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Thread: W&B Celebrated

  1. #1
    Gold Dot TULIP's Avatar
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    Default W&B Celebrated

    I received two boxes in the mail today, both eBay purchases. One is a nice Torrey, and the other contained a Henkels and a big Celebrated W&B. I knew the Henkels had a nice chunk out of the toe, but the W&B looked good, and it does indeed look good until you notice the nice 1/4" hairline crack near the heel. The crack wasn't mentioned in the auction, and while I can see it now that I'm looking for it in the photo, my inexperienced eye didn't see it when I bid on it. Another lesson in caveat emptor.

    I think I already know the answer to this question, but is there any earthly way to fix it, or is it just a pretty piece of junk?
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  2. #2
    JMS
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    Usagi Yojimbo JMS's Avatar
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    If the seller didn't mention it I would get my money back! On the other hand you could have one of the blade smiths here at SRP artfully grind the heel and clean her up to a usable state!

  3. #3
    Razorsmith JoshEarl's Avatar
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    If you can't get your money back, I think I could grind past the crack and then regrind the blade. You'd lose the etching but save the razor. You might end up with a decent 6/8.

    I might require you to sign some kind of waiver before I start, though, as that crack could continue upward.

    The other thing I do with cracked blades is fun, too--I break 'em with my hammer. You can learn a lot about the steel from observing the grain in a fresh break.

    Josh

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    Senior Member Traveller's Avatar
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    If you are going to keep it for yourselfand not try to sell it,I would just do a normal rework,and not pay any attention to the crack.It should hone up ok,and will shave fine.As mentioned you will have to grind the engraving out to get to clean enough material to polish to mirror finish if you want.I think you can make a nice razor out of it.I gave a razor with an almost identical crack to a member here,after reworking it,he says it is a great shaver,and doesnt even notice the crack..........I dont think it would be right to resell it.Best regards gary

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    Gold Dot TULIP's Avatar
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    Thanks, gentlemen. After sleeping on it, I think I'll take off the rust, try to hone it and make it into a shaver for myself. I did originally intend to perhaps clean it up, re-scale it and sell it, but I wouldn't do so with the crack in it.

    Unfortunately, the auction was as-is, so no returns. I like the etching, so I doubt I'd go to all the work to get it to an EELL polish...I'm doing hand work anyway. I paid $22 for both of the razors, and I can use them both to learn on. My first attempt will likely look like chicken scratch anyway.

    Thanks again...I very much appreciate the feedback.

    Kind regards,
    Trent

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    Member Limey's Avatar
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    Trent - that's some bad luck. Another for the already thick "Horrors of Ebay" file.

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    ulyss factor... nedradonic@mac.com's Avatar
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    Default NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!

    hello,
    I say no!!!
    you found a beautyfull razor, so you have to accept his age,
    you can clean it by electrolisis, and don' t change the color of it, just take off the rust,
    after that, sharp it, hone it(a new word for me) and use leather to finish it, then you'll get a wonderfull razor,
    if you wanted a new razor you had to buy a new one, not one like this,
    but this still got an history...
    don't polish it, for me it' s stupid...
    bye

  8. #8
    Gold Dot TULIP's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by nedradonic@mac.com View Post
    hello,
    I say no!!!
    you found a beautyfull razor, so you have to accept his age,
    you can clean it by electrolisis, and don' t change the color of it, just take off the rust,
    after that, sharp it, hone it(a new word for me) and use leather to finish it, then you'll get a wonderfull razor,
    if you wanted a new razor you had to buy a new one, not one like this,
    but this still got an history...
    don't polish it, for me it' s stupid...
    bye
    Whoa, Ned, calm down.

    No polish is down the road for the razor, and even without the crack I wouldn't polish it now because I want to keep the etching on the blade. That trumps a spit shine in this case. I'm merely the razor's current steward, and the razor had a life long before I came along. I've cleaned off most of the rust already, and it won't see anything else other than a general cleaning and honing and stropping.

    Hey, I'm eighth generation French-American (Huguenot)...I can appreciate culture and history.
    Last edited by TULIP; 02-29-2008 at 09:46 PM.

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    Senior Member crichton's Avatar
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    Good thinking Trent - I'd certainly keep her if it were me. I'd clean her up nice and - if she won't give a decent shave - put her on display. I have quite a few like this already and at $22 for two, I'd say you got a great deal. Have fun cleaning her up and be sure to post some "after" pics so we can all drool and be jealous!!

  10. #10
    Senior Member Traveller's Avatar
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    It is possible that the crack has been there since the razor was new,from heat treat Regards gary

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