Thread: Why aren't old razors shave-ready?

If I get an old razor out of someone's attic or off of eBay, it's not likely to be shave ready.

But why not? Presumably, someone shaved with the thing, someone who knew how, and on the last day he shaved with it, it would have been shave ready, no?

The exact metallurgical science behind it is a bit beyond me, but basically a razors edge is very a fine and delicate thing, and over time the metal microserrations that comprise the edge will move out of alignment and time takes its toll on the blade, especially blades of softer steel.

It is not to say the razor won't be sharp, but the edge required to shave comfortably will degrade over time.

What's to say that the person who had it knew how to use or care for it? I'm no expert on metals but if the razor was left laying around for who knows how long the edge might become compromised by oxidation. Even if the rest of the blade doesn't show signs of rust or pitting. Like I said I'm no expert just a thought.

I think that has to do with a few things.

First, we can't assume that the person who used it was the same person who stored it and kept it. if you throw a razor in a drawer and bang it around, then move to a new house and dump it in a chest of grandpa's old stuff... (see where this is going...) you can't have the expectation that the razor will be in pristine condition.

Also, oxidation will dull a sharp edge. If a razor were oiled and sealed well you might avoid some of that, but if it was just wiped dry and put away and never touched again for years, you'd likely lose the edge just to oxidation alone.

Those are just my first thoughts.

Originally Posted by hornm

What's to say that the person who had it knew how to use or care for it? I'm no expert on metals but if the razor was left laying around for who knows how long the edge might become compromised by oxidation. Even if the rest of the blade doesn't show signs of rust or pitting. Like I said I'm no expert just a thought.

Ha ha... someone get him out of my head!!

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

Ha ha... someone get him out of my head!!

Crazed minds think alike

Some are shave ready !!!

I did an experiment with a few NOS blades that were still shave ready so did Gugi IIRC... Strop and go

I also bought a "Lot" of razors off E-bay once that really were from a Barber's Shop and most of those just needed some Linen and Leather...

But yes some actually are still SHAVABLE if not "shave ready"

But most like the guys above already pointed out, were not stored even halfway right, so if they started that way, they ended not even close..

Originally Posted by Bootstrap

If I get an old razor out of someone's attic or off of eBay, it's not likely to be shave ready.

But why not?

someone used the razor either until it was dulled or damaged. And then it was tossed aside to rust

they could be, but it happens very very rarely. i actually been just looking at one razor that seems to have gotten the proper treatment since almost all the edge has great bevel (one spot at the heel with a chip due to oxidized steel). the previous owner supposedly shaved with it in the 60s and died in 1971 and it hasn't been used since. The edge is dull though, so before honing the chip out I will probably try few finishing hones to see how dull it actually is.
I've also shaved with factory edges that have survived at least 50 years - nice shaves, so an edge can certainly remain good for that long.

Originally Posted by Bootstrap

But why not? Presumably, someone shaved with the thing, someone who knew how, and on the last day he shaved with it, it would have been shave ready, no?

You might be lucky.