Thread: Stop me before it is too late.

Close your eyes and visualize who will get them after you are dead and in the ground. I wonder what they will do with them ? If you want to be a custodian for artifacts from the 20th century keep them as is. For myself, I would want to kick the tires and take them around the block.

That was option 1. Option 2 ..... Full disclosure .... I have two 7 day sets in pristine condition that I've never done anything but wipe off and admire. I'm a custodian on these ....... so far. I have another 7 day set that had some rust here and there and hone wear on one of the blades. I've honed and shaved with all of them. I also have a 4 day set .... yes, 4 day in a 4 day fitted case .... marked A.W. Stanifoth Cutler, Cardiff, with horn and 1/4 hollow blades. I've honed 'em all and enjoyed shaving with them. So I guess it depends. Someday I may break out one or both of the pristine sets and use them, but not today.

I don't buy razors I'd be conflicted on using. Hence, all of mine were purchased in really bad shape, and are now in really ok shape... I understand your dilemma, but it seems you'll have to make that call yourself. Sorry buddy.

I would say the honing part is up to you, but I think it should be done and they should be used. If you are happy with your own edges, then go for it and hone them yourself. I think just about everyone on here would do the same. Just look at all the gorgeous restores and the amazing new razors that show up in pictures here that are used as soon as they are received by the owners (or by the person that restored the old razors themselves.)

YMMV

Henckels are good razors. Hone them, use them and become part of their history.

I like what JimmyHAD said, and if I ever get lucky enough to get a set I will send them to Glen to have them honed and use them the way they were intended to. I've a feeling I'll feel refined and gentlemany doing so too.

In full disclosure, I'm a lover of old stuff who is repelled by the "antique" culture. I have a particular love of old tools, and I've gathered my fair share of them. Each and every one of them has seen use at my hands and I can't understand why someone would want them in a glass case to be looked at. The way I see it, that's why we have paintings and pictures; to look at.

Back to razors, though. If the razors were bought as an investment, they will certainly hold better value if they are unused and pristine. If the return on your "investment" is not a concern, it seems to me you want to use them pretty badly, so I think you should hone the set and shave and be happy. If I were your brother I couldn't give you better advise.

Best,


Marcos

I have at least a hundred razors and I shave with all. I do have a few with good gold wash and I shave with them rarely so as to not harm the gold but I enjoy the use of each one and will for the rest of my life.
YOu need to get some hones and start experimenting and learning how to use them. There is something special about shaving with a razor you have sharpened or restored. Watch the youtube videos and learn. This is the way I learned and You can too.
Stingray

From my perspective unless the razor is a really rare model or belonged to someone of serious historical importance or has some serious provenance tied to it I would just use it.

They have been in a coffin for a long time.
If they were mine I would bring them to life and let them shine on and do what they were meant to do.

Use it or lose it I say. Enjoy them now, as all things deteriorate with the passing of time. Using them may speed that process slightly, but at least they are being useful as well as beautiful.


Mick

I feel you should have the same person hone them all and use them. How often do we see sets in which a few blades were used. It takes away from the set if they are not all uniform. I say this is a black handled Henckels set which is not a holy grail collectible, but a fine set to use! WHO better than YOU!
Henckels are GREAT! Enjoy them all!