New guy..old razors..

Aloha. I posted an ‘Intro’ the other day and along with a couple nice ‘Welcomes’, received a recommendation to Post a query ‘HERE’ to begin to accumulate information about a couple razors I recently acquired.

I’m unfamiliar with Forum’ protocols so I’m adding a couple shots here, as well. Ideally, I’d like to know everything there is to know about these..5 W’s..ha.

Maybe a tall order but I’m trying to figure out if I ought to shave with them. Or return them to their retirement.?

Any info, conjecture, links, or observations would be appreciated..

Thanks a lot..d

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Welcome to SRP!

Nice razors. Where's you get them, if you don't mind my asking?

In any event, if you want to shave with an SR, these would be fine to use. -->However, I would send them out to be pro-honed. http://straightrazorpalace.com/class...wcat.php?cat=4 in the classifieds should point you in the right direction.

If you want to learn, you've come to the right place. Superb forum abounding with superb gentlemen. I'd start by reading all the stickies in the Beginner's sub-forum, going over to the Library and soaking that in, and watch as many good videos as you can. AND, know that while our destination is the same, everybody's journey has its own path.(you have to find what works for you :)

Cheers,

Simon

ps-link to some videos-->http://straightrazorpalace.com/videos/

Bon Appetite! Cheers to you as well..

Got them from my Old Man’ when he passed away. I had put them up and pretty much forgotten about em.

Worked in a Barber Shop as a kid shining shoes [ $.05/per ] and the Barber taught me to strop. He used to shave the edges off my ‘burr cut’ every few days, and when I sprouted hair on my face I often shaved with a straight razor at different times in my life.

Hadn't looked at these in years but got a ‘Shaving Sharp’ knife recently and ‘dug them out'. Seem pretty nice. I don’t have a strop or I’d give them a try. Thought I’d ask around first to see if they should be ‘retired’..

Thanks for askin…d

Those are fine looking razors, should be no problems with using them. If you want some history on the razors it would really help to get some up close shots of the stamping on both sides of the tang and any etchings on the blade.

Matt

Those razors are far from retirement. The fact that they are heirlooms would, to me, make them priceless.

The first razor screams Sweden. I don't think I've ever had a Swedish razor that wasn't an exceptional shaver.

The second razor looks like a quality German razor, and in fantastic condition. Close up pics of the stamps will help identify them further.

My advice to you is to have them honed by a pro and enjoy them!

Thank's Matt.. that's what I'm going to do.

Those shots were 'hi-res', couple Mb's so in a different 'box' you could drill right down and read the stampings and etchings.

I'll re-shoot about 700X and see if I can get it..

USE 'EM!

I think the top one is a Curtin & Clark Cutlery Co. At least that's what the etch looks like to me. The Swedish on the box is a bit confusing though.

The fact that they are family AND quality steel makes it all the better.

Enjoy!

Thadt's what I'm thinkin Thank's....but, it would be great to know about their makers and their place in time before I put em back in service eh..?

Speaking of Service, Thanks 4 yers..

Man O’ Man, am I getting an ed-u-cation.

Watched a bakers dozen ‘classic’ vids’, spent considerable time in the library, am following up on advise [get ‘honed’..ha] and am really looking forward to my first shave with my heirlooms.

Big Thanks' to Everybody. Nice ‘Welcome’ ..

I’ll post some better shots of my razors in the hopes of retrieving more information about their history

Now for the ‘..“ tricky part” ’..ala ‘Moneypenny..

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by DEFGRAB

Aloha. I posted an ‘Intro’ the other day and along with a couple nice ‘Welcomes’, received a recommendation to Post a query ‘HERE’ to begin to accumulate information about a couple razors I recently acquired.

I’m unfamiliar with Forum’ protocols so I’m adding a couple shots here, as well. Ideally, I’d like to know everything there is to know about these..5 W’s..ha.

Maybe a tall order but I’m trying to figure out if I ought to shave with them. Or return them to their retirement.?

Any info, conjecture, links, or observations would be appreciated..

Thanks a lot..d

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My God, they are beautiful. You are a lucky man.

That's some beautiful steel right there! I'm glad yer sending them out to be pro-honed and putting them back in service! I would LOVE to have an heirloom like those, sadly the last person anyone in my family can remember straight shaving is my GREAT grandfather, who passed sometime in the 60's and no one knows what happened to his shave gear anymore. :gaah:

To throw another opinion..... They look to be beautiful razors. Which would say use them. But above their physical beauty is the family tradition! Continuing the family tradition is so much more beautiful. If they can be brought to a good edge you will have something most people will always admire and be jealous of.

