Thread: An old razor.

I just kind of inherited a straight razor. It was my greatgranddad's and it hasn't been used after he used it, which might be as long as 60 years or more. On the blade it says Solingen - 10 J. GARANTIE MAGNETSTAHL. On the tang - F )( K GARANTIE SOLINGEN. (the )('s intercept a bit)

So. Anyone might have a hunch which model this is (highly doubt anyone would and just an interest in my relics, hehe)? Also, what would I have to do to get this thing working?

EDIT: Pictures here http://public.fotki.com/habemenuga/habemenuga/

Originally Posted by Hannes

On the blade it says Solingen - 10 J. GARANTIE MAGNETSTAHL. On the tang - F )( K GARANTIE SOLINGEN. (the )('s intercept a bit)

Hannes,
I'm sure someone with more knowledge than I (and better German) will jump in here, but "Magnetstahl" on the blade is German for "magnetic steel", a common marketing ploy for straight razors in the early 1900's.

I got another razor from the other side of the family. It's made in the Soviet Union. It isn't as old as the other one and seems sharper. A question: how sharp should a razor be? As in I can cut all of my arm hairs off or just some in one pass?

It's quite simple - it should be sharp enough to shave comfortably your well lathered beard, when you use it properly.
Unfortunately the proper use, requires a bit of experience, but any other test also requires experience too.

So I'll just go around sharpening them 'till they feel right?

Yeah, pretty much.
Or you can utilize the experience of somebody else, which I think is the better option.

Well, then I have two razors to get sharpened... Anyone who's near Estonia up for the job?

I think we have at least one other member in Estonia, not sure if they could hone razors.
You can always ship them internationally, there are few members in Europe who offer honing.
If you'll be trying to do it yourself make sure you read first on honing. The articles in the wiki are reasonably good. The most important part is assessing the edge and then depending on what the condition is pick a strategy to improve it based on what hone(s) you have.

You should see if you can find locally a barber who knows how to sharpen and use straight razors.

Regarding barbers - never in my life have I seen a male barber around here and I don't believe the babes (no offence meant to anyone) would dare learn how to use a straight.

But still, any offers from people who know how to hone are appreciated!