Thread: Suggest keepers?

Hi I’m trying to get some feedback on whether any of these should be restored, traded, or just trash. Better would be to help me pick one that might give the best shave experience once restored. I’m not asking value.

From top to bottom

1) WL EXTRA - Walter Ladwig - Milwaukee- made in Germany. Needs new handle. Plastic, not Bakelite, maybe. Bright shiny blade condition.

2) Wm Elliot and co 63 made in Germany - “fingetragenes warzeneigener?” Heavily worn, some oxidation on edge.

3) Griffon Magnetic - this is not a keeper. Good practice blade. The spine is worn and the metal is far gone.

4) ?G FOU….. can’t read it… I X serrated… can’t read it. This is a wooden handle , heavily surface oxidized. Not sure if it’s pitted. This one has the most beautiful feel, weight, and I believe it’s the oldest. I don’t know where it came from but as an object, it didn’t come from a big factory. I don’t want to ruin it so I’m not playing with it yet.

5) K410 Keenkutter Royal Razor SIMMONS HDW CO mfr & distributors USA. This is the prettiest and it’s a little heavier than the others.

Finally

6) MANUFACTURED BY FREDERICK R LYNCLES (??? maybe) Sheffield . This handle is Bakelite or something like it. Handle is worn. This blade has a very distinctive shape. I can’t describe it but maybe the spine isn’t squared off like the others? It too has a handmade feel about it.

I love a good history lesson…

They all look worth cleaning up/restoration.

As for the shave, all will shave if their capable of taking and holding an edge. Comfort would be your choice, and too many variables come to mind, to list.

To answer your question to #4. It's a George Wostenholms, IXL. Bakelite scales. ( Early plastic). Can't tell by pic, but may not restore well, being full hollow.

George Wostenholms are my favorites, overall. But I still rub shoulders with Freddy and his buddies, W&B. Those German boys aren't slouches either, IMO.

#6 may be Frederick Reynolds. Well known manufacturer of quality razors.

Too bad about that Griffon. Those were super hollow ground and took a smokin' edge. Maybe don't trash it yet. Your opinion might change with time.

That Simmons Keen Kutter is a smoker too.

The Frederick Reynolds and the Wostenholm are also both quality hayday vintage Sheffields.

My suggestion is for now, keep all of them. Give them a light coat of petroleum jelly and store them somewhere dry. Keep the Simmons out, or better yet the Ladwig, to practice your honing. The Simmons is likely to end up being your best shaver. Could be just me. I have always liked those straight edged, square nose razors, and I never got a bad hardware store razor. Maybe get on top of your honing game with the Ladwig or the rusty one, before addressing the Simmons or the Reynolds. Except for maybe number 4, and it is possible, too, can't tell from the pics, they all look worth honing and using, at the very least. Of course you need new scales on #1, but that's no big deal.

It is kind of funny that you would ask a bunch of enablers if you should get rid of any of your razors.
#4 looks like it needs to be thoroughly cleaned and maybe the bevel set in order to properly assess it. The others look ok as long as they can keep an edge, as previously mentioned.
It is tough to learn to hone and shave at the same time, so if you are not experienced at either, you may want to pick a couple to send to someone to get them honed and work on your stropping and shaving technique and get to the honing part later. I am unsure of your experience level so it may or may not apply to you.

6 Looks like a Frederic Reynolds. Thats a solid shaver. I prefer Sheffield steel to anything else, even though German blades are fine and American is great too. Some of the guys on here can get a good shave out of a kitchen spoon, so I would bet most of those will hone up nicely in the right hands.