Thread: Any Good?

So, when I first showed an interest in learning to shave wit a straight, my uncle gave me an old antique that he had in one of his big display cases. He likes antiques a lot, and he actually had several straights in his collection. Anyway, he offered one to me, so I took it. I knew it would need a good cleaning and honing before I could even attempt to shave with it, so I figured I would use it as a practice blade to get my honing technique down. Well, I got to thinking the blade may actually be decent and I would hate to ruin it by practicing on it. So I figured I would see if I could get some info from you guys. I snapped some pictures which you can see below. The shank has Novelty Cutlery Co. Canton Ohio on it. I have never heard of this brand at all. The word novelty is what made me think the blade probably wasn't all that good to begin with. But after reading some posts about older blades, most people said that most older American blades were pretty decent. Anyway check out the pictures and let me know what you guys think. Should I learn on it or send it to one of you guys to clean and hone up for me?

Matt

Matt,

That is a very nice looking razor by most counts. I wouldn't consider it a practice razor if I were you. The blade looks to be straight and unchipped with little spine wear and only slight surface blemishes. I can't see any major rust in the photos. The scales are unique and good looking. The only issue I see is that the pivot pin may have been over-peened a bit to tighten the pivot.

Keep in mind, I'm a newb at this. However, that's my $0.02.

Take care,
John

I'd clean this up a bit and send it to Lynn to be honed for the first time, it looks far too good to be messed up. Excellent find.

I've never heard of the brand either, and the name gave me pause as well, but from the photos that looks like a really nice razor. There appear to be a few chips in the edge, but these can be cleaned up. I've got a couple of american razors with scales like that and really like the look.

It looks like it will make a nice shaver. The scales are pre-1914, because that´s when WWI started with one of the consequences being that Hrvatska (Croatia) and the rest of their former Yugoslavian holdings were liberated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

I've seen a few Novelty razors in my travels and they pop up every now and again on eBay. The majority of the ones I've seen have had some sort of advertisement where yours has the info on Peter Jelic, which makes me think that the Novelty Cutlery Company sold customized straights the way some places now sell customized pens.

Originally Posted by Steelforge

I'd clean this up a bit and send it to Lynn to be honed for the first time, it looks far too good to be messed up. Excellent find.

What do you guys recommend as far as cleaning it up. I haven't really messed with it yet. I will definitely send it off to someone though for honing . I am actually bidding on a blade on e-bay called SCHLENKER'S LUCKY-7 and the dealer says it has Germany on the shank. I don't really know it is any good or not, but I liked the title and scales. I wasn't planning on going very high on it, but figured it might make neat collection piece if I could get it for cheap. Here are some pictures.





The back scale would probably need replacing I am guessing, but hopefully it could be done so that it matched nicely with the front.

Originally Posted by Namdnas

Matt,

That is a very nice looking razor by most counts. I wouldn't consider it a practice razor if I were you. The blade looks to be straight and unchipped with little spine wear and only slight surface blemishes. I can't see any major rust in the photos. The scales are unique and good looking. The only issue I see is that the pivot pin may have been over-peened a bit to tighten the pivot.

Keep in mind, I'm a newb at this. However, that's my $0.02.

Take care,
John

Wow, you got that just from the photo. Yes, the pivot is a little tight, but not overly tight that it makes it hard to open.

I picked up a Novelty razor very similar to that one for $10 in an antique store. Near new in the box. Stropped up to be the sharpest razor in my small collection. Shaves as well as my technique lets it. I'm not using it frequently as I like a slightly narrower blade at this point in my pilgrimage.

- Dale

That Novelty razor could easily make it into your regular rotation. Good to learn on since there are some small nicks that look like they need to be honed out, but use it to develop your honing touch first. Nice catch on both.

X

Originally Posted by xman

That Novelty razor could easily make it into your regular rotation. Good to learn on since there are some small nicks that look like they need to be honed out, but use it to develop your honing touch first. Nice catch on both.

X

So, you think it would be ok for me to learn to practice honing on? I would hate to damage it some how.

Matt