Thread: This is my first go at cleaning a razor

I'm a new member here and senior member Gasman gave me some tips to clean a straight razor. Thank you Gasman and this is my first attempt ever to clean a razor and I am quite pleased with the results. I went to my basement and opened an old tin can and grabbed about ten razors and choose this one. The tang is stamped Richardson Adie & Co Edinburgh and the blade is etched " The Wallace Sheffield " "Hollow Ground " " Special Steel ". That old can contained what I thought was garbage, and some are, but some are salvageable??? I cleaned this with WD 40 and some Sun Glo brass wool. There was a glob spot of rust at the shoulder to the right side of the etching that cleaned up but there is now some pitting and it shows but this is how it will stay for now. I really like the blades with etchings and I'll watch for those in my travels. This is a great site and I wish I had joined years ago. Thank you to everyone for all the kind words. Mike D.

Looks like you got the ugly off. Sometimes you have to live with pitting as the steal is thin and cant take a lot of metal away. Looks as if it has a small chip and a frown. Some time on a hone should square that away but then you might have to work on the stabilizer as it will be too close to the level of the blade and might hook on ya.

There is a lot of little things to concider when doing restorations. Now you have a taiste at what it takes. Be careful of stamped and etched blades as you can damage the stamps/letters. Deep sharp lettering always looks better than thin rounded letters from sanding.

Just go slow and take your time. Make yourself a jig to hold the blade while sanding. There are a few examples around here somewhere of different types. Someone should post up a pic of one. Being on the raod i dont have any with me.

Jerry. Cleaning a razor up is definitely a challenge and takes a lot of time, effort and patience. When I picked this up I counld't read the name and I could barely see the blade was etched. Only after I started the cleaning did I realize how much clearer all the information was. I have the big dremel tool set in my garage with 50 or 60 different grinders and when I get time I may touch up that spot with a soft head. Over time I may get a honing stone as well. I'm going to practice on these from the tin can but when I find some big old W&Bs with the 8/8 blades then things will get a bit more serious. I go to at least one auction a week and I've bought and sold dozens of W&Bs on ebay over the years but I don't think I'll be selling anymore of them big boys. I'll be adding them to my collection. My lord some of you guys have such beautiful collections. I admire the work you put into collecting these and your knowledge of them is unbelievable. When they are restored to their former glory they are so beautiful. Thanks again for your help and encouragement I appreciate it a lot. Stay safe on the road and I hope you have a merry Christmas with your family. Mike D.

Here is one razor safety jig:
making-blade-safety-jig
There are a lot more since then.

~Richard

Thanks for posting it Richard.
Mike, just so you know, we have many many more folks that know more than i do when it comes to this stuff. I started 1 year ago but my collection is now pushing 70 razors. Be sure to get comments from a few guys as s9me folks will recommend other ways of doing things. Just wanted to come clean on this point.

Enjoy your efforts and be careful as they say a dull razor is as sharp as a sharp knife.

Originally Posted by vintageconundrum

I have the big dremel tool set in my garage with 50 or 60 different grinders and when I get time I may touch up that spot with a soft head.

I'd very careful about using a Dremel tool on a straight razor blade. If it catches the blade the wrong way the blade can become a projectile and it can build up too much heat in the blade ruining the temper.

The razor looks pretty good now so you could just hone it and use it as is. Have fun with it.

Bob

Looking good so far! Jerry set you on the right path. How about the scales? They look like they may have faded some. A little plastic polish could spiff 'em up. I use Mother's Plastic Polish (the stuff for headlights and such) and there's many other good products available too.

Bob has wise words about the dremel. It can be useful but it can also be instantly disastrous. Eye protection each and every time.

Richard. Thank you for that diagram. I understand how that works and it does make razor work much safer. I'll be buying one or making one. Best regards. Mike D.

Bob. I don't have a stone yet to work with but in time as I get into this I will have what I need. I can't wait to get more W&B razors. I'll be putting those big boys away but I will share photos with the group. Thanks again. Mike D.

Jerry. As long as you keep writing I'll keep reading and learning. All the advice I read I am grateful for. I'll heed all the messages from all the members. Thanks again. Mike D. My son just phoned and he's about 3 hours from home. Broing on Christmas. I can't wait. Jerry Thanks again. Mike D.