Gentlemen,

I have never had a hobby that required working with my hands. I don't think I have ever had a hobby, period, except for reading and walking. So this is all new to me: I plan to learn how to refurbish, rescale and hone my flea market straight razors.

No, I will not touch my four Thiers-Issards, two Dovos, a Boker and a Wacker in my small but functional razor collection. My shave guru Lynn is in charge of those.

This razor refurbishing venture is a major feat for someone who has never worked with his hands. I want to do it as a hobby, as well as therapy. In subsequent posts, if you will indulge me, I will keep you apprised of my progress. Also, I will rely on your expertise to point me in the right direction. I know I will turn Lynn's hair gray with my questions, bless his heart.

Priding myself for a shark's tenacity and a Spartan's discipline, I will proceed a step at a time without the fear of ever giving up, unless my banged up hands force me to do so. My work may not be Noble Prize material, but it will be my best effort. Do the best you can, is what I say.

Last week I visited my first flea market with the sole purpose of picking up what straight razors I could find. By day's end, after also visiting an antique store, I came away with 12 straight razors and two Gillette Super Speed double edge razors, all in various stages of disrepair.

I sent one of the straight razors to our SRP colleague DPflaumer, who volunteered to rescale it for practice. Before touching the straights, I refurbished the two Gillette DE's that looked as if they had been dug up from a swamp. They were a mess, although I knew they worked.

First I boiled them in water and vinegar; then washed them with soapy water; bathed them in alcohol; and finally polished them with Moss compound.

Gentlemen, I am not ashamed to take a bow to myself for my handiwork. Thank you for the applause. I have already sold one of the DE's and plan to sell the other to anyone interested.

After some preliminary research, I plan to begin work on the straight razors. First, though, I need some equipment to clean and polish and hone. I will appreciate your suggestions. I don't intend to open a honing and refurbishing service; rather, this is for my own enjoyment.

Thanks for bearing with me. If I bore you to death with my pilgrim's straight razor refurbishing adventure, my deepest apologies.

Regards,

Obie