Thread: How do you refurbish a used razor?

Is there a standard tune-up process you guys use after purchasing a used razor?


I'm completely new at this and just picked up my first straight razor. It has been used, but seems in good shape and I don't see any nicks along the cutting edge of this one, which is in part why I chose it. I wonder if I'd be ok just honing it, or if it needs some kind of rougher sharpening first.


I've gone through cleanup/ tuning/ sharpening rituals with used hand planes, and wonder if there is a similar liturgy for straight razors.


Incidentally, is anyone familiar with the razor I just bought? It is a King brand, the model is Karbon King 5/8.


Thanks!

Yes! King razors are very good. Mr. King put a big variety of names on his products. I have a "King Midas" and have had about 4 others with different names on them. One I remember was a King's "Hair Tested". Good American steel from PA. They don't really warrant a full resto, as to collectivity. I recommend to keep after hand polishing until you are OK with it and hone it/get it honed and Shave!
Yours looks to be a good shaver candidate.

Personally,

Unless the razor is in terrible shape I just take it apart, clean the scales ect, buff any rust/crap off the blade, give the whole thing a treatment with mothers metal polish, re-pin it back together then Hone it.

Unless I know the previous owner, I will kill the edge on glass and reset the bevel just so that I know where it is coming from.

Oh, and sometimes I'm too giddy to do any of that crap and just shave with it...

If needed, how would someone reset the bevel?
Would that be with waterstones? Sandpaper on glass? Bench grinder?

Originally Posted by Bhip

If needed, how would someone reset the bevel?
Would that be with waterstones? Sandpaper on glass? Bench grinder?

I use a shapton glass stone at the 1k grit. You can also use a piece of 1000k grit wet and dry automotive paper if you wish.

Send it to someone here to set the bevel and hone it. Get a benchmark edge on it. Maintain it and learn how to restore it later! Shave! TMO

Welcome to SRP.

LESS is more with a razor's edge. I set bevels with a 1K grit CHOSERA, and then work my up through 5K, 8K, and 12K.

Bench grinders and razors generally don't get along too good. Razor steel is as hard as it can be made and will break like glass. A bench grinder will help it along REAL quick.

You know what an edge ought to be for wood working stuff and a razors edge is WAY beyond that. you might think about sending that darlin' out to one of the guys here on the forum that hone razors for folks. There are several good ones. That way, you can see and feel what a razor's edge is supposed to feel like. At that point you'll have a good shaver and you can work your way further into this madness or toss it out the window if you don't like shaving with one.

Originally Posted by Wullie

Welcome to SRP.

LESS is more with a razor's edge. I set bevels with a 1K grit CHOSERA, and then work my up through 5K, 8K, and 12K.

Bench grinders and razors generally don't get along too good. Razor steel is as hard as it can be made and will break like glass. A bench grinder will help it along REAL quick.

You know what an edge ought to be for wood working stuff and a razors edge is WAY beyond that. you might think about sending that darlin' out to one of the guys here on the forum that hone razors for folks. There are several good ones. That way, you can see and feel what a razor's edge is supposed to feel like. At that point you'll have a good shaver and you can work your way further into this madness or toss it out the window if you don't like shaving with one.

What Wullie said!

Yeah! What everyone else said!

Plus, don't mess with those bulky, expensive stones. Instead, get bevel [re]set and honed by a "pro", and learn to maintain it properly using a modular, pasted-felt strop. Oh, one more thing: Learn to shave with both hands.

Smooth shaving!

Originally Posted by JBHoren

Oh, one more thing: Learn to shave with both hands.

Smooth shaving!

We're supposed to both hands?

I've been using my feet all this time.............................................. .............