Thread: My first vintage. Not sure what to expect

i was also watching that one hoping to bid. good to see it go to some one who will actually use it. i'd hate to see it just go to a collection in a box somewhere in a closet. happy shaving

I've got an older Frederick Reynolds that I LOVE shaving with!!

Actually I've got two, but I haven't tried the silver steel yet. Still working on getting it sharp like a razor ought to be. It had some issues when I got it.

Wow! Very nice Wullie

Ok, I received it today

First impression is that it is very sturdy and heavy. Definitely not a "singing razor" , but then I didn't expect that either.
It is only slightly hollowed, almost a wedge. I think I could like this sturdy feel from the razor actually, but I see why the sharpening can take time.

One small problem: there is a slight "chip" on the horn scale, which has been partially glued back, but I am afraid that the free edge could catch onto something and break. I was thinking of applying a tiny bit of clear epoxy, but maybe there are other materials that are better?

There is also a little bit rust where the shank of the blade is attached to the scales (near the pin as usual). I suppose I have to detach the scales to remove it, but I think I should leave that to experts. I'm a bit afraid to damage the scales further. I wonder if the rust will spread if not removed, even if I oil it?

I used my fine Chinese stone a little, but of course there are some tiny nicks in the blade that will take forever to get rid of. However, part of the blade sharpened up quite quickly, and there is something about the feel of it that I like (a bit more like an extremely sharp knife compared to my other razors)

I may still just send it in to the SRD people, or maybe you can recommend a slightly rougher stone that I can try to work on those small nicks?

Dental floss and metal polish may address the rust at the pivot area. As noted in many SRP posts, Norton 4k and 8k water hones work wonders. More aggressive? a Norton 1k water hone. The Norton hones have been used by many a SRP members that are very happy with the results. For faster work use the 1k followed by the 4k followed by the 8k. Have more time than money? Skipping hones is possible if you want to spend a LOT of time on the higher grit hones or loose some of the smoothness in the shave. Lower grit hones will remove chips faster. Good luck.

Thanks Joed! Yeah, I was definitely going by the "more time than money" route here. Right now, I also feel very reluctant to send it off to the experts, so maybe getting some more stones is the best way to go. Since I have a stone which is probably finer than the 8k, I could probably get by with the 4k 8k combo stone. Not too happy about the price though, and when it arrives I just might have already been able to hone it with elbow grease

By the way, folks. Does this razor qualify as a wedge? It is actually a tiny bit hollow, but you can hardly see it until it's on the hone or strop.

Most wedges have a small hollow, hence the expression, near wedge. True ones are said to exist and must be incredibly difficult to hone. Someone with experience of them may chip in.

I see! Thanks for the info. This one is definitely a wedge then, as I couldn't spot the hollowing until I put it on the stone. This will be interesting

By the way, the cracked part of the horn scales, which had a tendency catch onto things? I have reinforced very gently with beeswax, of all things. Pure filtered beeswax is actually surprisingly hard, and I have polished my wooden soap bowl with it as well (melting it with a hair-drier). I just wanted to smooth that crack a little, and it seems to have worked (if it flakes off, then no great harm done anyway)

I'll say this much, before you get an emotional attachment (I know, it's probably too late) to the razor, I would swap out those scales for something [more] functional, something that will last one or two lifetimes. I know for myself, I sometimes hang on to original scales way too long. But when I learned to do it - and do it right - it can be a neat hobby that really beauties up one a well loved razor (and it's not too expensive at all).