Thread: New member with first straight razor: An F.W. Engels "Perfection." Need help.

HeY Vlad I just want to add to what gssixgun said to you. Being new I wont assume that you are completely abreast of the nomenclature used here as I was not when i was new, so I'll simplify.

1. The toe has un-even wear = Tip of Blade
2. The spine shows the same wear= entire length back of blade
3. Look at the pin at the pivot compared to the wedge pin see the difference??? most likely this razor did not come with these scales originally..= pinning point connecting blade to the handles/scales
4. There is active rust in the pivot that needs atention.

You have a decent razor that a good honing could balance things out, without a problem. Don't fret, You are learning and experience is the best teacher. I remember my first razor purchase. I was so anxious and happy to have won my first bid ever. I spent $46 on a LEMON and was so proud of it! LOL It was basically pieced together junk/scraps BUT the good part is I later used that razor to help me practice Honing and hand sanding the blade. It eventually had a useful purpose. Here's a pic of it. Hope you get a good laugh from it as I have.

Check out this sweet Engels currently up for auction. What do you think?
ANTIQUE F.W.ENGELES SOLINGEN GERMANY STRAIGHT RAZOR - eBay (item 170525252524 end time Aug-14-10 15:58:11 PDT)

Originally Posted by komjong

Check out this sweet Engels currently up for auction. What do you think?
ANTIQUE F.W.ENGELES SOLINGEN GERMANY STRAIGHT RAZOR - eBay (item 170525252524 end time Aug-14-10 15:58:11 PDT)

Clearly heavy spine wear loose pins,cell rot, rusted through...not worth any of your time actually....Komjong has obviously has been drinking to much....Naw, just kiddin' that really is a sweet one!

It will shave very well. Just needs cleaning and honing, as has been pointed out. The blade width looks to be 6/8 inch, which is my own preference for shaving.

Originally Posted by Wintchase

Clearly heavy spine wear loose pins,cell rot, rusted through...not worth any of your time actually....Komjong has obviously has been drinking to much....Naw, just kiddin' that really is a sweet one!

LOL Correct! When I purchased that first razor i was certainly drunk off naivety!

I have seen many a razors with the dame toe wear and have a few myself. I find this 'toe wear' to be a better configuration to rounding off the point on a hone. It reduces the chances of the toe digging in and slicing you as the toe is off the skin when shaving with the proper angle and pressure but it still keeps the point sharp for trimming around a beard or mustache. I have also seen a few NOS razors where that area of the blade is thinner than the rest of the blade at the bevel. The options while honing to get that part of the edge sharp is to bring the whole blade down or hone to this configuration.

Bottom line is that you have a good shaver. Enjoy!