An Introduction, a photo and a question.

Dear Group, first post here after lurking for a while. The story so far is this. Up until about 10 months ago i used a Gillette Mach something or other, then i discovered, or rediscovered i should say, proper razors. By that i mean i bought a 1953 Gillette Super Speed and jolly nice it is too.

Anyways, one thing leads to another as they say and i started swotting up on straight razors.
So, i ended up buying one from Ebay with the idea of polishing it up and getting it honed. The razor i won is a Bengal, quiet well regarded i believe. Oh incidentally, I won it for 99p, which for you American chaps is about a $1.50 i believe.

So, heres a couple of photos so you can see it. Now as to the questions. Did i make a good buy? Does it look like it has the capability of being restored to a usable razor? If you were hand sanding it (as i intend to) what grit would you use as a starting point?

Thanks very much for your kind attention chaps.

Generally if you have to ask if you made a good buy, you shouldn't have made the purchase.

In your case though, I'd say you got a steal. The blade has some wear at the toe, but it should still hone up nicely and easily give you a lifetime of good shaves if you take care of it. I've really liked the shaves I've gotten from the Bengalls that I've used.

Congrats, and welcome to SRP!

I just got done hand sanding a Torrey that was ugly and rusted a bit. I started with a 320 and worked up to a 2500. It has a mostlymirror finish, but with a buffing wheel and compound could be finished up nicely. It took me about 6 hours to get it mostly done. I used the guide here Hand sanding a blade - Straight Razor Place Wiki I just didn't use the blocks.

Dreamofgilgamesh,

First, welcome to SRP - these are great guys here and I'm sure you are going to love it here.

Second, your razor looks great at 10 times the price. I think just MAAS polish is all it might need.

What are your resources for getting her honed?

Alembic

Welcome to SRP. I'm with Alembic on that one. Some metal polish on a paper towel and then to the hones. Note the 6 hours hand sanding that KingsRam said it took to get his ready for the buffer. If you're into that than go for it. A friend of mine used to tell me of 10 hours hand sanding. Not my cup of tea.

From your use of the expression "chaps" sounds like you're in the UK ? Niel Miller or Blue Principle could hone that up for you. Giving you something shave ready to use and to compare your own efforts to when you do get some more razors to work on. Check out the SRP Wiki here, the beginner's guide, along with many tutorials on honing, preparation and shaving. :gl:

Thanks very much chaps (and yes, i am from England) your replies were most helpful.

And thanks for the suggestions of where to get it honed. I shall polish away and perhaps make some new scales from a nice piece of mahogany that i have.
How i get on with actualy using it remains to be seen, but i shall certainly give it my best effort.

Many Thanks

Hey Jimmy, there'd be a few Aussies that might take offence at being accused of being from the U.K. So'K old chap, I tend to say Blokes m'self... :D
Personally, I guessed the bloke to be of British origin when the reference to learning was described by the use of the words 'swotting up'. :)


Mick

Dreamofgilgamesh,

Welcome and hello from Hastings :)

Adnams Best - :( IMHO, not one of Southwolds' better efforts :)

Adnams Broadside (bottled, 6.3% ABV) would be much more like it :)

I really like my Bengalls; they are an excellent shaver for me.

I would ship the razor off to Mr Neil Miller (www.strop-shop.co.uk).

It will come back looking like new, and with a killer edge to boot :)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Ah yes, Adnams Broadside, delicious! A bit heavy for a session but lovely none the less. Actually, my long suffering wife never tires of telling people that 28 years ago i arranged for our honeymoon location to be the Swan Hotel at Southwold, right next to the Adnams brewery lol.

DreamOfGilgamesh,

:)

I used to live in Norwich, and have spent many a happy (drunken!!) day in Southwold :)

There used to be an Admans shop on Unthank Road in Norwich, but they shut it down just after I moved to Hastings - probaby caused by the loss of my not in-considerable trade !!! :)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Well, should you visit Norwich again you'll be pleased to see that theres a brand new Adnams shop!
I'm also please to say that i enjoyed a few pints of Adnams last night in my local in Kings Lynn.

Welcome to SRP ! Hey,if you use Mahogany for scales,please post pics.I love old school Mahogany .Maybe a bit of nickel inlay at the bottom of the scale like the old school razors......sorry got carried away there. welcome and good luck with your new baby . :):)