To restore, or not to restore?

Good afternoon, gentlemen!

My mother-in-law found this really cool H. Boker & Co. razor with a bicycle race etching on the blade. After insisting several times she think about it first, she outright gave it to me.

From the information I found on this site, it dates back to 1880 and is in reasonably good shape for its age. After reading a post on Maggard's Razors about whether a razor meets criteria to get a restoration, I confirmed with Brad there that this is certainly worth it. He referred me to another professional who agreed and feels confident they can do the job. My biggest worries on this razor are a couple of minor rust spots and a broken scale, but I'm confident in this restorer's ability, looking at their portfolio.

I'd like to step up and have this done, but should I?

I'm taking into consideration the collectable and antique value of this razor. Is it better to leave the razor as it is, or should I get it in top shape again?

Here are a few photos. Thanks for any feedback you can offer.

Attachment 178092Attachment 178093Attachment 178094Attachment 178095Attachment 178096Attachment 178097

Full disclosure: I've posted something similar on another forum. I'm just trying to get a good feel on opinions before I make a decision of my own.

Restore that puppy! Looks like it will turn out very nicely. :)

I'm no professional restorer, not even close, but here's what I would do with that razor:

Clean it with a few rounds of Autosol, Flitz or similar.
Give it a half hour of attention with a rag and your metal-polish of choice.
Replace the scales with similar ones in horn.
That's it.
Most anything else would just take away from it in regards to being an old item that has seen some usage over the years.
I like my old razors to look their age, too much buffing and the soul of the blade is lost forever.

Just my opinion, I'm sure others will see it very differently.

Birnando is 100% correct,restore gentley, preserve gentley.JMO,less is more sometimes.

I would remove the broken scales. Clean the razor with CLR and a soft brass brush.? Then Bartenders Friend (scouring powder like Bon Ami) and a scotchbrite sponge/pot scrubber. That will get it pretty clean to the point you may just need some metal polish and soft rag. Some new scales horn or bone and a good hone. Good luck. Don't forget pictures after the restore.

The etching on that blade is marvelous!

I sure hope that you thanked your mom-in-law.

Welcome to SRP, i agree with all that been said so far clean up, new scales and a good honing job and use it!, as far as collectible or antique value, these razors are quite common so no worries there to ruin the one and only.

First question...

Are you planning on using the razor to shave with ???

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

First question...

Are you planning on using the razor to shave with ???

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That's kind of part of this whole information-finding mission, too. With that etching, I don't know if regular stropping, etc., will degrade the image on the blade.

I've been in contact with the person I want to restore this and I'm pretty sure I want to go through with a proper restoration. I'm just not sure if this is going to be a showpiece or used as a tool. But I know for sure I want to seriously consider getting into straight razors. Up until I got this blade, I've strictly collected and used safety razors.

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Originally Posted by Dzanda

The etching on that blade is marvelous!

I sure hope that you thanked your mom-in-law.

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Oh yeah, profusely. They were ready to hand it to me immediately, but I told her and her husband to think about it, given its age and potential value. Couldn't ask for better in-laws!

I suspect it's maybe a bit newer than 1880 by the depiction of the bicycles. The first safety bicycle of this configuration (equal sized wheels, rear wheel chain drive) was designed in 1885. For them to be raced and then depicted on this razor suggests some date post-1885, possibly 1886-1890.

It's still a cool razor, good luck with the restore.

Mike

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Originally Posted by CubReporter

Good afternoon, gentlemen!

My mother-in-law found this really cool H. Boker & Co. razor with a bicycle race etching on the blade. After insisting several times she think about it first, she outright gave it to me.

From the information I found on this site, it dates back to 1880 and is in reasonably good shape for its age. After reading a post on Maggard's Razors about whether a razor meets criteria to get a restoration, I confirmed with Brad there that this is certainly worth it. He referred me to another professional who agreed and feels confident they can do the job. My biggest worries on this razor are a couple of minor rust spots and a broken scale, but I'm confident in this restorer's ability, looking at their portfolio.

