Thread: Minimal Clean Up or Full Resto?

Got this off "gettinghardertohidefrommywife-bay"...It was listed as a Bontgen & Sabin 5/8. Only have two not so good pictures as you will see below but I got it for next to nothing and I really liked the spine....Looks to have some pitting but hopefully it will find its way into my rotation. Question is minimal clean up and shave or full on restoration? Let me know what yall think...

She's a beauty. I don't restore or send out to restore, unless there is something missing or damaged. Keep as close to original as you can. Clean her, hone her & she will be ready to go.

4 posts and already

Originally Posted by Ezra1957

"gettinghardertohidefrommywife-bay"

Boy you've got it bad. Thanks for the chuckle.

Based on just the photos tear-down and polish, but if the patina looks better in person clean it but other wise leave it as is except honing. Just my taste.

Jonathan

Do a quick clean up, polish w/ some chrome safe metal polish like Flitz, MAAS, blue magic and see how you like it. If you are satisfied with the aesthetics then leave it be, if you want new scales or whatever, then I would go from there. You are the one who is going to look at the razor day in and day out; if you don't like the way it looks you can always do something about it... it's just a preference thing.

I think it just need to be keep oiled.
Do clean and santize ya blades before honing and before using.
I don't take chances with the bacteria and fungry in the air.
I use that Barber stuff before every shave.
But that stuff can be bad for some scales.

You should do a full custom restore with ivory scales or exotic wood. stock scales are boring, and a mirror finish on a blade is just beautiful!

Originally Posted by Ezra1957

Got this off "gettinghardertohidefrommywife-bay"...It was listed as a Bontgen & Sabin 5/8. Only have two not so good pictures as you will see below but I got it for next to nothing and I really liked the spine....Looks to have some pitting but hopefully it will find its way into my rotation. Question is minimal clean up and shave or full on restoration? Let me know what yall think...

If you got the blade for next to nothing and you want to keep it that way I would suggest some light sanding and a metal polish to brighten up the blade. That usually does the trick once you seen what alittle time and effort will do on your part. If you go for a full restoration with all of this exotic wood and animal parts - you'll be looking at a nice little chunk of cashola my might go from "gettinghardertohidefrommywife-bay" to "my wife used me as a strop - hospital". I'm still waiting to do a full restore on one of the multitudes that I have collected so far.

Just my 10 + 90 cents

Im pretty sure im just gonna clean it up, maybe a little sanding depending on what she looks like in person...and as long as the scales aren't warped (like every other razor Ive gotten off ebay) i think they will buff out nicely, if not i have some beautiful black walnut ive been dying to use for scales...thanks for all the opinions!

IME there is no such thing as "a little sanding." Once that door is opened it takes a lot of elbow grease to close it satisfactorily. OTOH, metal polish and a paper towel is fast, easy, and usually good enough for me. YMMV. Nice razor , I like the spine too. Enjoy it !

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

IME there is no such thing as "a little sanding." Once that door is opened it takes a lot of elbow grease to close it satisfactorily. OTOH, metal polish and a paper towel is fast, easy, and usually good enough for me. YMMV. Nice razor , I like the spine too. Enjoy it !

You are right for sure about pandoras sanding box...Im just hoping this one won't be 10-15hrs worth (I have found hand sanding tedious yet satisfying)