Thread: Das old skoolen.

Hi guys, new member here. I recently decided to take up using a straight razor instead of the usual Mach 3. I got rather lucky since I was able to find my grandfather's straight razor stuff. He's been dead for 13 years, figured everything would be gone by now but wow did I get lucky finding everything. Unfortunately the razors are not in good shape.

Obligatory terrible pic: (If better pics are wanted, I can definitely provide them. Just got this one quick and dirty.)
http://i.imgur.com/WFHxG.jpg

The razor on the left is a Cadman Bengall Cast Steel razor. The scales are badly warped and falling apart. There's a bit of rust on the blade near the pivot point and the outward corner of the blade is rounded and I think it originally was squared.

The razor on the right is a Torrey Razor Company razor. Really bad shape, badly rounded end and a chunk is taken out of the blade. The scales are actually in pretty good shape, might transplant them over to the Cadman. Really unfortunate about the blade as I've read that Torrey's are quite good razors.

The strop is a Medal of Award 813. It's very dry and there's a good bit of surface cracking to the horsehide. I don't think it can be saved, but I would appreciate if someone could prove me wrong.

Last but not least, the brush and mug. The brush is a Kingsley Pure Bristle #840. No idea if it's badger or boar, but it seems rather soft to me. The mug is just a regular coffee mug, grampa was being thrifty.

No idea on the exact age of any of this stuff, but it's probably around 50 or so years old as my grandfather was born in 1918. Even if the razors and strop are too far gone to put back into service it's nice having this stuff since it was my grandfather's. Quite a nice find eh?

Welcome!

First and Foremost! Everyone Loves to see what a razor looks like!: Pictures are always welcome! Pictures will allow for the more experienced members to give you 'Options' as what to do!

With that said! I find it very cool that you have a heritage razor! I have my Great Grandfathers W&B Near Wedge. If you would like to see what is 'Possible' give me a PM and I'll give you the link for the Before/During/And After!

Again! Welcome to the most Friendly, Informative and Helpful site on the Web concerning Anything about Straight Razor Shaving!

Welcome to SRP, and congrats on your find! Seems grandpa had good taste, those were all fine functioning instruments. The scales on that Bengall might be salvageable, they look like they might be horn but it's hard to tell from the pic. If it were mine, I'd send it out to one of the restorers here, they do amazing work and that is heirloom gear. For it's age the strop looks in pretty good condition to me, looks like grandpa sure did know how to use it. There are many posts that deal in detain about reconditioning old strops, this one, for instance. Best of luck, and let us know how it goes.

If the strop has some oil or something rubbed into it, it can soften the leather and stop it from cracking, so that may still be salvagable. The brush and mug just need a good clean.

The razor on the left (depending on better photographs to see more) may be salvagable, but you'd need to find someone to make a new set of scales for it.

The middle razor looks like it's for the scrap-man.

Better pictures as requested
http://i.imgur.com/7IuF7.jpg

On the Bengall near the bolster it seems like the blade has had a good bit of material removed since the blade looks concave. Not sure if that's how it's supposed to be, or if it was over sharpened in it's lifetime. The rounded edge at the point of the blade, I'm not sure if that's original or if it's a result of too much material being removed too. Either way this one has the best potential to be brought back into service. The scales unfortunately are in incredibly bad shape. I highly doubt those can be saved, rather unfortunate really.

On the Torrey, hoo boy it's rather obvious. The massively rounded point and chunk out of the blade put this one well beyond any chance of restoration sadly. The scales are in decent shape, the end of one is cracking but otherwise they're OK. I don't particularly care for the handle as it feels way too light. So I'm going to keep that one together "all original" and leave it completely as is.

If you guys want even better pictures, just let me know. And thanks for the info/suggestions guys, I appreciate it.

wow those are some hardcore shaving implements your forefather used

If it was me, I would try and have that Bengall restored and use the scales from the Torey. Make a wedge from the Bengall scales. Use the Torrey for a letter opener

Clean em up a bit put them in a shadow box and buy a new razor, Just my opinion. I think old family heirlooms are awesome and should be preserved and un altered. just to show your kids and their kids someday. but thats just me. eaither way awesome find! and Welcome aboard!

The Bengall doesn't look too bad. It needs some new scales, a sharpen and a stropping, but otherwise it looks fine. The other one...well. I dunno.

Or you could use the scales from one to fix the other...

You can keep the Bengall for the sentimental value, but your best course of action is to get a good razor. Something without excessive and uneven hone wear and the frown of the Bengall and with at least functional scales. If you want get another Bengall just in good condition. Here's what a really good one looks like (although yours started as a wedge and was later reground to hollow):

or may be like this one:


You should try to salvage the strop, sometimes it's not possible, but may be it'll work out for you.