I'd like to step up and have this done, but should I?

I'm taking into consideration the collectable and antique value of this razor. Is it better to leave the razor as it is, or should I get it in top shape again?

Here are a few photos. Thanks for any feedback you can offer.

Attachment 178092Attachment 178093Attachment 178094Attachment 178095Attachment 178096Attachment 178097

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Boker Tree dates


http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...tml#post204784

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Originally Posted by mdwright

I suspect it's maybe a bit newer than 1880 by the depiction of the bicycles. The first safety bicycle of this configuration (equal sized wheels, rear wheel chain drive) was designed in 1885. For them to be raced and then depicted on this razor suggests some date post-1885, possibly 1886-1890.

It's still a cool razor, good luck with the restore.

Mike

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According to an index on this website, it dates it at 1884:
Böker, H & Co "Bicycle Race" 7/8 - Straight Razor Place Library

According to the "Tree" it was made between 1924 and 1935 and that is Boker's info


My personal interpretation of the Tree from your pics, I reserve the right to change my mind if the razor were in hand under well lit magnification

I would restore and use it. The strop won't do any damage to the etching IMHO.

I am not a big fan of having a muscle car and leaving it in the garage.

I still think the tree looks closer to the earlier version, especially if you look at the little branch at the bottom of the right hand side. There's no "Tree Brand" written on it. I tried to get in contact with H. Boker and Co. to get more dating information, but they told me their records were either destroyed during bombing or fires in World War II. It seems some of the logo information I've found seems either contradictory or incomplete.

Here's another example dating the razor earlier than the 1900s. This is a PDF of lots in bicycle auction. The same razor is listed in Lot 21: http://www.copakeauction.com/bicycle...2006/color.pdf

Just my take 1924 and 1935.

Its pretty old no matter how you slice it. I am no expert, nor do I clame to be but I don't think the date will radically change anthing as far as what you have. Its a really cool razor and I would have it restored and shave with it.


My only advice is make sure you are sending it to a respectable vendor from a good forum.

Oh, I don't mean to be combative, just trying to make sense of things is all.

After talking to the restorer I plan to use, I think I will move forward with a restoration. It's going to take a little time, though. Money's tight at the moment, but I do want to get this back on its best looks without completely killing the patina.

No worries brother. Make sure you share pictures with us when you get it complete. Nothing like seeing a great razor brought back to life.

I'm in the camp of clean it up rescale it and sharpen. Just make sure you kill the rust on the tang and anywhere else so to preserve the steel. You might want to tape up the scales hone it and see how she shaves first before putting a lot of work into it. Sure looks like a great razor.

I would replace the scales with some horn, possibly honey horn, polish the blade some w/o taking away from the etching & put it back together. It would be a very nice looking razor restored. I have one similar that needs restoring & I'm going to do it as soon as I get the time.

I agree with Birnando as well...beautiful razor.

Building on the car analogy I wouldn't want an antique car with patina and rust I would want it restored to the original condition or as close as possible. Just my preference. Some would rather have a custom job but not me. I want a '67 chev to look like a '67 chev but not a '67 chev that's been sitting in the rain for 47 years. Again just my preference.

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Originally Posted by Steel

Building on the car analogy I wouldn't want an antique car with patina and rust I would want it restored to the original condition or as close as possible. Just my preference. Some would rather have a custom job but not me. I want a '67 chev to look like a '67 chev but not a '67 chev that's been sitting in the rain for 47 years. Again just my preference.

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A '67 Chevy that's been driven all these years. Take a trip to Arizona, nothing rusts there! There's no moisture.You see all kinds of cars you don't see anywhere's else & in excellent condition with no rust.

Definitely restore it and shave with it. My old Boker that I restored is now my favorite shaver. Great steel.

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