I have one of my grandfathers SR and a DE from my other grandfather and dad. These are prize items to me. The "open market" might value them at $10-$20 each, to me there is not enough money. Some day I hope to pass them on to my boys with the directions that they continue to get passed down in the family.

Enjoy the physical quality. Enjoy the family history more!!

Just an opinion.

Cart before the Horse??

As a result of the warm enthusiasm of Forum contributors to this conversation, I’m raring to get [re] outfitted to shave straight from here on out. Make my little historical personal grooming statement. I’ve decided to get a modern kit end to end as I always hesitate to ‘Use’ stuff that’s special.

I’ve never given any thought to more than a good edge and a smooth shave and of course I’ve pulled more than a couple whiskers out of my face with borrowed sub-prime lenders.

Folks seem to think these are nice’ classic razors, but I don’t know enough about razors per se and these heirlooms in particular to understand how putting them back in service will affect their useful life, and ultimately, the shape they would be in when they in turn are ‘handed down’.

So, couple questions:

First: I’m wondering if I ought to just ’service’ these and put them [back] up in a place of honor to be preserved and passed on.

Second: Beyond ‘philosophy’ I’d sincerely appreciate practitioners recommendations for an ‘end to end’ Kit. I’m not so concerned with budget but with best of breed practicality price/performance to get going.

This could be fun..Thanks..d

welcome! those are nice razors. If they were mine i'd consider putting a coat of renaissance wax on them and storing them in a dry place. As for a good kit SRD would be a great place to start as they have some good beginners kits with no worries about quality or sharpness. if cost is a issue then buying a nice vintage blade from the classified and a starter strop from one of our vendors would be the way to go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DEFGRAB

Cart before the Horse??

As a result of the warm enthusiasm of Forum contributors to this conversation, I’m raring to get [re] outfitted to shave straight from here on out. Make my little historical personal grooming statement. I’ve decided to get a modern kit end to end as I always hesitate to ‘Use’ stuff that’s special.

I’ve never given any thought to more than a good edge and a smooth shave and of course I’ve pulled more than a couple whiskers out of my face with borrowed sub-prime lenders.

Folks seem to think these are nice’ classic razors, but I don’t know enough about razors per se and these heirlooms in particular to understand how putting them back in service will affect their useful life, and ultimately, the shape they would be in when they in turn are ‘handed down’.

So, couple questions:

First: I’m wondering if I ought to just ’service’ these and put them [back] up in a place of honor to be preserved and passed on.

Second: Beyond ‘philosophy’ I’d sincerely appreciate practitioners recommendations for an ‘end to end’ Kit. I’m not so concerned with budget but with best of breed practicality price/performance to get going.

This could be fun..Thanks..d

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You've got to use them! If you get them honed by someone on here they won't be "damaged" and I'm sure you'll get far more pleasure out of them than a new razor with no history or soul.
One of my grandmother's always used her best China teacups every day, when I asked why she said they were her mother's and each day when she used them she had a quiet 10-15 minutes thinking about her and remembering the good times. Different example but I'm sure you get the idea.
As for the gear you should try SRD.

Yep just what I've been thinkin. SRD looks to pretty much have it all to get going but appears to be low on stock of strops..I'll ping em see what's what..Thanks

Think I'm going to split the difference on this..get started with a 'new' kit..get these set up and eaase into trying em out..I daydream every time I pick one up..

I'd still like to track their provenance just to add dimension to personal history. I'm going to re-shoot them more accurately and re-submit..soon..ha..

It might be easier to start with the older razors. New does not equal really broken in to me. I own NO new razors & am am up to 15 vintage blades. I haven't paid more than $25.00 for any of them. Just paid five bucks for a Dubl Duck Satin Wedge with clear scales that cuts like butter. A little touch up on my John Primble Barber Hone & stropped on my vintage Koken 3" horse butt strop & it's a jewel.

Slawman:beer1::beer1::hmmm:

HUH! You have any pictures there Slawman..??

I will get some up now that I figured out how to post them. Trying to figure out the best way to photograph them.

I'm working on refining my shots too...Just spotted this link: Category:Photography - Straight Razor Place Library

Category:Photography


Pages in category "Photography"

The following 3 pages are in this category, out of 3 total.

D
DSLR And Reversed Lens As Microscope

L
Lightbox Instructional

P
Photographing Razors

I will throw in the opinion that you should use them too. Unless they are already in such poor shape (not illustrated by the pictures), they should be used. Not only because they seem to be in great shape still, but as a "living" connection with your family. How many people still use things passed down through their families? Anything from cast iron pots and pans, to grandpa's old shotgun. Something this special will only rot and decay sitting on a shelf. Respect the history with use and care.

Just an opinion and NOT back by any facts or research:)

With proper care & maintainance your family razors should last several generations.Attachment 190293

Dave "Slawman" Huffman