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Just received this razor today in the mail. I was very excited to win it. I have no idea about it's age and origins. Can anyone help me with that?
Attachment 98591Attachment 98592Attachment 98593
It is as close to a true wedge as I own. I can't wait to have it cleaned up and shave ready. Anyone willing to take on this restore? I am wanting this one to look better than I can do with what I have. Thanks for looking.
Beautiful razor, certainly worth sending out!
Well I have been working on this razor since yesterday and have made good progress. Here is where it stands right now:
I am looking for opinions. Should I leave it like it is or send it out and get it fully polished?
That's a beautiful blade!
I think I would be happy to leave it as-is *unless* I was looking to sell it on in which case the extra polishing might well pay off.
Trust me, this one is a keeper! Thanks for the compliment.
That turned out nice, I would be happy with it!
Gorgeous. I am a fan of "as is", but it's personal preference. What was your grit progression (I'm assuming you sanded)?
Thanks ScienceGuy. I have to say that I'm a fan of it right now as well. I hand sanded it from 220, 280, 320, 400, 600, 1500, then MAAS. It took quite some time but it was worth it. Now I'm trying to set a bevel on it and that is taking over an hour so far. Lol. This blade is a lot of work but I know it will be worth it once I'm done.
I've got a 9/8's Wade with some patina and a few small pits (nowhere near the edge) and it think that it just gives a knod to it's age. You've got a very handsome razor there and if it where mine I'd leave it alone just as you have cleaned on it, unless you plan to sell it I wouldn't "BLING IT OUT." Very nice razor. I love that pointed spine. Happy shaving!!!
I'm glad that someone here got it - it was on my watch list too.
It will look great when done.
It would be a keeper in my rotation, too
Because the scales have a slight curve and there is a distinct transition between edge and tang I would say it is 1810 to 1820s. I would leave it as is. You've done a nice job in cleaning it up. Polishing it to a mirror , or even a satin finish, would be taking away from it IMHO. Really nice razor.
I would get it polished. Something about seeing an old razor like that turned into bling excites me. I don't leave any of my razors as is. ;)
That looks like a monster! Nice Job on the cleaning!
Nice job! It looks great!
Thank you everyone for your kind words. It was a long process. Thank you JimmyHAD for your help on an approximate age. That's sort of what I was thinking.
Does anyone know how to repair scales? I think these ones are horn. I'm not sure it's possible but I would like to keep these scales if I can.
The search bar returns a few threads on scale repair, Here's some:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...rn-repair.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...le-repair.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...-butchers.html
Thank you onimaru. I should have searched before I asked. Sorry.
Geeze, I didnt realize there was so much availabe info on the subject. I was thinking it was a new thing...Quote:
Originally Posted by onimaru55
To each their own and if you like 'em like that more power to you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Newbwithastraightrazor
However, when I see a wonderful old piece of shaving history that has been re-polished to a mirror finish, it makes me think of granny in a string top and mini skirt. ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmalak
No problemo :)
Well I managed to fix the scales and here are some pics:
Attachment 99083Attachment 99084
Looks solid. Should serve you well.
I'm going to shave with it tomorrow. I'll report how it goes.
Well I tried the shave today. It was okay. The blade was not as sharp as it should be but I don't shave with a full wedge like this at all so I'm not used to it. I'm going to try and re-hone it and shave again. I might need to send it out.
Not all razors can get the uber edge but practice both with honing & shaving should get you an optimised result at least.
After the third honing attempt with this razor I'm happy to report that I am making progress. It may not be able to take a super fine edge but I used my DT and LM from Aj1001 and it is passable now. So a couple more tries and I should have it dialled in.
These are among the best shavers of the period, so if you can't get it very sharp you're better off sending it out to one of the honemeisters.
So I had put this blade away for quite some time because I couldn't get the edge dialed in right. I have to say that I don't think I recognized how hard this old steel was. I just assumed that because it was old that the steel would be fairly soft. Either way I managed to get a very nice edge on this finally and it shaves very well. I can't wait to get it's twin or close to it. It's on the way to me currently.
I Barber 1810-1834 SheffieldQuote:
Originally Posted by rmalak
Leave it like that!!!
~Richard
