Thread: Beginning Restoration Tip: November 2013

I am going to be focusing a new series of tips, on Restoration as I see issues arise for new people to this side of the hobby..

I was noticing a ton of questions this past month or so and accompanying pics all asking the same thing in the Workshop

Is this razor restorable?????

There are certain steps I take when asking myself the same thing, I decided to use my new USB Microscope to help answer some of these

First the initial pics of an "Old English Razor" maker unknown at this point in time...





Then after trying to find good steel using a DMT 325 and a Naniwa SS 400 with heavy slurry using 3 layers of 3M #700 tape

Point



Front Middle



Back middle



Heel





This is Restore Rule #2: "If you can't get a clean even bevel across the edge then everything else is a moot point" (for the purposes of these tips I am going to assume that you want to shave the razor you are working on)

As you can see from the test so far this razor is not getting a passing grade, but this is still early on, I have spent seriously 10 minutes so far, will have more pics as the test progress.. I never give up too early, you want to push the tests that way you never dump a good razor, and even then sometimes I come back to it in a month or two...

Thanks Glen. Will definitely be following these. Did I miss Rule #1?

No I will back track to that one next month, I just noted quite a few of these threads recently and it prompted me to start a new series

I think I will be starting the Tuesday Restore Chat back up also

Good idea to start this thread! I assume Restore rule #1 is buying a restorable razor?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

... I am going to assume that you want to shave the razor ...

Love hairy razors

So after 20 more minutes of grinding away and light Bread-knifing (DMT 325) then grinding (Naniwa SS 400) I have found clean steel along the bevel..








These two pics are the best I could get of the two worst areas, as I learn this camera better I hope the pics will get better

Keep in mind this is just the first small step to a restore, all this told us was that from initial testing the razor looks to be solid enough to hold an edge. But without taking the 30 minutes I did, one could have done all the restore in the world and ended up with a Swisscheese edge on a pretty razor



Hope this answers some questions for the Beginning Restorists out there

Quick extra tip:

Red Rust can be quickly scraped away to get a good idea of what waits below with a SE blade or a Utility Knife Blade in fact it is a good idea so you don't clog up your first few Sandpaper attempts or burn the rust if you are using a buffer.. Takes seconds saves time and materials


It also let's me know that "The Old English Razor" that was stamped in the horn scales that shattered into pieces was a style and not where the razor was made




Any info on the maker is much appreciated

Mods: If you would like to keep this thread uncluttered, please feel free to delete this post.


Here
Official Catalogue of the Great Exhibition of the works of industry of all nations 1851
Page 108 listed as having metallic tablets and razor strops (1851)


Here
New York as it was and is: Giving an account of the city to the Present Time
Page 283 and 292 Listed as a Razor strop dealer and a Manufacturer of Cutlery


Here
Official Catalogue of the New-York Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations. 1853
George Saunders and Son Specimen of fine razor strops and a William Saunders listed with traveling dressing cases and razor strops
Page 89 and 91


Here
Fulton History Newspaper March 7, 1876
Advert for Razor Strops and Pocket books
Add is on left side, below the crease

Goins has two listings for Saunders on Page 242
1) George S. Saunders and Co was at 155 Washington Street, Boston Mass. Listed under cutlers and cutlery and hardware. 1895-1920
2) Saunders Broadway N.Y.


So, based on what little I could dig up, my WAG would be that Saunders and or his family started out in N.Y. selling razors and razor equipment in the late 1800s and the family ended up in Boston.

Curious to see what anyone else digs up, even if I'm off base

Awesome Glen appreciate the restoration tips.

Thanks for taking the time to put this together Glen.
Like many budding restorers i will watch these threads with a keen interest.

Can you tell us which USB microscope you use and its magnification levels?
Are they available on the Bay or similar site?

Thanks again for all the work you do to help us learn the skills needed.

I agree. Thank you Glen. Maybe when I venture out west we can meetup for a bit of mentoring.