Thread: Help identify old George Wolstenholm & Sons please

Hi all, an old George Wolstenholm & Sons straight razor was handed down to me after my dad died a few months ago. I just got around to breaking it out and having a look. Case is clearly a little damaged (and taped, grr...) but otherwise in good shape. No nics, scale is in good shape. A couple tiny bits of rust on the handle where your thumb/finger would hold it and near the tip. Forgive me I'm no entirely familiar w/ all the terms, I've never looked into straight razors before today.

Any info on what I have here would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

My father means everything to me so I'm very sorry for your loss. The fact you have his razor is a very special thing. It looks like it could still be a serviceable blade that just needs a little TLC. I have 2 Wostenholms and both are great shaving razors!!! If I were you I would send it out to be cleaned up and honed, then learn to use it!! I'm sure more of the guys, especially the more knowledgeable guys, will be by to give you more Info!! Very nice blade by the way.

Welcome to SRP.
Wostenholm made very good razors.
Hope, these links would be helpful:
Wostenholm, George & Son - Straight Razor Place Wiki
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...pipe-shop.html
George Wostenholm & Son, Sheffield.

Thanks all. Dad was an old spice safety razor man, this might have been from grandpa or someone else further up in t he family. Dad just had it.

Interesting thing is this one doesn't have the pipe logo on it. Not sure the significance. I'm not sure wether to have it restored or keep as-is.

You have active, red rust. That needs to be neutralized and removed. It has stained the scales. Once into the scales, the stains will always remain. Some pretty immediate action should be considered. Good part is with a proper conservation type cleaning, waxing and oiling, perhaps in a frame, it will make a swell heirloom for you and your family. Of course it will be there should you ever want to hone and shave.

Any tips on how to get started on the conservation?

Without unpinning it, I would use a lead pencil and scrub at the active rust, possibly using some paste polish smeared on as well. An old toothbrush dipped in diluted simple green to scrub the scales, getting around the inside as best possible. Smash some q-tips with a hammer, dampen with water, dip into Comet or Ajax and use inside the scales and pivot area to clean and try to get some of the rust stains out. hand-polish the blade and spine a while with Maas or similar polish. Then, another good scrubbing, rinse, dry well with a low heat hair dryer, particularly in the pivot area. Some wax on the scales then oil the blade with a q-tip dipped in light oil, avoiding the bone. it should look much better and more importantly, authentic. Light and easy things will not hurt it. Do your work on a towel in case of drop and to avoid damage. Avoid the edge. polish and scrub downward on it and don't cut yourself!
Good luck!