Thread: Thoughts on my New W&B

Just picked this up at a local Antique shop and I can't decide if I should go for a full restore or just hone it up and use it, if I did go the full restore, any ideas on the cost

It all depends on what you want your razor to look like. If you're into bright and shiny with perfect scales, then by all means get in touch with some of the restorers here (check out the services section of the classifieds) and check with them for estimates.

If that was mine, I wouldn't do much other than soak it in neetsfoot oil (it will rejuvenate the scales), give it a light rub down with some metal polish, hone it up, and enjoy it.

But it's ultimately your call.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

It all depends on what you want your razor to look like. If you're into bright and shiny with perfect scales, then by all means get in touch with some of the restorers here (check out the services section of the classifieds) and check with them for estimates.

If that was mine, I wouldn't do much other than soak it in neetsfoot oil (it will rejuvenate the scales), give it a light rub down with some metal polish, hone it up, and enjoy it.

But it's ultimately your call.

I think I will hone it up and give it a try first because I'm not quite sure I will like it, the blade measures .900" and it feels huge compared to a 5/8 full hollow

It is hard to tell from that picture. If you are going to contact anyone about restoring you are going to need some better detailed pictures in order to get an accurate plan. At this point you need to get a bevel on it to make sure it is worth going forward on so hone and shave, get some pictures and get some ideas.

That blade seems too nice to restore. Just my opinion. Hone, shave, repeat.

Originally Posted by rbaker2778

That blade seems too nice to restore. Just my opinion. Hone, shave, repeat.

That's kinda what I'm thinking,

What would be some of the pros and cons of restoring a vintage blade like this?

Well it will cost money to get it restored but it ill shave exactly the same. If you like it as is then leave it, if you want super shiny get some picture and get it checked out. Some really like the look of old razors looking like old razors. There are other personal factors like how much you are willing to spend and such. I'd shave with it for a while first.

I'm trying to think of one either way, the only thing i can think is it really comes down to how you envision it.
If ya like shiny, you can go that way. If it were mine ( I hardly ever did this before) I would just clean it with a little Mothers and give the scales a shine up and cleaning and use it. Most of mine have had issues that I eventually crossed the line into more polish so you have a gem there.
Enjoy it.
Mike

I'm with Cangooner soak, light clean up & use as is
but if you want to restore it get in touch with the lads in the classifieds for sure no Idea on quotes for restos for the pros.

but if you want to try yourself,
costs are considerably less & you learn the skills for the next one (there is always another)
Materials:
horn of the bay $10-$20 if you can't reclaim the originals
sand paper various grits $5-$10
metal polish $10
pins & washer materials - $10-$20
these materials would be enough for several razors (once bitten they will run out quickly)

tools:
small ball pein hammer $5-$10
1/16" pin punch $5-10
half round file $5
these dont run out LOL

then your time:
strip down 0.5 hours
hand make scales from horn - 3 to 4 hours tops for new or 1-2 hours to clean up the originals if posssible
clean, sand & polish blade - 2 hours
reclaim & clean the wedge - 0.5 hours
reassemble & repins 1 hour taking it easy

send for honing from around $25 plus postage depending on condition of blade & actual work required

or try yourself but the hone costs ($100 and upwards as a base) are a killer to start up & only recomended if you really intend to to do many razors
to hone about 1 hour max for full bevel set to stropped.

I hope this doesn't add to much fuel to the fire for you for your descission.

Originally Posted by Mark1065

That's kinda what I'm thinking,

What would be some of the pros and cons of restoring a vintage blade like this?

Pros:
- it will be shiny (or should be)
- you will (or should have) all brand new steel exposed on the surface (may be important if you are unhappy/worried about whatever is currently there after a century).

Cons:
- it is irreversible, can't go back if you later change your mind
- it will cost you money (for a good job)
- the lines may be softer (blurred), but the better (and generally more expensive) the restorer you should have less of that
- it will rust easier, at least initially, so you may need to be extra careful with it for a while

I can't think of anything else at the moment