Thread: Bought my first Vintage Razor!! Geo Wostenholm & Son I-XL

I currently own two new razors that work well. I recently purchased a few stone so I figured it was time to start buying vintage razors. I don't really know what to look for. I try an look for little or no chips, rust, or pitting. I also look for scales that appear to be in decent shape. I also look at razors either made in Sheffield or Solingen. Obviously I look at price too.

Vintage Geo Wostenholm Son I XL Straight Razor with Box Sheffield England | eBay

How did I do on this one?
Will some flitz and honing bring this razor back to life?

Any way to clean/restore the scales?

Thanks

I would say you did quite well. I would say on a scale of 1- 10, 10 being the best deal, you scored an 8.5
It seems to be a more recent Wosty. Should clean up well and shave nice.
I never used Flitz, so I cant say.
The scales look pretty clean already. I would polish them with your favorite car polish.
Get inside the scales with a microfiber cloth with some polish/wax on it.
Doesn't appear from the pics to be active rust at the pin, so no need to depin to clean it.

Beware, those scales are yellow. Yellow celluloid is the culprit in Cel rot, though I can't say these are Celluloid.

Originally Posted by souschefdude

I would say you did quite well. I would say on a scale of 1- 10, 10 being the best deal, you scored an 8.5
It seems to be a more recent Wosty. Should clean up well and shave nice.
I never used Flitz, so I cant say.
The scales look pretty clean already. I would polish them with your favorite car polish.
Get inside the scales with a microfiber cloth with some polish/wax on it.
Doesn't appear from the pics to be active rust at the pin, so no need to depin to clean it.

Beware, those scales are yellow. Yellow celluloid is the culprit in Cel rot, though I can't say these are Celluloid.

Thanks for the help.

What exactly is cell rot?
If it has cell rot, what are my options?

Your blade shows no signs of celluloid rot.
Celluloid breaksdown, I think in the presence of heat and or water. Some colors were more notorious than others. Search here on SRP for Cel rot or cell rot or celluloid rot, there are many good pictures. It pits the blade...alot. There weres ome sclaes that were a mix of colors, and the blade only is pitted where it sits next to certain colors.
The only real option if yours was to have it, which I think yours does not, is to rescale it. There are people on here who can do it for you at a reasonable price. Or you can buy a kit and do it yourself.

Barring rescale, just make sure to keep yours away from heat, and keep it dry.

Here's a few links about it all

http://straightrazorpalace.com/googl...=2282j808604j8

try blue magic cleaner on that razor will make it look like new and u can also use it on the scales..

Al of the above! I often use a clear gel toothpaste which will wash off easily. A pipe cleaner will be a good way to get between the scales which may be a bit brittle. I would guess that the razor is from the 30's or more recent.
I would suggest that you get it clean and send it to one of the persons, here in the classifieds, that does honing for money!
Have fun!
~Richard

Thanks for the tips. I am also going to disinfect it with herbacide (I think thats what its called), then rubbing alcohol, and then scrubbing bubbles. I am always a bit weary of used razors. There are a few things that can't be killed but cases like these are very rare.

One of the reasons I bought this razor was to practice my honing on. So hopefully I can get it shaving sharp.

Barbicide (herbicide ) is a germicide, pseudomonacide, fungicide, and viricide, when used properly almost nothing can survive it.

Originally Posted by joepa150

Thanks for the tips. I am also going to disinfect it with herbacide (I think thats what its called), then rubbing alcohol, and then scrubbing bubbles. I am always a bit weary of used razors. There are a few things that can't be killed but cases like these are very rare.

One of the reasons I bought this razor was to practice my honing on. So hopefully I can get it shaving sharp.

Nice find. You may need to take the razor apart for proper cleaning. I viewed the ebay pics and could see some minor rust on the blade and around the pivot. This is an excellent project razor and should be a great shaver.

My first ebay razor was a 4/8 Boker blade looked pretty good scales needed replacing. I wanted a project razor to work on for a full restore. First thing I did was seek some guidance on honing. I had to repair the toe alittle and hone it up. It's one of the best shavers I have. Since then I've added 3 more so I'm about ready to start the restorations. Just a few more things to pick up then its off to the races.

Job well done let us know how it turns out.

PS I use Flitz its a great polish w/o any abrasives in it.