I NEVER EXPECTED TO WIN THIS

but i did.

so im wondering what is the best way to remove all this pitting (or is it simply gunk) without scrapping the etching.

thank you guys i appreciate your help

Nice find :) Any brand name? Or maybe "Persian" is the brand...

Best proven method of removing that gunk without losing the engraved etching is a tumbler. I've tried it myself with great results.

C. Friedrich Ern, Solingen-Wald in 1922.

Brand names: 'Army and Navy', 'Ator', 'A.V. Humboldt', 'Balance', 'Bank', 'Bar', 'Barbersone'......and later on 'Persian'.

Ah, Erns are good razors. Good find!

so no sanding paper at all?

If it's just cleanup (gunk as mentioned) then a tumbler would work (although I'd try using just MAAS or a similar metal polisher). If you're actually trying to removing pitting then you'll have to remove metal and therefore etching if the two coexist. The best practice is to try the lightest application (MAAS first, then tumbler, then sandpaper if you want to attempt that) then move onto more aggressive methods.

I agree with Claytor... I'd just add that I have been impressed with what a tumbler can do for etched blades.