A gift from a friend.

I was recently the best man in my friends wedding and received this as a part of my best man gift. It is a G. Wostenholm & Son I-XL Sheffield Eng. wedge with a barbers notch.

The etching on the blade says: The Americans give the right hand of fellowship to all nations and own an universal brotherhood.

I am wanting to have this one restored by someone with more experience than I have but am not sure what I want done. A full restore with custom scales and lose the etching or just a good clean up and honing? And if I do get the scales made what should they be, horn, wood? This is a very special razor to me and I want it to represent the feelings I have for it.

Attachment 81043Attachment 81044

Do whatever it takes to save the etching. I don't know if it's rare, but it's certainly more powerful than "Gauranteed", "Extra Hollow Ground", etc. I'm with you on the restoration choice. If ever I had a razor like that, it would be going to one of the heavy hitters for restore. I'm not about to live with the results of less than an expert. The other option is to oil it, and put it somewhere safe until you are confident enough in your abilities to tackle it. But, I'm pretty sure I'd have PM'ed some of the veteran restorers on here before I even started this thread if I were you. Go, now, seek out wise council...I am not him. haha. Oh, and personally, I like Sheffields in horn, or wood...darn I'm no help at all.

A wonderful looking razor and a thoughtful gift.
Give it the respect it deserves.
I would also do anything to save the etching and I think horn would look good.
Here's one I did recently for myself
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...4-8-wedge.html

What may not be apparent from the pictures is that the etching doesn't go into the metal but is only on it. In other words it is not engraved. The lettering is a mirror finish and the rest of the blade is a satin finish. Can it be cleaned up at all without harming the etching? And how is it done for my own future reference.

Also what looks like red rust on the blade looks like patina in person. I am getting better at taking pictures but still need work.

You might try some metal polish on a cotton tip for the two bits of patina near the heel and see how it goes - lightly does it though.

Save the etchings and just give her a new suit and a good bath and brushing, she'll look good as new and no worries about losing the etchings.