Thread: POLL: razor restoration

I do not like new razors, old razors are more pleasant to me. But restoring the razor I try to keep its original form and make it cleanerly, as possible.

Well Im totally confused now, so I'll just say what is on my mind. I like stuff to look new and I usually keep it looking that way. So if I buy a Vintage razor reguardless of the condition, Im gonna send it out to have it blinged up.

I like to bring razors back to shaving condition with minimal changes. Mostly what I mean is that I remove as little metal as possible. I used to just use MAAS and qtips/toothpicks, but I bought my first abrasives for cleaning purposes just this week; grades 0 through 0000 synthetic steel wool. My goal for now is to remove as much staining and as little metal as possible and put on a shaving edge.

I have to say, I'm not really a fan of mirror finishes, though. While there is some amazing work done by members of the forums to make blades look like new (or even better than new), that's just not my thing... for now.

Difficult to vote on this one…I am both a collector and a user.
Those I find in already in good condition I will only clean the obvious crud (if any) that shouldn’t be there. However if in bad condition like excessive rust etc then I will go to town with the restore and take it beyond original… mirror polish and all.


But we all know there are "gray areas" when assessing a razor and it has to do with brand, condition, value and many other factors... and sometimes it is worth it, to leave a razor as-is even if it has a few spots.

I'm really torn on this one. I love the patina on an old vintage blade and would like to keep that look but there is something in me that makes me want to try and restore the razor to as close to it's original condition as possible. I would only rescale a razor as a last resort and would try to keep the scales faithful to the original.

I fix anything functionally related or recurring.
Rust... anywhere? It's gone.
Spine or edge uneven? I'll be fixing that.
Patina? Hell no, I like patina. I sometimes remove it if it's making reading the stamp difficult. But otherwise, no way.

So far I've only rescaled one razor, and I didn't do very well... so I can't say that I fix all loose or damaged scales, but I plan to once I have the time to improve my method.

The one exception to my method is really my Morris... because if I removed all the pitting there wouldn't be any razor left. :P

This one was difficult, as it depends of the condition of the razor, but:
Working with razors doesn't differ from working with old handtools, furnitures, mechanics etc etc which i'm also deeply involved: I'm trying to keep them as original as possible. I remove rust, fix if it's broken and that's it. I think old items look better when they carry their patina and age proudly. I'm mostly shaver, not a collector.

Have to say that i've seen many tremendous and beautiful restored razors with new scales and all here in SRP, but that is not my case. I do not have enough imagination or creativity for such artwork. I leave it to them who have the skills.

I'm just wondering. Did the old vintage blades like Wade & Butcher have a mirror shine on them when they were new?

Originally Posted by Miner123

I'm just wondering. Did the old vintage blades like Wade & Butcher have a mirror shine on them when they were new?

Most of the old near wedge blades with “frosted” etch were mirror polished.
Those that I have seen without etching were not mirror polished.
But later when hollow ground blades with black etching were popular the blades will have grind-marks.

But of course, there were always a few exceptions.