Thread: Submission: Straight Razor Grading

I prepared some contents for the Wiki regarding straight razor grading, borrowing some criteria from coins grading. I don't know if it is an interesting enough topic and if my descriptions/images are good enough. Just my contribution. [What I know is that a good re-translation could be of some help.]

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STRAIGHT RAZOR GRADING
[blade, marks&decorations, scales]

ex: [F,VG,G]

MS=mint, EF=extremely fine, VF=very fine, F=fine, VG=very good, G=good, AG=allmost good, Fair=fair, Basal= basal state.

1. BLADE

MS: as new and never circulated; no traces of honing;
EF: as new; barely visible and uniform honing wear;
VF-F: no traces of oxidation; little darker blemishes, patina, visible and uniform honing wear;
VG-G: little traces of oxidation, dark blemishes, patina, little changes of the blade shape (simmetry, grind, size) due to honing wear;
AG: extended traces of oxidation, extended changes of the blade shape due to honing wear;
Fair: cracks, heavy oxidation, heavy honing wear.
Basal: you can identify the lump of metal as being a razor.

2. MARKS AND DECORATIONS

MS: as new, never circulated;
EF: as new;
VF-F: slightly worn but completely visible;
VG-G: worn or damaged but completely visible;
AG: partially invisible;
Fair: invisible or unreadable.

3. SCALES

MS: as new, never circulated;
EF: as new, no marks or blemishes;
VF-F: small marks or blemishes, no chips cracks or deformation; original pins, if loose still with centered action;
VG-G: marks, small chips or deformations; original pins;
AG: evident chips or deformation; pins could have been replaced;
Fair: cracked; replaced or lacking pins;
Basal: fragment of scales.

PICTURES: see attachments.

I quite like that! Any takers for converting it?

Just for the record, using OpenOffice.org , you can actually write Wiki code in a text processor (like Word, only that Word is incapable of handling more than, well, a word in a meaningful fashion).

OpenOffice.org 3 is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It stores all your data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose.

It seems a good idea to try & standardise, especially with the visual reference. I did find it a little confusing that the term "Fair" refers to a razor that's far from fair condition in my opinion.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

I did find it a little confusing that the term "Fair" refers to a razor that's far from fair condition in my opinion.

..Yes, that's true, but it seems common terminology dealing with coins and other similar objects. Consider that under "Fair" there would be only "Basal state": it means that you can just understand that the object is a razor (vs a coin) and nothing more.

I like it. Having the visual reference really helps. It gives everyone a base understanding to work from and an image is much easier for everyone to interpret similarly.

Thanks clavichord. It's a great idea. Maybe you should include Basal State to cover rash ebuy purchases?

Basal State (Basal) - You can identify the lump of metal as being a razor.

Perfect. Thanks!

I think this could link to a piece of WIKI page, but I am still learning what to do and what not to do.

Well, I like it

Ok, done! The article now is in:

Background > Historic Shaving Tools > Straight Razor Grading