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I am new to the forum and shaving with a straight razor, but looking forward to the experience. I acquired an old razor off ebay that was made in Germany and appears to be in excellent shape. Not sure how old it is but I'm certain it has quite a few years on it. My problem is that the scales cracked and broke and now I need new ones. I don't have the foggiest idea about how to replace them. Can any of you fine people give me some direction?
Grags
if you're just starting out and not sure if you are going to like it I suggest you buy from the classifieds here a shave ready razor, you could probably get a good one for <50 bucks. it will cost you 50-75 to get new scales put on that one plus another 15 bucks to have it honed to be shave ready (not including shipping of course).
post some pics of what you have, or at least any identification on it, and guys can better help you with what the value is for getting new handles etc.
Just my 2c. that's the way I went. I still have the two razors that "inspired" me to start this craziness and haven't gotten around to restoring either of them.
Red
You can certainly try to make new scales for your razors. There are a few tutorials that give detailed instructions on how to approach the problem. There are also a number of people that make custom scales in the forum. In the meantime, if you want to shave with this razor, you want to make sure that it is shave ready. Most likely it is not and the razor would require some honing. I would suggest to send it to a honemeister in the forum (check classified section under member services; you can find restoration services here as well). After that, a strop, a brush, some soap and there you go.
Al raz.
Thanks guys. I already have two pre-honed Dovos, badger brush, strop and Norton 4k to 8k water stone. The Ebay razor just caught my eye and I got it for under 20 bucks. I thought it would be good for practicing my honing/stropping skills.
Grags
Always fun to see how people get the standard answers first and not answers to their questions, seems to be a quite common trend among internet forums.. :)
My advice is that you check out the scale-making tutorials, it's not hard if you have basic woodworking skills, and all you really need is a sharp knife, sandpaper, a drill and some wood, plus tools to install pins of course.
Hi and welcome!
Here's a link to a tutorial for Low Tech (mostly) Scale Making, if you are intresed in doing it yourself, or you could PM one of the restorers about custom scales.
In my opinion grags could benefit from knowing what the term shave ready means:
Any razor which has been propertly honed.
This is a point that is freqeuntly overlooked on these forums, that new members often do not know the definition of the words.
You can also get pre-made scales and pins from Classic Shaving or The Invisible Edge if you just want a quick fix without making scales.You will have to assemble,then cut off,file,and peen the new pins.Or you can go with microfasteners.com and get fasteners that screw together.
Hmm, interesting. I am not ready to call myself adequate with the striaght at this point, but once I can get up to speed on it I might look into making my one straight a tad more visualy appealing. I can buy replacement handle, hmm might do this when I get up to speed.
ebay is fine but you need to have an understanding of what the item is worth. Never pay anyone on ebay more than the item is worth, with shipping included. I can get a brand new razor for $50 plus shipping so never offer anyone that amount or more for anything on ebay.
Even if you come over a razor for 75 bucks that needs some honing that is worth about 200 honed? ^^ But never more than 50 bucks for something that might be crap is a quite sound principle...
Might have a point Stuggi.