Thread: First vintage razor questions

Hey all, I picked up a swanky looking old razor at Brimfield today. I picked it out exclusively by appearance, and I could find much of anything online about it. Age, value, etc. the box says "Buchholz & Maus" "Successors to Cavall & Smith(not sure it says smith)" "Pittsburgh Pa.", and "Wizard".
The Blade says "Wizard" on one side and "Buchholz & Maus" "Pittsburgh Pa" and "M.i. Germany" on the other.
It looks interesting, but has some rust issues. Anyone have any ideas on how to clean it up? Any info about it at all?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like your new razor is the victim of cell rot. Celluloid can 'go bad' and give off gases that eat into steel.

I did not plan to use this particular razor for anything besides presentation. Does the "cell rot" mean the steel can't be salvaged?

Originally Posted by MunkyMastr

I did not plan to use this particular razor for anything besides presentation. Does the "cell rot" mean the steel can't be salvaged?

Depends on how far gone it is. If you post a picture of the blade open we could better advise you. If it is cell rot the blade must be removed from the scales, they are shot and should be disposed of. If the corrosion isn't too far along you may be able to clean the blade and polish it. Hard to say without seeing it. Note the pins and the metal bits of decoration around them. They are corroding as well. I've seen that with cell rot in the past. Another reason for my diagnosis.

This is the open blade, is that enough?

another pic

It looks like cell rot to me because of the 'sprayed on' appearence of the corrosion, the corrosion on the metal around the pins. Look inside the scales and see if you observe anything that appears wet, or puddle like. I've seen that on some of my own that went that way. I could be wrong but I don't think so. Here is an example of one I caught early and the 'wet' I'm referring to. Note that the metal decorative pieces had begun, like yours, to corrode as well ;



And here is one that I saved a photo of, not mine, but this is how bad it can get. Note the 'sprayed on appearence of the corrosion ;

I didn't see any wet look, but being a newb, and not having removed any pins, I wouldn't rule it out. I really like the decorative pieces, is there any saving them if I try to replace the scales? I'm all thumbs when it comes to woodwork, but I'm pretty decent with metal.

Also, without any indication that this is a particularly nice or rare razor, I don't feel it's worth a whole lot of effort to make 100%.

Originally Posted by MunkyMastr

I didn't see any wet look, but being a newb, and not having removed any pins, I wouldn't rule it out. I really like the decorative pieces, is there any saving them if I try to replace the scales? I'm all thumbs when it comes to woodwork, but I'm pretty decent with metal.

Originally Posted by MunkyMastr

Also, without any indication that this is a particularly nice or rare razor, I don't feel it's worth a whole lot of effort to make 100%.

I am not skilled in restoring razors or scales but there are guys on this forum that can do amazing works of wonder with blades and scales. I've seen inlaid logos and decorative pieces transferred from the original scales to replacements, but unless you could do it yourself it would probably run into some money. TBH I don't think that razor would be worth it in the long run.