New guy with old blades

Hi guys.. I am new to the forum.. Over a decade ago I inherited these two straight razors from my grandfather. They sat on a shelf in a corner for a long time until a few months ago I pulled them out and looked them up online. I was shocked when I found that at least one was from the early 1800s. I almost fell out of my chair. I wish my grandfather was alive so I could ask him about these. Anyhow. I have been wanting to try and start shaving with a straight razor and I figure this is the place to learn. After lurking a bit and watching a TON of Youtube videos I think I have the basics. The one with the tortis shell scales labled the G.JOHNSON showing 8 stars and a pipe is the one that I dated to the early 1800s I think 1824 was the last year they made them. This has a little rust on the spin and very little honing marks. The other one is an H.BOKER &co "king cutter" As far as I can find this is early to mid 20th century. There is a honing service in the next town from me and I am thinking of getting these blades at least sharpened. This something that I should do? Are these blades worth using? What about getting them polished? Is THAT something that I should do? like I said I am a reel "Noob" when it comes to this and for the past twenty something years I have relied on good old Gillette mach 1,2,3,4,5 etc. ..Attachment 129508Attachment 129507

That Johnson is sweet. Doesn't look like it needs much work either.

Welcome to SRP Jamaf, Thanks for sharing your razors, both look in good condition and both from very good manufacturers as well. Both razors are definately worth using for sure. Your Johnson razor with the Hammer and seven stars is probably from 1840. Having family heirlooms like that is wonderful, take good care of them, and then you can pass them over.

Hi and welcome to the forum jamaf. Got to agree that your razors look to be in good condition and may need only a light cleaning with some metal polish like Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish or similar polish. I would be a little cautious as to who I got to hone my razors as it is a specialized job. A place that sharpens knives, scissors, garden shears and lawn mower blades may not know how to properly do the job. Personally, I would send them out to a specialist for honing. There are vendors on this site you could contact to ask about that and they could also do a restoration at the same time. I am not familiar with your Johnson razor but I do have a vintage Boker King Cutter that took a good edge and shaves like the devil.

Bob

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Originally Posted by BobH

Hi and welcome to the forum jamaf. Got to agree that your razors look to be in good condition and may need only a light cleaning with some metal polish like Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish or similar polish. I would be a little cautious as to who I got to hone my razors as it is a specialized job. A place that sharpens knives, scissors, garden shears and lawn mower blades may not know how to properly do the job. Personally, I would send them out to a specialist for honing. There are vendors on this site you could contact to ask about that and they could also do a restoration at the same time. I am not familiar with your Johnson razor but I do have a vintage Boker King Cutter that took a good edge and shaves like the devil.

Bob

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Thanks for the tip Bob.. The Company I was looking at specializes in straight razor repair customization and restoration. So I think they may be ok. I would rather go to some one where I can hand my blades over personally vs putting them in the mail.. Either way it's nice to know I don't have junk here. I will be looking at getting myself a strop/brush and once the blades are sharp try not to cut my face off. This should be fun.:p

jamaf

You are a lucky dog to have a specialist so close to you and I can understand not wanting to mail them out. Let us know how you make out getting them honed and if you have any questions on brushes and strops just ask away.

Bob

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Originally Posted by jamaf

looking at getting myself a strop/brush and once the blades are sharp try not to cut my face off. This should be fun.:p

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There is some great tips and information in the wiki, about your first shave, stropping etc : Straight Razor Place Wiki - Straight Razor Place Wiki

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Originally Posted by Martin103

There is some great tips and information in the wiki, about your first shave, stropping etc : Straight Razor Place Wiki - Straight Razor Place Wiki

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Thanks Martin.. That's great...

Hi, I have one of those G.Johnson razors with the pipe and 7 stars but unfortunately the blade has 2 cracks in it and my scales are black, from what I found out about mine that razor is made somewhere from 1834 to 1853 or thereabouts I think, something to do with the pipe trademark being sold to that company in that time frame. That company did make razors and scissors before that date but not with that trade mark. The blade steel feels extremely hard and possibly why mine has cracks in it.

Others here might shed more light on this, both of those should be good shavers and if you look after them they will probably outlast you as well.

Cheers

Ed.

Welcome to SRP. Beautiful old shavers you've got there. Both are from highly respected makers but IME the King Cutter is one of the best there is.

I would suggest that you take the razors to the specialist one at a time. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket so to speak. If the results are satisfactory bring the other. IME the world is full of specialists who are all talk and no substance. I hope this is not one of those cases but honing straight razors is truly a specialized skill. :gl:

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I would suggest that you take the razors to the specialist one at a time. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket so to speak. If the results are satisfactory bring the other. IME the world is full of specialists who are all talk and no substance. I hope this is not one of those cases but honing straight razors is truly a specialized skill. :gl:

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Thanks Jimmy.. but too late.. Got both my blades in and they should be done by the beginning of next week I had a chance to speak with the guy and see some of his custom razors. He seems to know what he is talking about.. Time will tell I guess.