genco that just needs a bit, tips?

hey guys, this is the first used one I picked up when I decided to start shaving with straights. I might have paid too much, I haven't gotten the DVD from bill ellis yet so don't know the ins and outs of used ebay razors, I paid I think 23 or something. anyways, nice genco razor, cool striped scales (came out in pics a bit) that look to be in real good shape. looks like it needs a good cleaning, maybe a polish, and a honing and it is ready to shave.

one problem is on the handles some jackass carved their initials at some point. how can I sand that out and get it back to the shiny finish again? it doesnt' look too deep. thanks.

Red

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ebsantagata/images/genco1.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/%7Ebsantagata/images/genco2.jpg

Nice American steel there, Genco's enjoy a fine rep for smooth shaves....
I just took out initials on a razor 2 weeks ago....
You have to polish the whole set of scales otherwise you will leave a flat spot that will look worse than the initials did...
Start with about a 800 grit wet or dry paper and work upward slowly from there, you need to get into the 2000 grit to get the polish back, work carefully and slow yer not sanding wood or metal...
After you get rid of the scratches it is just a matter of re-polishing out the smaller and smaller scratches from the sandpaper until you have a nice smooth shiny finsih...
Use some MAAS, or Flitz and bring them back to glossy...
And yer done

You could go the Dremmel route with a plastic polish and buffing wheel too , but unless yer very experienced at the process I would not recommend it....

thanks! don't worry about the dremel, I know better than that, I have used it on things before (guns, pipes) and prefer to take the time rather than the risk. :)

Red

I have a Genco. All I can say is "God bless America". If they are all like mine, Gentlemen from New York make great blades:D