Vintage razor Christmas gift

I was going to resist posting about the razor I got for Christmas, but since I've been looking at all these great finds and gifts many of you have posted about, you've changed my mind. So here goes: I've wanted a vintage razor for a long time to restore and use for my regular shaver. A family member gave one as my Christmas gift, and I am intensely curious to know more about its history. It seems nothing I do will turn up any remarks, references, photos, or even a mention for this razor. That's mighty curious, isn't it, considering this is a Boker? There must be more out there somewhere, right? But so far, I can't even find anything on eBay about it. I did send an email to Boker pleading for anything they can tell me, but I expect if they ever decide to respond it may be a while. I am sure this is not a top priority. But anyway, I would be very grateful if anyone out there can tell me anything about this piece, or even point me in a direction where I can look for more myself.

This one came from a local barber shop. There's a guy there that finds them and resells them out of a display case. That's all we know. It needs some TLC, I am going to attempt a good polish and clean, and then send it off to someone for more delicate work on the blade. There are a few small dings on the cutting edge. Not sure if it is enough for grinding, but it certainly will need some experienced sharpening work.

On the front of the blade, it says "President" surrounded by some scrollwork type etching. The tang is stamped "H.Boker & Co. No.1586" with the tree logo and "Germany" on the reverse. It is clearly an old piece, and the blade has a very solid ring when you flick the corner with a thumbnail.

Many thanks to everyone for sharing your razors and knowledge. I have benefitted greatly as I enter this new shaving world.

Ed

Stop flicking ..............
A picture would be nice and you may get some in return with stories :<0)
The search box up on the right should turn up something IF there is anything. Look for the Boker club thread and you may find the exact same razor.

Many thanks, 10Pups! I did try to attach photos with the original post, couldn't get them to upload...but I did find the Boker thread you mentioned. Great info there and I will keep trying! Thanks again!

There is also an identification section in the library http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...Razor_Database

The flicking may cause snapping just to elaborate on that. It's the worst sound in the world believe me.

You may need more posts to use everything in the forum. Been so long since I looked at rules I am not sure :<0)

Thank you for the tip- I thought perhaps this could be a fake, and therefore probably not made of good steel. I heard somewhere that higher quality steel will ring out with a gentle flick whereas lesser quality steel does not. this one does, so I figure if that's true this is a decent quality razor and may not be a fake. No luck in the database as yet though but I am still working through it.

If its got the Boker stamp on it, its probably a damn good shaver. I've got a few of them, all have been exceptional shavers. And for the ring...not always true. The proof is in the shave.

I didnt know anything about flicking a razor. Never tried to ether. Id bet if its got the tree logo its a good one. The tree logo have changed over the years. Google it and you will see 4 different logos. I thinks its four?

If You Keep Flicking It Your Gonna Have The Broken Piece "Taped" Back In Place.... Ya If Ya Get Chance Please Post A Photo!!!! If You Would Like Some Razors To Practice On I Might Just Be Willing To Part With A Few!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ty

I think it's going to be great- really looking forward to getting it in shape to use regularly.

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Apparently only the basic uploader works for me...! but here are a few of the unrestored razor- I will work on polishing the metal this weekend and then next week send it out for anything else that can be done. I already know the edge needs attention as it shows some uneven wear and there are some very small dings. (It looks like someone tried to hone it with a piece of broken granite.)

That is going to work for you just fine as a starter. May even wind up your "go to" old favorite even after rad kicks in and you get 100 more :<0)
The restore........ If it was me I would count on saying bye bye to the etch. You may be able to clean it up enough to use it/save it that depends on you. Mass or blue magic will take off a lot of the grunge so you can see better what's going on underneath. If you give up on saving start out with some 400 or 600 paper and start sanding. Don
t push to hard on that blade if you lay it flat. Pretend like your sanding a potato chip. You can go up in grits as far as 2000 or 2500 and then get to the polishing. Then you will be ready for the hone and test drive. You may be able to find someone local which would let you pick their brain on other related shaving tips like perhaps the guy that sold it? If not there are ther ways to go.

Thanks for the helpful tips, 10Pups. Although I think you're right about the etch, since this is my first straight razor I can barely stand to think about it. So my idea is to just be as gentle as I can and get it to a place where I can use it, and hopefully it will end up looking sorta clean and polished. Your tips on how to do it are very appreciated.

That's a good looking razor, despite all the grunge ;).

First tip: stay away from the power tools! Just wanted to throw that out there...

Second: if you are going to leave any pitting (which is okay), I strongly recommend that you get some Evaporust. It chemically neutralizes rust, and doesn't harm anything else. For me, it adds piece of mind, knowing that I don't have to risk sanding through to the other side of the razor, and rust won't be a concern.