Thread: Help with inherited razors

Hello everyone, My father was a barber and I have inherited 36 straight razors, condition of which runs from good to bad and rusty. I was thinking of maybe cleaning and sharpening 1 or 2 of them to possibly try using, but letting go of the rest. I'm looking for any ideas you all might have on the best way to accomplish this goal. Thank you, Harry

You’ve come to the right place! Lots of restorers and repairers here.

Start by checking out https://shavelibrary.com/w/Category:Blade_Restoration

Post some pictures. The more detailed the better. Someone will be by to offer suggestions in a pretty short time.

Like Dzec says photos. Close ups including blades and stamps. If possible next to a ruler showing blade height.

Hello again and thanks for the suggestions. I don't know how to get pictures from my phone to this forum, plus 36 razors would need lots more than 36 pictures. What do you think of me typing into the forum the markings on the razors?

Gang the razors up so you get 4-5 in a shot. I would not worry about scales (handles) until you know what you have. If possible keep same brands togethef.

In tool had in post click on picture frame (third from right) and choose new photo of from gallery.

Hi and welcome. Yes, pictures, pictures, pictures. We LOVE pictures! The picture frame icon bouschie was talking about is here.

You can put about 7 pics in each post. Break it up into different posts if you need to. Again, group them with blade out and if possible etchings and definitely tang stamps. You'll get lots of help here either fixing what needs fixing or deciding what to keep. Personally I think 36 is just a good start.... seriously though, some of us have hundreds...or more! I am about to round 150 and I am just getting started. It's called RAD (Razor Acquisition Disorder), just one of the many "rabbit holes" you can fall down.
Don't worry, there are many, MANY enablers here to help spur you on. Look around, explore, especially the library and ask lots of questions. Mostly have fun. We're here for you.

If all you do is type names and conditions to us they could all be junk. Look around eBay. Tons of junk for sale. Pictures will let us know a lot more. If something is worth fixing, or should you send it to a restorer or tape it closed so it never opens again and put it in the trash.

We are here to help but you must start out with showing us what ya got.

I will try to get some pictures posted here tomorrow.

Before you do anything besides just posting pics of your razors, you really ought to hang out on the forum and read for a few weeks and absorb some background knowledge.

If you want to divest yourself of many or most of your razors but want a few to shave with, maybe you can work out a deal, you send interested parties with good reputations as honers or restorers two razors and let him work his magic on them and keep one, returning the other. Usually both parties end up pretty well satisfied.

You can make 10 post to a thread, but if you need more, just make a new thread by hitting the Reply to Thread, lower left corner and it will put them all in sequence.

It is all about condition, especially if you are starting out. Trying to restore and learn to hone is easier on a razor that does not need repair or is past it's sell date.

Some you may just want to make wall hangers, some will be shavers.