Thread: Unpacked my shaving stuff after 5 years. Advice / info needed on razors

I havent been on the board much for about 6 years. Over the last 5 years it was one thing after another that kept me from shaving with anything other than a trimmer from time to time. I have finally finished grad school and my full time job has changed slightly allowing me to work normal hours most of the time. After living in pajamas for literally 3 years of working from home and sleeping only a few hours a night I am determined to try and join society again...sort of lol. I've been getting dressed every day for work and sleeping on a regular schedule for 2 weeks now, even though work is still just a walk downstairs. I've found that anything which slows me down incredibly soothing and relaxing over the last year. I've moved from typing my meeting notes to writing them again in an effort to slow down and I think that a nice shave in the morning will really help me as well.

Uncivilized Josh: (this WAS me about as clean shaven as I got during my work and grad school days)


Civilized Josh (BTW, that is a real Rembrandt above the fireplace...obviously not my house lol)


All of that said, I've been here before, convinced I was going to start SR shaving again, but this time I'm going to invest a few dollars into it to make sure I follow through. I know that once I get a real shave again I will be hooked, which is convenient since a few of my razors need some restoration work. However, I'm unsure which to start with, what would be hardest to replace if lost in the mail (besides my custom razor), which should be babied with kid gloves and lastly which (if any) may only need a cleaning with something like fine steel wool, vs an actual restoration?

I have a very small and modest collection compared to many, but I'm emotionally attached to each and everything I have. I'm also a bit in dismay over the condition of some of my stuff, mostly because I'm an idiot.

In the below photo is most of my shaving stuff.
A few details are included for each item. I've started another thread asking for people who hone and are located near me, so I don't want to re-hash that. I'm more concerned about how to get stuff back into shaving condition and who is still on the forums that provides these services if I can't do it myself. I am totally out of touch with who is still on or not on the forums since I was active in 2006.

Accessories
Tony Miller custom heirloom strop: 4" x 30" of usable area. Either the leather stretched, or more likely the canvas shrunk through being stored in a box in the bathroom where the temperature and humidity changed with each shower. The leather won't pull taught anymore because the canvas won't stretch that far. I've contacted Tony to see if he can do any repair work on it. I'm not sure if he is still in business or not, but I assume from the website that he is.

Kent BK8 shaving brush: In good condition, but feels stiff. I think that there is a brush cleaning solution or powder out there, but I cant remember what it is called?
S. Neighbor hand painted mug: In perfect condition thankfully.

Razors (left to right): All stored in a low humidity gun safe and well oiled before storage, but time and lack of attention still impacted them a bit
12/8 Bill Ellis custom: The liner has separated in areas from the scales. We knew this was a possibility when making this, as it was a prototype and a tough build. They need to be re-glued. I've contacted Bill twice in the past few years for this and never sent it to him and feel bad asking again. The razor is perfectly usable and needs a good honing.

9/8 Marsh Brothers Pondworks Sheffield: I don't remember much about this one. The scales are bone and say Robert Williams on them. Has some light pitting / oxydation especially on the spine and wondering if its worth sending out to be restored by someone, or should I try to lightly sand it with fine steel wool myself?

8/8 Joseph Smith and Sons Celebrated Razor 3415: I don't remember what the scales are made of or who rescaled it. This one is in great condition, other than the beginnings of some very light oxidation on the spine. Definitely needs honing.

7/8 Bill Ellis restored Joseph Smith and Sons: inscribed with "Cutlers to Their Majesties No6 Norfolk Street Sheffield". Dessert Ironwood scales: This shows some light pitting and a tiny bit of rust in one spot. Needs to be honed.

8/8 Henkels Friodur INOX No Stain: Purchased NOS. Scales made by Gary (garythepenman). Perfect condition, but needs honing

8/8 Henkels Friodur INOX No Stain: Purchased NOS from John Crowley for my last shave as a free the morning of my wedding. It is off center when it closes and hits the scales. Also needs to be honed.

I was just using my knife for a sense of scale, which didn't really work that well, so you can ignore that.