Wade & Butcher recommendation

@outback very impressive some nice work there, especially like the look of the first 2, x1 because they are different to the norm of what a SR is commonly envisaged and x2 because they both appear to have scrubbed up exceedingly nicely!
I HAVE given some serious consideration to the idea of restoration and now being in this community I may well look into what is involved? My biggest problem is TIME or the lack of it!?! I am a Bus Driver here in the UK and work 6 days a week on rotating shifts. What time I have after work is split between walking our young dog and spending time with my wife whom also works, which means what time we have each day together is precious!
I am hoping that I can accomplish some good results without the need for large specialist equipment that would require a small area akin to a workshop? Plus it to be somewhat inexpensive as I would like to purchase another SR or 2 and then play around with a couple of different soaps. Oh and the wife informs me she HAS a birthday sometime this year!?!
But thanks for suggesting this as the appeal of this is greater than the desire to go down the Honing route!?!
Times like this I wish I had won the lottery at 30, retired and was already into SR Shaving, life would be so much sweeter!?!

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Originally Posted by Muttley

@outback very impressive some nice work there, especially like the look of the first 2, x1 because they are different to the norm of what a SR is commonly envisaged and x2 because they both appear to have scrubbed up exceedingly nicely!
I HAVE given some serious consideration to the idea of restoration and now being in this community I may well look into what is involved? My biggest problem is TIME or the lack of it!?! I am a Bus Driver here in the UK and work 6 days a week on rotating shifts. What time I have after work is split between walking our young dog and spending time with my wife whom also works, which means what time we have each day together is precious!
I am hoping that I can accomplish some good results without the need for large specialist equipment that would require a small area akin to a workshop? Plus it to be somewhat inexpensive as I would like to purchase another SR or 2 and then play around with a couple of different soaps. Oh and the wife informs me she HAS a birthday sometime this year!?!
But thanks for suggesting this as the appeal of this is greater than the desire to go down the Honing route!?!
Times like this I wish I had won the lottery at 30, retired and was already into SR Shaving, life would be so much sweeter!?!

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All my work is done by hand. The use of electric powered equipment is limited to a Dremel, small drill press, and a scroll saw. Mostly for making scales. Which is another endeavor all its own.

I've shaved with a straight, since I was 17, (56 now) Started into restoration in 2015.
I put 5-6 years into learning from others, and the library, then adopting some of my own techniques of trial n error. I do all possible to keep everything original, except the pins that hold them together, during a restoration. A look thru the Workshop thread...What are u working on, or custom build & restoration, may spark your tinders.

There's also info in the library, on hand restoration, and tools. My work bench is a old countertop. So not much space is needed.

Attachment 350727

The only downside to restoration, is, ya pretty much need to be able to hone a razor from bevel set, to completion. And yes.. another expensive hole. Good news is there's a few guys that do it professionally, on here. Again...takes $, but not as much, overall.

It doesn't have to be expensive. Most of us just make it expensive. Hand sanding is what a lot of us do anyway because machines can get away from you. You get to where you see.razors on ebay and say, " OUCH! Not so heavy on the buffer dude!" It's easy to see because the grind lines are soft and rounded instead of crisp and tight.

@outback I am well impressed you started shaving with a SR at 17....You're only a year younger than me and though even then SR shaving was NOT considered an option!?! Mainly due to availability and having any members of the family with knowledge of using these blades.
I too have a Dremel and as you and @PaulFLUS state appreciate for the blade work to be done by hand, having seen some of the Ebay Specials!?! They do show the obvious signs of heavy buffing wheel abuse just to make them look shiny!?!
Again this venture merges into the rabbit hole of HONING and BEVEL Setting! With all these rabbit holes, Honing, Choice of Razor, Strops and Soaps it feels like being LOST in an ENDLES WARREN!?!?!?!
For now I think I will just concentrate on perfecting my skill with shaving with a SR and watch a listen to you guys with your vast wealth of years of experience and enjoy hearing your stories and admiring what you all produce!......I would like to think at sometime in the not to distant future i will have a go with a cheap SR and if the results look reasonable i could always send it away to be honed, we will have to see.
One thing for sure is that although I maybe fumbling around in this endless rabbit warren there is certainly no shortage of light be shone by you guys and for this I am grateful!

Rightfully the best path chosen for you. I'd already been versed in edged tools n knives, as a child. I started sharpening knives at 8 yrs old. Was, is, a fascination of mine, to how sharp can I get it. Weird, eh.!

Straights took it all to the next level, of honing. Then came restoration and collecting. I like to challenge myself in new things, then master it, if possible. If not, life's too boring. But also... A man's gotta know his limitations.

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Originally Posted by outback

A man's gotta know his limitations.

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This is true Harry Callahan! And this is where I ENVY our American cousins, you guys seem to hold on to traditions and pass on certain skills through the generations! Where as here in the UK you were not overly involved with your elders in survival skills as such!?! The main reason I think for lack of knife sharpening and Honing skills is the fact that being a relatively small island and nothing other that deer to hunt (Which was for the privileged few as deer would be on private land), meant the usage for knives was limited plus somewhat illegal!?!

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Originally Posted by outback

But also... A man's gotta know his limitations.

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Amen to that. To this day if I think that there is any doubt about proceeding I will put it down, overnight...for a week...a month...until I feel like I have a handle. That is, if it's something I value. That's why it is useful to buy lots from the bay or anywhere really, so you have some to not care about to practice on.

@PaulFLUS This has been my thought, buy a few cheap dead beat razors to play around with and not fear to make mistakes! To learn what works and what doesn't plus these can always be used as a reference in the future as to what techniques achieved what result!?!

Here is a great example of what to look for. It's buy it now and a good price for it. It does NOT have excessive hone wear. The etching is not pitted and is still visible. It is an excellent candidate for restoration or could be cleaned and honed for use.

I have no dog in this sale. I might buy it myself except that I am upside down in razors right now having just bought a 7 day set. Also I don't buy from anyone with less than 99% feedback. The point is more about the KIND of thing to look for.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17607587724...mis&media=COPY

Oh, one thing. DON'T buy that one to screw around with willy nilly as it is very collection worthy. That one is a keeper or one.to sell for twice the purchase price or more after restoration. The problem I have is letting them go once they are cherry. Beware of that too.