Thread: A Robeson in the Wild

I'm happy to say that my wife actually pays attention to me when I'm blathering on about my razors...and is feeding the RAD. A couple of nights ago she was looking at the local estate sale pages and came across two that had at least one razor in the pictures. I had time on my hands this morning and decided to hunt out the one that was closest to me.

I had to endure the torture of seeing a Wosty with large chip out of the blade and, even worse, a Wade & Butcher which had been the subject of experimentation for spine alteration by a grinder who I can only assume suffered from anger issues. Yet, among a number of very sad looking Sheffield razors I found an American blade that I think may be worthy of salvage!



I know that it isn't anything rare or particularly desirable but its seems to be a great candidate for my first attempt at a restoration, particularly since I have all of $11 invested. Thankfully the mentor I found to introduce me to the wonderful world of honing invited me back for lessons in restoration. Now to find time to go soak up all of the knowledge I can!

It looks like a little bit of mothers and maybe some 0000 steel wool and it will clean up quite nicely.

Good appraisal, Rez. I sat down to play with the new razor this evening and after cleaning the scales I went at the blade with #0000 steel wool and Ballistol. That cleaned up the active rust and then, lacking a better option at hand, I started polishing with a little Wright Silver Cream (hey, I had it in the house). I'm actually pretty impressed how much better the razor is looking with this rather minimal work. The only thing that bothers me is that the bevel seems rather large but this is a learning exercise so we shall see.

On the topic of polish, I know that some guys here swear by MAAS and others Mothers. For my part none of the local retailers seem to carry the Mothers Metal Polish, opting instead for the Chrome polish. My options then seem to be to either order the MAAS or Mothers or simply run to one of the local retailers for the Chrome. Any suggestions, gentlemen?

I don't think there is a big difference from one metal polish to the next. I use mothers because I can get it at the hardware store in the automotive section. You live in a much bigger region and I suspect you just need to find where they well it. 3M has a very good one too. I think it is called metal restorer. I think the more important fact is the elbow grease, you need lots of elbow grease and a little polish.

Elbow grease tends to be the primary ingredient in any finishing work, in my experience. This type of work is relaxing for me as I can turn on the idiot box and half watch it while I sit and polish. The Wright's was around because I've been slowly polishing a vintage KPM (Konigliche Porzellan Manufaktur) shave mug. Sooner or later I'll get that beauty clean enough for my OCD to allow me to post it in a SotD picture.

While you were replying I was doing a bit more searching and one of the local auto parts chains does, in fact, carry the Metal Polish. The two locations closest to me can't verify online that they have it but the next one out says they have it on hand and I'm going to be in that neighborhood tomorrow anyway. Good news, I should have the polish tomorrow morning sometime. Bad news, I probably won't get the opportunity to add much of that required elbow grease until late in the week.

Of course that does bring up the point that I could probably have it shipped to the local Walmart for less than half the price and have it waiting for me when I can actually use it...

Originally Posted by GreenRipper

Elbow grease tends to be the primary ingredient in any finishing work, in my experience. This type of work is relaxing for me as I can turn on the idiot box and half watch it while I sit and polish. The Wright's was around because I've been slowly polishing a vintage KPM (Konigliche Porzellan Manufaktur) shave mug. Sooner or later I'll get that beauty clean enough for my OCD to allow me to post it in a SotD picture.

While you were replying I was doing a bit more searching and one of the local auto parts chains does, in fact, carry the Metal Polish. The two locations closest to me can't verify online that they have it but the next one out says they have it on hand and I'm going to be in that neighborhood tomorrow anyway. Good news, I should have the polish tomorrow morning sometime. Bad news, I probably won't get the opportunity to add much of that required elbow grease until late in the week.

Of course that does bring up the point that I could probably have it shipped to the local Walmart for less than half the price and have it waiting for me when I can actually use it...

Wally mart, gun shops, ace hardwares carry Maas ,flitz, mothers.
The 3M marine metal restorer/ polish, is the best I've used yet, with Maas 2nd, and flitz 3rd.
3M can be ordered thru wally mart, or auto finish stores, and marine dealers.
It would make that blade look like new.!!

There's an auto finish store here in town, about three miles from home. I may have to wander in there tomorrow, if I get a chance.

No luck on the locals as, being a business catering to the pros, they aren't open on Saturday.

Mike, I'm taking your advice on the 3M Marine Metal Restorer and I've ordered a tub from Amazon. I know that you work in boat repair and having some familiarity with those vessels I tend to pay attention when someone reputable hangs the "marine" designation on a product, your thumbs up pushed me to the final decision.

Since I'm going to be tied up until Wednesday anyway, waiting for Amazon to get it to me on Monday won't be much of an issue. Now I'll just have to deal with my normal level of impatience!

I thought I'd share pics of how my beginner's project turned out. The 3M Marine Restorer worked as well as you advertised, outback!



I'm still learning to hone and this razor was my first real solo attempt to go from bevel set to finish. I'll consider this partially successful as it definitely took two and a half days worth of growth off my face but it certainly wasn't the most comfortable shave I've had. Essentially I can shave with it but if I tried to advertise it as "shave ready" I'd consider myself a liar. Hopefully I can find some time tomorrow to refine that edge a bit more.

Getting this little American blade back to the point that it will shave was a lot of fun and I see more restoration projects in my future!

The razor looks great. It is a lot of fun cleaning up cold blades and getting them shaving again.
Restoration bevel setting is a little different than regular bevel setting. With restorations there is no bevel at all and it needs to be created from scratch, where as with regular honing there is usually part of it or simply some minor repairs or adjustments that need to be made. You should expect it to take quite a bit of time to get the bevel set and then you can go down this trail. http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...r-1k-hone.html