Which one would you would restore???

Hey Gents,
So I was pondering buying a brand spanking new straight (always bought and used vintage) and was going to pull the trigger on a Ralf Aust or a Dovo, probably a 6/8 or so. Then it dawned on me, I have bought some nice blades perfect for restoration in the last couple of years and then I just file them away in the razor "to do" tool cabinet. I have polished a few blades in the past and can hone a razor to shave worthiness but I have yet to attempt to re-scale, re-pin, make scales, etc. but I want to in the near future.

Before I attempt a full restore on my own I want to send one razor away to Glen or Max maybe for a restore. I admire the awesome work both of these fellows do and also wanted to have a professional restore done so I could have a shining example of what to strive for when doing my own restores in the future.

Enough rambling, all of these razors have been untouched by me and are in the condition I found them in. I don't have any of these well known makers currently in my shave rotation so I am not privy to one brand vs. the other but am aware of the reputation of each maker. With that said......WHICH ONE WOULD YOU SEND OFF FOR A PROFESSIONAL RESTORE????

Also, pictures aren't great but first time using a light box I made, needs adjustments, thnx.

If I have created this post in the wrong forum please move accordingly.

from top to bottom:
-Dovo Fritz Bracht 25 (would keep original scales)
-Big Wostenholm with barber's notch
-Wade and Butcher with nice spine work but stubbed toe
-Big and fairly clean Joseph Rodgers and Sons
-Big Bingham / Fenney Tally Ho

My vote would be the Woste or the JR. Toss up.

btw-you should have attached a vote poll to the thread. Maybe, you still can. Would be fun, no?

Nice razors and happy shaving!

All are nice, watch the Dovo for Cell rot… looks like it may have already started.

I would store that one separately.

It looks to me that the toughest one should be the one to get sent out. Looking through the pictures it is a tough call but I think the the Wade ad Butcher looks like the candidate for sending out.

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Originally Posted by RezDog

It looks to me that the toughest one should be the one to get sent out.

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Bingo !!!!

Folks we have a winner :)

Assuming that they all have good steel, then send the worst of the bunch to a Pro, that will give you the best benchmark of what can be done if Time and Talent :)

[QUOTE=Euclid440;1325660]All are nice, watch the Dovo for Cell rot… looks like it may have already started.

Yeah I guess I actually do not know what to look for with cell rot. I think I read on SRP something about a funky smell from the scales but no smell on the Dovo but I do see the black swirling on some parts of the blade. I did notice on the bevel 2 tiny swiss cheese like spots so a little would be have to be taken of the razor's edge in order to start a good bevel. It would be a shame if I had to ditch the original scales on that Dovo.

I like the look of the "Big Wostenholm with barber's notch" and the "Wade and Butcher with nice spine work but stubbed toe". Any of em would make a nice shaver. Let us know how it goes!

Your screwed they are all nice but I would probably go the W&B as I have a done a similar "American Razor" with the same spine in 13/16" awesome blade
Then the Wosten then the Joseph

Send out the Tally Ho and then send it on to me...you didn't realize you missed my birthday ;-).

Add another vote for the W&B as it needs the most work.

Restoring the gold lettering on the Wostenholm's scales would offer the biggest challenge for me.
Thats a really nice W&B!
I would be tempted to do a minumum of metal work to the tip, clean it up, and enjoy the antique repair done to the scales.
I bet each and every one of those razors will be great shavers.

The Wostenholm would be the best shaver, IMHO, and be my first choice for special treatment. The Tally Ho second for same reason.

Yeah I guess I actually do not know what to look for with cell rot. I think I read on SRP something about a funky smell from the scales but no smell on the Dovo but I do see the black swirling on some parts of the blade. I did notice on the bevel 2 tiny swiss cheese like spots so a little would be have to be taken of the razor's edge in order to start a good bevel. It would be a shame if I had to ditch the original scales on that Dovo.[/QUOTE]


Yes unfortunately, those Dovo scales are very nice, but it is one of the styles most likely to decompose.

If you look at photos and the rust spots on the blade/ tang, they line up with darker brownish spots on the scales when the razor would be when closed. This type of decomposition is common with Crushed Ice scales like yours and imitation Tortoise. It does look like the blade edge has been compromised and a fair amount may have to be removed to get to good steel.

The other day I unscaled a nice Full hollow that the scales were “beginning” so I thought to decompose. The blade had a thin coat of red rust.

After removing the scales, I was cutting off the light rust on the blade. The blade was flat on a 4mm piece of craft foam. The blade cracked right in the middle and ran straight up about 3/8 of an inch with just minimum of pressure on the blade. The steel was so badly compromised I doubt it would have survived a trip to the buffers and honing.

Cell rot is insidious and it is not always possible to visually determine the degree of damage it causes.

lovely razors !!! you will be amazed at the results of a restored razor as far as what can be done !!! also if you wanted to puck up some practice razors and do lots or reading in the archives a lot of light restoration can also be done by yourself and leave you with a bunch of self satisfaction and knowledge as to the know how and time and effort the professional restores actually do and may become another hobby for you in itself !!

The Wade and Butcher, simply because IMO that blade will look incredible completely restored, and if I was gonna pay a pro the restore one, that would be it.

The scalloped W&B restored to help your choose
Attachment 163393

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Originally Posted by Substance

The scalloped W&B restored to help your choose

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Wow - that's a beauty! Thanks Substance, for putting another on my list....sheesh! Never seen one of those before...awesome!

Quit messing around and get them all done :<0)

I can't really say but I do fancy the Fritz Bracht - I think it has the potential to be the best shaver -but, as someone else pointed out, it's susceptible to celluloid rot and really should be looked at by someone who knows about conserving and restoring scales of his type. The blade looks fine, minimal work required there.

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Originally Posted by 10Pups

Quit messing around and get them all done :<0)

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Yes! They are all worth it...it's a win-win situation. You'll have three great vintage blades.

Appreciate all of the suggestions fellas. With that said I have narrowed it down to the Wade and Butcher with the scalloped spine and the Wostenholm. Never shaved / honed a wedge before and I would say the Wostenholm is a near if not full wedge.

Another vote for the wade &butcher as well as the tally ho

Well, a decision has been made. I just shipped out the Wostenholm to Glen for restore. I wish I could have sent him the Wade & Butcher also but that one will just have to wait. Thanks for all the feedback, when the Wosty gets back from Glen I will share the results........

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Originally Posted by dtrain17

Well, a decision has been made. I just shipped out the Wostenholm to Glen for restore. I wish I could have sent him the Wade & Butcher also but that one will just have to wait. Thanks for all the feedback, when the Wosty gets back from Glen I will share the results........

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Wosty's are great, you'll be pleased, you sent it to Glen, so it will be a spectacular restoration. Looking forward to seeing it....