New guy needs your help!

[UTVols13]

Gentleman,
First and foremost I'm glad to be a new member, and please excuse my mistake if I posted this in the wrong forum. I need some advice. I live in Knoxville, TN and I am about to graduate from the University of Tennessee. My grandfather invited me to lunch to swap college stories, discuss graduation, my plans for law school, etc. After a few beers the Topic changed to Straight razors. He asked if I had ever considered swapping to a straight razor. I admitted I had been interested for a while, but that I had just never pulled the trigger. He explained that he had a unfinished razor he bought, but hadn't done anything with. He had purchased a razor from Alabama Damascus. http://www.alabamadamascussteel.com/...r-ads0073-dkg/
The description says it needs a final edge put on. My grandfather realized he was not able to work on the razor due to his arthritis, and decided he would like to give it to me. I was thrilled but incredibly skeptical. I would say my sharpening skills are mediocre at best, and I know very little about razors. Let alone how to make one shave ready. I feel that I would do more damage than good. I would rather the edge be finished by someone much more experienced than myself. I do not have the experience or the equipment to finish the edge. I apologize for the long winded story, but a little background information can always be helpful. I have a series of questions, and would really appreciate all input.

Questions:
#1: Is Alabama Damascus a quality manufacturer, and could this be a quality razor?
#2: Would it be worth the trouble to make this a complete razor?
#3: Do you have any recommendations of businesses or persons that would be willing to finish the edge and make it shave ready?
#4: Opinions on what scales to use? (Material, color, manufacturer, DIY, etc.)

Thank you for your time.
UTVols13

[Scareface]

If you don't have the tools........Why take on a project?
Probably will take months to get it completed and require just as much money as to buy a reputable shave ready razor that you could have in a few days.

[tcrideshd]

might be better to start with a shave ready razor from the classifieds , there are some nice starters come up all the time that wont set you back a lot. you really need to learn how to shave with one , take small steps or you might set yourself up for failure. building an unfinished razor of unknown quality is really going at it backwards. get you a nice inexpensive strop ,brush and soap ,and a vintage or new razor that has been honed by a pro , then read all you can here on getting started. leave honing for after you have learned to shave , which takes a while. then a year or so from now you,ll have a better idea what to do with the gift if it is good enough to put money into it .. good luck tc

[JTmke]

To me it sounds like grandpa would like to have you finish this razor.

While you read and discuss options with some of the guys offing services here, you could purchase a starter kit and learn to shave. You may be able to find a mentor near you that can give you one on one advice not only in the Damascus but shaving with a straight.

Welcome to SRP by the way. Watch some videos and read a while.

[thebigspendur]

At that price it is not a quality razor and certainly not real damascus. The edge would need more than just honing it almost looks like it may need grinding too. I'd pass. That's for someone with advanced skills and a collection of hones and if it needs grinding specialized gear and knowledge.

[Orville]

First of all, I will stipulate that I have neither the honing/sharpening skills of the previous posters (read: NONE), and I am barely started on my journey in shaving with a Straight Razor. That being said, I feel compelled to offer a differing viewpoint:

Your Grandfather OBVIOUSLY wants to make a gift to you of the razor he purchased.
The quality of that razor is questionable, but the quality of the gift is certainly not.

I would suggest that you accept his generous gift in the spirit he intended, namely a razor which will, eventually, provide a lasting memory of your Grandfather long after he is no longer present in your life. somewhere down the road, after you have learned to shave with a Straight you purchased elsewhere, and learned the skills needed (should you choose to), you can spend the time needed to bring this blade to shave readiness and, each time you pull it out to work on it, you will think of your Grandfather. Finally, when all is said and done, you will have the gift of an heirloom razor that was gifted to you, and that you have had the added pleasure of "bringing to life". I can think of nothing better with respect to this kind of a project.

Congratulations.

[edhewitt]

I would suggest accepting it, your grandfather obviously would like you to have it, send it as is to one of the honing guys in the classifieds here and see what they can do with the edge/ whether they think it is honeable. It will only cost return postage to get professional advice, plus cost of Honing IF you decide you want it honed.
Maybe contact a few of the guys and see what they say.

After that you can make a decision on where to go with it.

[whoever]

It does look like you'll need to grind, set a bevel. And put a set of scales on.
Grandpa is making a memorable gift of t straight razor that he passed down to you and possibly that you finished..l
I saw accept his gift, learn a few new skills.

[thebigspendur]

As a keepsake it's one thing. A working razor it's another.

You didn't say if your Grandfather was skilled at honing these things previous to his issues. Considering the condition I would guess not and he doesn't realize the work and expense involved or even if you really would ever use a straight.

Consider it a nice display piece. However if he asks you if you have used it in a few months what are you going to tell him?

[smytyk]

I would take it and find someone who would put scales on for cheap and advise me if it could be made shave ready for a reasonable price and keep it as a memory of my grandad.