Help with a M.J. Higgins

First I would like to say that I am new to SRP (joined today, found site a few days ago). The limited amount of time I have spent on the site has been very helpful and informative. I am also new to straight razor shaving, been enjoying it for about two months now.

If anyone can help me with any information on this razor, it would be great. I found it at my local flea market, paid $5 for it. The scales(?) handle are in poor shape. The blade was covered in surface rust. I took it home and knocked most of the rust off with a soft wire bush. The blade seems to be solid overall. However, once I cleaned most of the rust off, I could make out some markings on the blade and what appears to be a man in uniform. At that point I stopped cleaning in fear of damaging the razor. I know some members do restorations, and I am thinking of having it professionally restored.

I would be pretty surprised if any etch can be saved on that one.

I have seen another one of these...the image is similiar to our $1 bill. It is a portrait of George Washington, I believe, with an eagle flying out to his left (right as you look at your picture).

Try a good metal polish (eg Maas). Nice old Sheffield razor.

Higgins made some very good shavers. While not rare, they seem uncommon, although there have been a number on eBay in recent weeks. I don't recall seeing one that had a blade etch, however.

Personally I wouldn't send that one out for restoration. Hone wear seems a bit heavy to invest too much money into it. Just use some MAAS to polish her up and send out for the initial honing.

The etching, more than likely, would not survive a restoration.

I echo what John says - do the initial restoration yourself to keep the cost down.

The bevel looks quite wide, especially in the middle third of the edge - is it thin on the other side in the middle? If it is, the spine is warped and you will probably have to pay a bit more than usual to get it shave ready. A quick test is laying the spine (top of the razor, using the flat bit that has been honed away) along a flat edge on both sides - if it touches in the middle on one side and not on the other she's warped.

Regards,
Neil

Thank you for the imput on the razor. I will follow John's advice and try the restoration my self which this will technically my first to do a complete restoration.

There does seem to be a lot of hone wear, however the spine is not warped and this has a wedge blade on it.

The one I had was a quarter hollow. I'd bet yours is also from the photos. A true wedge is scarce.

After another look, think you are right.
My inner newbie coming out