Thread: Antique Store Find

Hey, I went to an antique store yesterday, and stumbled across a few razors to add to my collection. They are a Wade & Butcher, a Puritan, and a W. Greaves and Sons (my favorite of the lot). The W&B needs some restoration, and the Greaves needs a full restoration. The Puritan will do with a good honing. Anyways, I want to send them to be restored, but will have to wait on at least another paycheck. So my question is, what (if anything) do I need to do to keep them from rusting/pitting any more than they already have?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Bandman

Hey, I went to an antique store yesterday, and stumbled across a few razors to add to my collection. They are a Wade & Butcher, a Puritan, and a W. Greaves and Sons (my favorite of the lot). The W&B needs some restoration, and the Greaves needs a full restoration. The Puritan will do with a good honing. Anyways, I want to send them to be restored, but will have to wait on at least another paycheck. So my question is, what (if anything) do I need to do to keep them from rusting/pitting any more than they already have?

Thanks

Post some pics!

I'd say just clean them up as best you can with a metal polish (Maas or Flitz) and store them in a dry area until you can send them out. I use mineral oil on the razors I seldom use but if you're planning on doing something with them in the next few weeks then I don't think that would be necessary in your case.

Thanks!
I'm working on the pics. BTW how do you post pics on here?

After they are in a file on your PC go to the text box in the thread and scroll down below it and you will see a menu that says 'manage attachments'. Click on it and a menu will pop up that has a browse tab. Click on the top tab and it will open your files where you can select the one in which you've stored your photos.

Once you've selected a photo click 'open' at the bottom right. If you want more than one photo you have to repeat the procedure clicking on the next 'browse' tab down. Once you have the photos you want scroll to the right and you will see "upload". Click on that and wait until it is done and then post.

Ok, here are some pics. Top to bottom: W&B, Puritan, W. Greaves. The W&B scales on the back side are shot, but the blade appears to be in decent shape (just needs polishing and honing). The Puritan has good scales, and the blade appears to just need honing. The Greaves scales appear to be in pretty bad shape, and the blade appears to need a good bit of work. Greaves is a wedge (or close to it), the other two are hollow grind. (note how many times I said "appears," I'm no expert.)

Nice finds! I would say that the scales on the Greaves aren't that bad. They can be cleaned up and polished. It's nice to save the original scales. Good luck with them!

Those W&B scales are GORGEOUS! You might consider finding a replacement for the back and keeping that lovely inlaid front!! WOW would I love to find one of those puppies around here!

Cool. Thanks for the replies. I do love the W&B scales too. What you can't really see in the picture is the end of the front scale is basically falling apart, and the Greaves scales are warped. Both of these problems may can be fixed by someone who knows what they are doing. I have no clue. Now to find someone to send them to...

Great find!!

If I had the Greaves I would put it on a hone first thing and see if I could get past the pitting to good steel before I put a lot of effort into cleaning or polishing it. Chances are you will but it is better to know right off the bat. If the pitting is too deep in and around the bevel it will fall apart on you as you hone.

There is a tutorial by gssixgun in the SRP Wiki here on straightening horn scales. He does restoration work if you don't want to tackle it yourself. Nice group of razors you have there.