Printable View
There seems to be two approaches to restoring straight razors:
(1) restore minimally, retaining the antique flavor, and
(2) restoring to mirror finish.
I don't think there is a right answer. While I prefer #1, I think the more common philosophy here is #2. But, could be wrong.
With your personal razors, do you prefer #1 or #2?
I would have to say, it depends.
While I do like the patina some blades just don't wear it well. The minimum I would perform is to clean w/ soap and water. Next would be metal polish. If the scales are trash the more I will restore the blade, unless it is a hollow ground where I will do what I can but accept what is there to stay. Guess I can say I have a bit of this and a bit of that in my collection and I like it that way.
On some blades I like to continue the history of the blade and others I start history over with a restore. Besides, if I restore all of the razors Jr won't have any to do on his own when the collection becomes his. :)
I am a # 1 man within reason. If they are very rusty I would probably not buy but if I did I would sand the rust off. I do clean them up with metal polish and a paper towel but polishing them to a mirror is not my thing or replacing original scales unless they are broken or really shot. Especially when we are talking old Sheffields. More modern stuff I might be more open to a rescale or even polishing with power tools.
I'm a minimal restore person myself. I don't think most blades from the late 1800s had a crazy mirror finish to begin with. It's all the the shave for me. The newer blades look cool with the mirror finish though.
In my opinion there is a big difference between rust and patina. Most obviously any kind of red rust has to go immediately. That means your razor is going south fast. A shiny razor with spiderwebbed pits is hideous to me so must be polished out. Now an old Sheffield with a dark surface, even unevenly, just needs to be wiped down with a sturdy oiled rag. I do my best to clean all dirt from it yet try not to polish any of the brass/copper fittings. Eventually the patina will have a slight dark polish to it from the wiping. It's taken those old girls a long time to earn those marks and I love to show them off. Solingen razors are a different story. I say make them look mint or bring them as close to it as you are willing to.
Depends on the blade, and depends on the patina.
+1 what Holli said, so far 99% of the blades I have seen have pitting under the patina, but if the patina is good then no reason to take it away.
Gotta go with this. Some blades it just looks right on. Some you can see where they would look nice polished up. If it's rusty it gets the treatment.Quote:
Originally Posted by holli4pirating
I've restore my fair share and lord knows i've broke 1 or 2 in the process. :banghead: I started wet shaving cause i loved the fact that it was kind of a lost art form. I only restore to get rid of rust and damaged scales. IMO patina and water marks give it character. The journey of how that particular razor got into my hands is fascinating to me. Staring at the blade i drift and wonder who all in its lifetime used it? What did they do for a living? Was it someone important? What was going on back then? The earliest str8 i've owned was a huge 7/8 wb circa 1850's. Like a time capsule 160yrs later it found it's way to me! I love the feeling of holding an old razor in my hands. Luckily i didn't have to do much to the wb to minimally restore. But you get my point. If someone wants bright and shiny, then buy new or nos... And leave the antiques to the aficionados.
I like when they look new again, but still retain their vintage flavor.
Pure #1 guy myself. I only take off active rust and remove rot if I can. I used to use a dremil to clean off the crud but I ended up removing to much patina with it, so I stopped using it and go with finger power only now. Sometimes a finger nail is needed :p
A newly made razor is alowed to be shiny, an old and rare must have it's patina :)
I have to admit being surprised by how many commenting above like leaving a razor in the antique state. Which leaves me wondering why the majority of razors sold here are polished and shiny?
When I put up razors for sale, I am somewhat apologetic about their state. I include good photos, so no surprises! And, include "cosmetic flaws exist, yada, yada."
I will continue to make everything clear in my ads. Maybe, I should not feel so apologetic for putting razors up for sale that are in the state I prefer them, but thought most members did not like.
Interesting...
I've only newly started working on restoration stuff and am yet to actually complete one so maybe I will gain an appreciation for the patina but right now it's all in the shine for me. It's astounding how much change comes out when running through the micro mesh, I've actually started polishing random stuff like some antique thumb tacks and brass keys. Other than being fancy I also suspect that such a finish provides no purchase for the small amount of water which might get left on the blade in my clumsiness.
Depends on the blade but #1 is the choice i prefer.
If there is rust i send it gently away, clean the blade with some metal polish and that is is. I like old razors, knives and tools show their high age with proud. Same goes with scales. I clean and save them if possible.
Some razors i've had have been in such bad condition that there was no choice but to clean them and put a mirror finish. With these it also easier to make and put some fancy scales.
Shiny things will sell faster. From what I have observed and in general, more senior members are more selective in what they purchase. I do like shiny razors but it is not a requirement for them to be shiny for them to be in my collection and used for a shave.
As a newer guy.... I really like the look of a razor that shows it's age. Not to mention that from what I have noticed, with that nice looking patina come a nice protective layer over the bade. And as a new guy, when you are learning, techique, how to lather, how to strop, how not to loose an ear, ect...
Not having to worry about trying to keep that mirror finish is a good releif. And Finally knowing that you are adding a piece of yourself to a blade that has already had a full life is something very special.
-jeremy
I also think that a fully restored (+shiny) makes for a safer buy at higher prices. Many blades that have patina and such on them make it hard to tell, on some pics, just what your getting. So you see some well made, older, razors fully polished to enhance the experience. Not that I'm knocking these blades, they are great safe buys of some great craftmenship and I wouldn't toss one out because of it's shiny condition. It's just not what I would put money down for... Ya I know I'm cheap... comes from being broke :p
If given the choice, I also would definitely go for #1.
If it's old, it should look the part.
Unless of course a total restore is needed to save the blade, and ensure its shaving abilities.