Thread: Antique Store Razors

Hey guys. I'm new to the site here, but have been shaving with a straight razor for a good while. Spent a year with a shavette, learning the ropes, and have been shaving with a true razor for about 3 years. There is an antique store by my house that often has some old razors for relatively cheap, sometimes $18-$25. I have bought three of them, one of them I intend on sending out to be honed. The other two are damaged. One has a large chip in the blade, the other has a broken scale, but they are near identical. I had planned on switching out the scales so I can save the good blade, but have no idea on how to do this (i.e. taking them apart.)

The stamps on the blades are as follows.

1. Chipped Blade. One side says "KASTOR". Reverse side says "No. 1100. Waranteed. Germany.

2. Broken Scale. One side has "The World's Work". Reverse says ""Sharp" Stevens. Cleveland O. M.I. Germany"

3. Fine all around. One side is blank. The other says "Golden Rule Cutlery Co. Chicago"

Anyone know anything about any of these razors? And can anyone show me how to remove the pins to change out the scales? Thanks.

I don't know about your razors but removing pins can be a delicate job. If you have a drill press or similar you can drill them out which is the best way. You can try a cut off wheel on a dremmel but you have to tape the scales and be really careful not to cut or damage them. if the scales are loose to begin with its easier. I'm sure one of the restore guys will come along with other ideas.

Originally Posted by Greaser350

The other says "Golden Rule Cutlery Co. Chicago"

I saw this ad earlier today in an old Popular Mechanics issue via Google Books while looking for something else. May it add something trivial to your interest

I place a piece of electrical tape over the pin, then file it down with a 6" mill bastard file. The pin is then pushed out with a 1/16" punch that I made from a broken drill.

The wiki has a section on doing restores.

German and American made razors are usually good quality.

I've found a good way to remove those pins without damaging the scales. I use a pair of wire cutters and remove one side of the pin and then just drift that side out and remove it. The wire cutter method I use insures that the scales aren't damaged from filing or drilling out the pins. I got my wire cutters at Harbor Freight for less than $3.