Is This Razor Beyond Repair?

So I just bought this razor because I needed a nice pair of scales. The razor is really just in my way at this point.

However, looking closer, it's actually kind of a neat blade. Other than being totally trashed. It looks like, I dunno, it was maybe turned into a corn knife?

Is it possible to do anything useful with this? Like, if I cut off the top inch or so, could it be made into a functional razor?

I'm wondering if I could make it into, I dunno, a travel razor, or if it's only useful for me to practice sharpening on at this point.

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks! Attachment 341141

Yep, you could make a shorty from it.

Definitely could shorten the blade and clean it up. If you do you will need shorter scales to fit the blade length better.

If you really want you could make a shorty. But I think in time you will run across something much better for a shorty. I'd just put that razor in the trash after making it safe. JMO.

Nice scales.

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Originally Posted by skald

...However, looking closer, it's actually kind of a neat blade...

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I think you mean it was kind of a neat blade. The not so shart answer is, yes, you could make a shorty out of it but with the abundance of available razors today it is better used as a wind chime.

You can tell that straight razors were before planned obsolescence. They kept making and kept making them and yet they will last for hundreds of years given proper treatment. Consequentely there is a stock pile of available ones to choose from. In a post apocalyptic world maybe save it but in today's world I personally would let it go unless you just wanted an exercise in making one.

I liken it to the way I feel about tripe, eyeballs, chitterlings and the like; if things got tough I'd eat that stuff but as long as there are readily available supermarkets with more choice parts, save that for dog food.

Geez, fine, shut up with all of your 100% accurate advice that directly answers the question I specifically asked!

You are all right, darn it - this is definitely a formerly-nice piece of junk that fits firmly in the eyeball and offal category.

I just hate throwing stuff out, you know? I'm the guy whose wife has to steal his tattered tee-shirts in the night because there's still a LITTLE bit of wear left in them!!! Some person made this, and probably more than one person used it, and it's always sad for me to throw out a piece of history like that.

But I think after I pillage the scales I will try shortening this one up, just, as Gasman says, to see if I can. It will be nice to throw something like this on the sharpening stone with no fear about the dangers of "damaging" it. Then I'll have something to practice honing on that I won't feel bad about.

Thanks for affirming what I suspected.

I must say thank you for listening ng to us. And I respect a guy who wont give up his ratty t-shirt. Good luck and keep on keeping on.

Well, one unfortunate side effect of asking smart people questions is that you then have the annoying information you went out looking for, and the more annoying responsibility to pay attention to it.

Damn it.

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Originally Posted by Gasman

I must say thank you for listening ng to us. And I respect a guy who wont give up his ratty t-shirt. Good luck and keep on keeping on.

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You could make a wood carving or patch knife out of it. Not my first choice of course but more honorable than a wind chime.

Skaid...I gotta ask. Is that a Waterville, razor. From like Connecticut..?

Reason why..?

I've got the same style razor, in the same scales. Not to make ya sick or green.

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I still say save the scales, make a shorty, and a set of scales to fit it. It's a lot of fun, and they hone real easy, and shave a treat.

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There's even a thread in the workshop, called the "butchered blade." You'll see all kinds of creations done with straights in there.

We had a real blast, for some time, there. Need to revisit there someday, get the juice's flowin for fixin some clunkers.