noob with razor identification question

Gents,

I have 2 razors.

I picked up the first about 23 years ago. It is a Dorko 105 Special from Solingen - Germany. Reg # 4146-32. The second was my grandfather's. It is a Robeson SurEdge from Rodchester N.Y #1540

I would like to start shaving with a straight and was wondering if it would be worth spending some money to get these razors honed or should I put the money towards a new razor. I really don't know how either of them would shave or if they are decent razors. I can't remember what I payed for the Dorko. I think the blade on the Dorko is carbon, it it has a small ding in the blade. I have no idea about the Robeson. It has sentamental value.

Are they good razors?
Should I have them honed?
What should exspect to pay to have them worked on?
Any sugestions for who I should send them to?

Any help or info would be appreciated. Thanks

They are both excellent names as straight razors go, but to advise you on whether its worth putting money into them would require some pictures!

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Originally Posted by JMS

They are both excellent names as straight razors go, but to advise you on whether its worth putting money into them would require some pictures!

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I will see if I can get a couple of shots and post them sometime soon

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JMS

They are both excellent names as straight razors go, but to advise you on whether its worth putting money into them would require some pictures!

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+1
Very good advice.

If the razors aren't chipped or quite rusted or honed super thin don't sell them to anybody but me!

Honestly two great names and I wish I had one of them.

Here are some pics - not very good because I had to take them with my cell phone.

Robeson

Attachment 11609

Attachment 11610

Dorko

Attachment 11611

Attachment 11612

Attachment 11613

There is a little rust on the Robeson (near the tang, by the pin). I dropped the Dorko and it has a small nick/chip on the blade. I remember it being much worse. Looking it it now, it doesn't look like much

Run, don't walk. to your nearest honemeister and get those babies shave ready!!

I second that. Clean those bad boys up with metal polish (Maas is spoken of mostly, but any good quality will do) and get them honed. See Tony Miller at The Well Shaved Gentleman, Heirloom Razor Strop Company, Straight Razor Shaving Supplier for a strop and don't forget a brush and soap. Let us know how it progresses, please.

X

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xman

I second that. Clean those bad boys up with metal polish (Maas is spoken of mostly, but any good quality will do) and get them honed. See Tony Miller at The Well Shaved Gentleman, Heirloom Razor Strop Company, Straight Razor Shaving Supplier for a strop and don't forget a brush and soap. Let us know how it progresses, please.

X

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What should exspect to pay to have them worked on?

I have a brush and cream. I have been shaving with a DE razor for a few months now. I also have a strop that I bought 23 years ago when I picked up the dorko. I didn't know how to use it or the razor. It has a few gashes near the edge, but I think it is still in decent shape

Attachment 11624

I checked out Tony Miller's site. It looks great, but it is inactive at the moment. Any other suggestions

That looks like an Illinois Horse hide that you have there use a pumice stone on the nicks clean that up and condition with with Neets foot and that one will serve you fine... (just happen to have one myself that is 27 years old hehehe)
The restore and honing will vary in price, the razors don't look bad from the pics that you took, but I know I would ask you for better pics of the edges to be sent to give you a better estimate....
Great razors that you have there, CONGRATS!!!!

Congratulations LAZ, with the info already provided you are off to a good start. Aways wanted a Dorko but they always seem to elude me. BTW nice avatar of your girlfriend.:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

That looks like an Illinois Horse hide that you have there use a pumice stone on the nicks clean that up and condition with with Neets foot and that one will serve you fine... (just happen to have one myself that is 27 years old hehehe)
The restore and honing will vary in price, the razors don't look bad from the pics that you took, but I know I would ask you for better pics of the edges to be sent to give you a better estimate....
Great razors that you have there, CONGRATS!!!!

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Thanks, for the info. I will pick up a pumice stone today and start working on the strop.

I know that it would be impossible to provide an exacr price on having the razors restored and honed. I am looking for an estimate.

Shoulde I be expecting somrthing in the $25 to $50 range or the $50 to a $100 range?

I am asking because if a lot of money is involved, it might be a good idea to have the dorko worked on first. Then after I have learned how to shave and strop with it, have my grandfather's razor worked on. But if cost isn't too baf, maybe it would be better to have both razors worked on at the same time.

Any thoughts?

$25-50 for the little work. Heavy resto and rescaling will cost you more. Don't quote me though. I don't do restorations.

X

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

That looks like an Illinois Horse hide that you have there use a pumice stone on the nicks clean that up and condition with with Neets foot and that one will serve you fine... (just happen to have one myself that is 27 years old hehehe)
The restore and honing will vary in price, the razors don't look bad from the pics that you took, but I know I would ask you for better pics of the edges to be sent to give you a better estimate....
Great razors that you have there, CONGRATS!!!!

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I am sure this is a stupid question, But I will ask it anyway. How do I go about using the pumice stone the polish out the nicks?

Do I wet the stone or use it dry?

Should I wet the strop?

Circular motion or back and forth?

How mucj presure should I use?

I don't want to mess up the strop any more and I am not too good with my hands. This is why I propbalby stopped shaving with the Dorko years ago. I didn't know what I was doing with the strop (other than not sharpening the blade).

I am hoping that with the help of this site that I will be sucessful this time around.