So I took in some razors to restore for our new friend Steve (SteveGib) who got the lot of mixed razors. He sent me 4 to look at.
Attachment 340676
I'll post as I go but I started with the one in the worst condition, an S.B Kahnweiller with the remnants of an engraving on the blade that says Damascus Steel. Not that it actually is Damascus steel but I wanted to try and save the engraving. It wouldn't really matter what it said. It could say shama lama ding dong and I would still try to save it.
Attachment 340677
As you can see it it has a lot of pitting. So just to have a look see I pasted it with 3M and let it sit all day while I was at work.
Attachment 340678
I actually covered the whole blade but I guess I didn't get pics of that. When I got home I added some 180 grit SIC powder to the paste and scrubbed with a rag to get some of the funk off and see what was below.
Attachment 340679
So, 2 things stand out. One, which I was concerned about from before I had it in hand, is that there is significant pitting at the edge. The other is it does not look like I can save that engraving.
Attachment 340680
The engraving is not deep enough and the pitting is too deep but more importantly I needed to see if I can get past that pitting at the edge. So first I reshaped the heel then I put 4 layers of tape and took it to the fine side of a big carborundum stone just to cut through the swiss cheese quicker.
Attachment 340681
Still a lot of crumbly stuff at the heel so I shaped it more to move the edge more forward out of the worst of it.
Attachment 340682
So remember for later that you can see here someone had some kind of tool like a Dremel or something on it probably trying to clean up rust.
So even after more than I really thought should be necessary for a test bevel set there is still enough pitting that I am not sure that I will really get clean steel without chips.
Attachment 340683
Attachment 340684
I may be able to get it to be a shaver that won't keep chipping but it is not really a restoration candidate in the strict sense. Also since there are tool marks it is possible that the temper has been compromised. Additionally, it is a bellied hollow grind but it looks like it has already been honed too close to the up slope of the belly.
Attachment 340685
Attachment 340686
So, I think this one may be best sent back to be left in the parts bin. Steve and I talked about it before he sent them and I said I'd take a look and see but I was unsure if it could be saved. Oh well, I think every lot I have bought has had at least one that was shot so it's to be expected.
More on the others in the next day or two.