Restorable or just a look pretty?

Hey guys. New member here, and I got a question. I found this at the local antique store and can't identify any makers marks. It just says "Soligen" on one scale and the rear of the blade. The blade looks to be okay to me, but I don't know what I'm looking at. There is some obvious pitting further into the curve of the blade near the spine, but the edge appears to be in great shape. There is some rusting and tarnishing on the blade but that is easy to take care of. My question is this. Is this worth trying to restore and use or would it be a good look pretty? And does anyone have any idea on the maker or origin? Sorry for the poor pics, but all I had was my cell phone.
Thanks in advance gents.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...t01/razor1.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...t01/razor2.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...t01/razor3.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...t01/razor4.jpg

I would say that razor is definitily worth restoring, I c some what could be some pitting on the blade but it dosent look to bad i would say find someone in the classified to restore it. good luck

That razor scares me a bit. I noticed someone "tried" to reshape the heel.

I would try to set a bevel on it and see what you find before I put any time and effort into restoration.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

That razor scares me a bit. I noticed someone "tried" to reshape the heel.

I would try to set a bevel on it and see what you find before I put any time and effort into restoration.

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I c that now i think you should definitaly do that,i dident notice that untill i took a closer look at the pics.if its will take an edge then its worth it.

i'd find something better.

Put it in a drawer until you can do it yourself. It'll probably be alright but don't drop big bucks on it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gugi

i'd find something better.

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It can be saved, but I have spent less on better blades!

:deadhorse:

And I have spent more on worse blades. We're all new at some point. Don't feel bad, do like someone above said and try to set a bevel on it. If you can get a clean bevel, you lucked out. If not, you've got a pretty cool letter opener and some new perspective. There's something to be said for that.

It may never look pretty, but can be (more than likely) cleaned up to be a good serviceable razor. See what a little elbow grease will get you...as long as there is good steel at the edge as mentioned above. This razor looked like yours, Mikko is now the owner of this one:

Attachment 55797

Attachment 55798

I think I'm going to go ahead and get it tomorrow. It's marked $25, but I can probably get it for around $10...I've paid more for a crappy pocket knife, and if worse comes to worse, I've got a neat little cheese slicer!!!

If you can get the price down by 20 bucks it will be worth cleaning up, I like the design and it looks like it has potential as a shaver, but I would not pay the 25 that they are asking.

Thought you had already bought it...ditto to what Kelly mentioned above.

I wouldn't bother. It could probably be restored, but it just wouldn't be worth the effort. There are lots of better razors available for that price or less.

That said, if you feel like a challenge and the seller will lower the price, go ahead and give it a shot. You can't lose much.

Mike

I'm thinking $10 for the razor (most likely $15), plus $25 to $30 for honing and cleaning = whipeddog razor ready to use.

I like the scales, but that chunk missing from the blade is a showstopper for me. While I wouldn't throw it away if someone gave it to me, I wouldn't spend money on it.



Disclaimer: I don't know what I'm talking about most of the time, but I think I'm right.

The grind on that razor is one of my favorites! I agree with the suggestion to try putting a bevel on it first. But... be assured that the edge has oxidized and weakened the steel so that weakened steel must be removed first and then the bevel created after that. About 100 laps on a 1000 grit should get rid of the oxidized steel. Unfortunately you will only know if you have removed enough when you hit the 8000 grit. If there is still poor steel on the edge then it will show up as microchipping and an inability to hold an edge while shaving.

Hope this helps, :)