Thread: Send Me in the Right Direction

So I finally picked up 2 straights this weekend. Both are in pretty rough shape, but I'm ok with that. I want to EARN my first straight shave. I apologize for the low picture quality here, but it's all I have atm.

1. the 7/8s blade is supposedly from 1850 era. Anyway to verify this claim?

2. The "monkeytail" where can I get info on it. THis has a lot of blackness on it and a fine engraving reading "Butler's - Woodpecker" How can I clean the blade and not lose the engraving.

3. The larger blade looks to have a lot of red on it in the pictures. It doesn't to the naked eye. What grit of sandpaper would you suggest I start using to clean up that blade? Again, my goal is to save as much of the engraving as possible.

4. Where can I get scale pins/instructions for making scales/be told how to remove scales?

Also the dealer who sold to me recommended soaking in mineral oil to clean up. Is this something I want to do? Will that help loosen up the deformations? or should I aviod this?

Well it definitely looks like you have your work cut out. I’m still new to straight shaving and restoring razors, but I like your mind set on “earning your first straight”. I used Mother’s Mag & Aluminum Polish to restore my blade a bit. It took some time but worked well. another metal polish/cleaner that is recommended is MAAS, I have yet to find it locally though….

Welcome to SRP ! Hard to tell about the wedge from the pics but it looks like it could be turned into a fine shaver. The monkey tail looks a little too far gone in the hone wear department. If you go to the forum index check out The Workshop for many posts on restoration. Also the SRP Wiki in the tool bar above.