Thread: Something to Smile about?

These 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.