Thread: Not a roxo, but what is it?

Hello, I have recently begun trying to learn how to hone my kitchen knives, I saw someone, on youtube, honing a regular knife and then shaving with it. This got me interested in straight razor shaving, and the history and different varieties of straight razors, and the maintenance and honing of these instruments. I asked around, and my mother-in-law thought that there might be something in an old cottage her mother had inherited. And sure enough, in a drawer I found this: hmm, I don't know how to put pics in between text blocks so they're at the bottom.
Anyway, the case says: Marsh Brothers & co, Ltd Sheffield, England. Special roxo razor.
And on the razor: Richard extra 3, and on the other side: Alfred Johnson Stockholm, and on the tang: IMPORT. The man who owned the razor lived between 1890-1967. The handle seems to be made of some plastic stuff.

Unfortunately there is a big nick on it...

Questions: If anybody knows anything about this razor, I'd be grateful.
Is it possible to restore it to shave ready state? Is it very valuable or can I use it to practice my honing skills? I also found some sharpening/honing stones, questions and pics on those later.

Best regards
Leif

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the blade is shot. A small nick or ding in the blade may have been honed out but this in my opinion is beyond repair. It would have been an excellent razor, Swedish steel is usually considered the best. If you are serious about trying a straight I would suggest checking out the SRP classified section and see what the fellows have to offer,
Sorry about the bad news, but welcome to SRP just the same!

I too would say that razor is probably not ideal. You COULD fix it if you really wanted to, but IMO it would take much much more time and effort than it is worth, especially given what is out there at low prices (and already shave ready, so you'll have a benchmark when you decide to learn to hone).

Darn! You guys are FAST! Thanks a lot for the comments! I had a hunch it was too damaged when I saw it, but I couldn't know for sure. Btw, Nun, I'm not sure it is swedish, since it is stamped import. But I'll be on the lookout for some swedish ones, there must be plenty of them here, forgotten, in drawers and boxes.

I'll have a look at the classifieds if nothing shows up locally.

Although it was British made or made for a British firm, it was made of Swedish steel, thus the "Import" stamped on the tang.

Aha, I see. I thought they stamped it import because they imported it into Sweden, from somewhere else. Thanks for the clarification!