if done by a professional. As I told Walt I enjoy the collecting part and was more interested in seeing if someone could give me some advice on whether or not they could be honed to shave with? I wasn't asking if they are razors that you personally would purchase. I have a handful of razors I shave with, the rest of them I just want to clean up and display. And all in all I will more than likely clean these up and maybe even try to trade them for others that I am looking for. But I appreciate the advice from you. Thanks -BRETT

holli4pirating, That is exactly what I think I will do with them. Just shine em up and put em on display! Thanks alot -BRETT

Baxxer, do you have someone in mind to do that for me? I dunno if I want these particular razors done but it would be great to know for the future! thanks -BRETT

Everyone has good advice on this. To put my 2 cents in, I know I have purchased less than desirable razors, but only after I have several honed and usable razors that are in my rotation. I look at it as a challenge and hobby to try and restore some of them. If I fail, then I still have a collector piece or a piece to practice with, and I enjoyed the journey. Sometimes you learn the most on the worst cases, even if they are not successfully brought back to life. At $8.00 I think it was worth it to add to your collection, whether you restore or not. Have fun.

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Originally Posted by barberbrett

Baxxer, do you have someone in mind to do that for me? I dunno if I want these particular razors done but it would be great to know for the future! thanks -BRETT

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I think Brad(undream) does regrinds, maybe you could send him a pm and ask.

Found a thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...er-g-10-a.html

Boy, do I understand the collecting part. When I finally got on eBay I went wild when on a whim I looked for the tea I grew up with. Low and behold, there they were, all the old tin boxes that I remembered and in so many different sizes. Its like M&Ms, one doesn't cut it. I now have all the different sizes and even one that is still wrapped in its original paper (I bet that tea inside is staler than my jokes). Finances of a retired person has finally taught me control and now I just drool over all the nice collections I see on this form. I retrofit decent size wooden cigar boxes for storage and display (repaint, decorate, divided compartments and lined with silverwear anti tarnish cloth. Something that can be done inexpensively if you do it yourself. Just a suggestion for organizing your collection. Look forward to see what you do with those two razors.

How funny, I have like 15 cigar boxes! The local cigar shop sells them for about $1 when they are done with the stogies! So for whatever reason I thought that cigar bozes and razors just go together? but I have an antique cabinet that I use to display some of my nicer razors, brushes, and safety razors. I dont know how to send you a pic of it directly but if you do know how Id be happy to send that pic if you wanted to see it? I think its a really cool piece and feel like I got real lucky pickin it up at a yard sale.

barberbrett, I am going to PM you with my email address and you can reply and attach a photo of your cabinet. Interested in seeing it. Love repurposing old stuff. You lucked out with the stogie dealer at $1 per box. On eBay auctions they can escalate quite a bit. Like anything, if its out there somebody will want to collect it and possibly pay any price for it. (And I'm guilty as sin in some respects on that subject.)

Razorfeld, I don't know where you live, but If you need any cigar boxes let me know! I can grab a bunch and possibly send them to you if you wanted? I have about 10 or so now but like I said the local cigar shop sells them for next to nothing. Let me know? By the way I didnt get your email address yet?

Barberbrett, you will get a PM from me shortly with my personal email address in it. Thank you for the offer I might take you up on it if you aren't too far away from me. Postage can be a bear at time. Not all boxes are a good size for repurposing to fit straights and if I need a couple I'll let you know what general sizes are needed. Thank you for such a generous offer, they can get expensive on eBay and I don't live anywhere near a good cigar shop (small town living has it's drawbacks). Thank you again:rock:

They are both saveable and can be made shave ready. The have some wear but will not affect the edge, especially if you tape them. As said, smiles are not a defect they are, to many an enhancement.

Some wet & dry sandpaper, metal polish and time will make them shine. Get busy.

Enjoy