Thread: 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. ..