Thread: Something to be said for simple

I'm posting this here because it seems to be restoration related. If it doesn't fit well, I'm sure someone will move it to a better location.

It's easy to get caught up in the sweet looking razors that get posted here. I started thinking that every razor I had needed to be flawlessly polished to a mirror shine with totally unique scales on them. But then I picked up an ERN off of ebay for $10. This has sat in the restoration box for a while now, waiting for inspiration. Today I found that inspiration.

I sanded the plain black scales, restoring their lost luster. I also rubbed down the blade with a little flitz. I didn't attempt to sand out the one relatively large blemish on the blade. I wasn't worried about losing any etching, there is none. I just liked the look of the grind marks on the blade.

I honed it up this afternoon. First time I haven't used tape on the spine. I learned a little something,like I always do when I hone a razor. Nothing earth shattering, or even something I can put my finger on. But I did walk away from the process better for it.

After a couple hundred laps on the strop, the shave was great.

Is it pretty? Nope. Will it serve me well for as long as I ask it to? Yup.

A mirror finish on a blade or a super sweet set of scales brings a certain sense of accomplishment. But when I attempt to generate something flawless, I always end up seeing the bits that aren't quite right. Doing something simple has made me realise that some of the beauty is in the flaws.

Here are the pics. Blemishes and all.

I think it's perfectly nice! Well done bringing it back to life. I'd say it's Database-worthy!

It looks great, and I agree that simplicity has its day. Maybe it's the romantic in me, but having a simple tool do a simple job in an outstanding way has always appealed to me. Keep up the great work!

Dave

Its purdy. We all like P0rn and I think that we get caught up in it sometimes and forget about what a razor used to look like.

Simple and functional, but still elegant! I like it! Kudos.

Wise words, thanks for them! Its good for me to keep in mind as I start my first restoration...

Simply Elegant, very nice

Very nice work. I agree with you guys on the attractiveness of simplicity.
A clean, well cared for str8 razor is a classic form.

Got one just like it. Mine is a 999. One of my best shavers!