Is there a photo heavy post about how to access a new in vintage razor?

Hello guys,

Same as the title really, what to access first and in what order of importance? So not to bugger a razor up more than necessary

I know I can just post photos any time I get a new one but I don't like bother people if I can just get on with it, I've been reading for weeks now but still have holes obviously in my knowledge.

At the moment I check all the

-Rust
-scales ok leave on or off
-check edge chips and such
-sits flat both sides on the stones
-heel and stabilizer work
-check for frown
--match the edge to the spine in term of shape. (This is what I'm limited at in my knowledge, so if anyone's got a link to a thread describing this I would be grateful)

What else guys?

Many thanks

Not sure if I understand your question, but if you check our library, on razor restoration, I think you'll find your answer.

You said "access." Do you mean assess?

If so I'd say you have a pretty good start with what you have already listed. I'd add to that check for excessive hone wear, look for uneven bevel and other signs of blade geometry problems, look closely for cracks, see if rust is just on the surface or if it has caused pitting, check how the blade centers in the scales. I know I'm probably leaving some considerations out but maybe others will fill in the blanks.

I'm not sure if you mean once it's in hand or before purchase but I would weigh all that first unless you plan on making wind chimes.

[QUOTE=PaulFLUS;1970114]You said "access." Do you mean assess?

I sure did! Lol.

Thanks for your comments, looking more for a check list for my mind, to first assess before purchase and then when in hand.

I can kinda tell real clangers from the okish now. I'll post some pics of some of my real clangers I've brought, you will find it at least humorous and yes only any good for chimes,lol.

Cheers

Im not able to help with a pic at the moment but...
Spine and edge matching would be like this...
Put razors blade on its side on a piece of paper. Draw a line tracing the spine. Then move blade up and see how close the edge matches that line.

Rust can be bad but it can also be not a bad thing. But until you learn one from the other, if a blade has rust on the edge, stay away.

Hello Jerry,

Why is this important Jerry, what occurs when this two plains are not matching? Is it a matter of re-shaping the edge of the blade to the spine?

Rust! Yep had a bad experience with that the other week, brought won online, pretty cheap, got it and opened her up and the blade fell apart in my hand, lesson learned? Wouldn't even be able to use for the for mentioned wind chime.. barely even a spine left...

Thanks

The matching just shows it hasn't been honed to death by someone in the past. Most razors are made this way in the beginning. Most, not all.
It does not make a difference in the shave. Its more proper looks is all.

I got something to add to your list. Learning about cell rot, and what types of scales are prone to this. The razor will typically show the early signs, before the scales start to show.

So if you've got one gassing off, and its stored with your others.....bad things always happens to your most precious, I'll say this.

Cheers Mike, I've read about it but no where near as through as I need to.. I'll check the search bar out when I've next got time..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cutlersdream

Hello guys,

Same as the title really, what to access first and in what order of importance? So not to bugger a razor up more than necessary

I know I can just post photos any time I get a new one but I don't like bother people if I can just get on with it, I've been reading for weeks now but still have holes obviously in my knowledge.

At the moment I check all the

-Rust
-scales ok leave on or off
-check edge chips and such
-sits flat both sides on the stones
-heel and stabilizer work
-check for frown
--match the edge to the spine in term of shape. (This is what I'm limited at in my knowledge, so if anyone's got a link to a thread describing this I would be grateful)

What else guys?

Many thanks

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I either don't look at it much or I'm just so comfortable at this point in the game that I must subconsciouly do it without realizing:)
To be honest I have never seen a razor at an antique market that had ANY wear anyway let alone one that was honed to a wafer.
Really, if it looks decent, almost no rust, decent shape overall for a straight razor and really reasonable - buy it.
Edge condition means nothing. If I can't see a chip with my poor eyesight then its golden!!
Most times I find the geometry is great. I have two that were not. Really bad actually but those were bought online without noticable wear to indicate such things. Not that they were not honable but they looked like crap because of wonky wear.
I can put an edge on almost anything that will take one after 20 years. Its what I want to do to keep it and maintain it.
Given I have two razors and one is horrifically warped and one is perfect - which one would you hone more often.
They made crap back then too.
Wear be blended back in each time it starts to look off but its a hassle so I just leave it and hardly use them.
All other razors are straight and turn out to be fine shavers. Some better that others of course.
If there is any wear at all it will be uneven right from the start so easy to see.