Thread: Basket case Masonic razor

Picked up this wreck of a Masonic razor at an estate sale today. Was looking for a challenging project for a cheap price and this looked like a good candidate. The blade is a heavy grind 13/16 and the only thing stamped on the razor is "Cast steel Sheffield" , no maker. Time will tell how well this goes.

Bob

I've been looking for one myself but they're hard to find and when you do they are either out of my range or dogs. This one looks like it should clean up ok the scales can always be made again.

Originally Posted by rhensley

I've been looking for one myself but they're hard to find and when you do they are either out of my range or dogs. This one looks like it should clean up ok the scales can always be made again.

Know what you mean on the pricing of these things and this one is in the dog category for sure. Even if I can't save the etch entirely I just might wind up with a heavy grind Sheffie that shaves at the very least. It will get new scales also. All in all not bad for $8.00 US.

Bob

Bob. First off congrats on your win in the monthly give away.
Now to the razor. I always start with CLR and a brass brush. Usually gets rid of most of the rust without harming the etching.

Yeah, don't keep the clr on too long though or you will have major discoloration issues though.

Originally Posted by kcb5150

Yeah, don't keep the clr on too long though or you will have major discoloration issues though.

Thanks for the heads up but I don't use CLR, maybe that is a good thing.

Bob

Thanks for the correction. I forgot to mention I apply the CLR with a tooth rush, work it in with the brass brush and wash it thoroughly under cold water.

Clr is good when you have a lot of rust on the exterior of a blade and you just want to get an idea of what was actually beneath before you start grinding away. Like if you had something with a lot of angles but also a lot of lines the clr can really give you the best shot to preserve them

Just a quick update. Cleaned the blade best I could and put it in a set of donor scales so I could hone it. It was one of the most frustrating razors I have ever had to hone. Finally would up using 4 layers of tape and all kinds of honing gymnastics before I was through. I can guess why nobody put a makers name on this razor. The spine was way too narrow for the blade width among other things. Surprisingly the 4 pass test shave went well enough, go figure. All is well that ends well but a heck of a journey to get there.

Bob

This is as good as I can get it without destroying the etch. Check out the bevel after 4 layers of tape. In the best tradition of a Rat Rod.

Bob