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  1. #1
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    Default Restoring My Grandfather's Razor

    I would like to restore this razor, I have some pictures of what I'm working with, here's a link to them: Santoras World

    It's nothing fancy, it was produced by W H Sample & Son, Albany New York, the model name is "Our Chief." As you can see the blade is tarnished and needs to be polished, that's my starting point. What type of polish and how to do it.

    Also, if you notice there is some corrosion by the tang and pivot pin. And it is a little stiff opening and closing. I would suppose a little oil would help? I don't know if that's part of the corrosion, or how to get that off. My first thought is 2000 sand paper, but I don't know?

    It might help if I can take the pin off and clean it. But to be honest, I would not mind, not having to do that.

    And I guess, we'll get to the honing and sharpening later.

    So, any suggestion on polishing? And getting rid of that corrosion?

  2. #2
    Senior Member kenneyty's Avatar
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    Welcome Santora -
    Stiff opening and closing is good. Don't oil it. When you're done that thing will be very sharp and you don't want it flopping open.
    What you will use to clean it up depends on what final results you want. If you're looking for a perfect mirror finish, you've got a lot of work ahead of you. Best first bet is to use some MAAS polishing compound. See where that gets you. That'll get rid of the tarnish and any light blemishes and you'll have a better idea of what you're looking at.

    For rust, you'll need to sand it out which could mean going all the way down to 200 grit depending on the rust. Start higher, because you can always go lower.

    Check out the restoration forum here (the Workshop) for some complete restoration walk-throughs

  3. #3
    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
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    My first suggestion is leave it alone,,,,
    I would not suggest even attempting an heirloom restore without a ton of restoration under your belt... Heirlooms cannot be replaced...

    In fact I only know for sure of two of us restorers that even take them on any more, and that is myself and Max...

    I really, really, highly recommend that either you contact one of us, or you at least tackle a few other projects before you tackle your grandfathers razor....

    I would kill to have an heirloom razor myself, that my relative actually shaved with.... wow how cool is that, I envy those of you that have them...

  4. #4
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    Restore! That thing looks great as is! Just needs to be cleaned a little.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by kenneyty View Post
    Welcome Santora -
    Stiff opening and closing is good. Don't oil it. When you're done that thing will be very sharp and you don't want it flopping open.
    What you will use to clean it up depends on what final results you want. If you're looking for a perfect mirror finish, you've got a lot of work ahead of you. Best first bet is to use some MAAS polishing compound. See where that gets you. That'll get rid of the tarnish and any light blemishes and you'll have a better idea of what you're looking at.

    For rust, you'll need to sand it out which could mean going all the way down to 200 grit depending on the rust. Start higher, because you can always go lower.

    Check out the restoration forum here (the Workshop) for some complete restoration walk-throughs
    The only reason I asked about oiling, is because I fear that corrosion has gotten in-between the pivot pin. And maybe that would help clear it up a little without having to take it apart. And then once I clear it up, let the oil dry up and get it stiff again. Does that make sense?

    But as you say, I was right with my first thought about hitting it with some sand paper. Starting with fine grit. I got some 1800 grit which I could start out with.

  6. #6
    Large Member ben.mid's Avatar
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    We all love the family heirloom razors here! Everyone wishes they had one, but there not too common. It doesn't look like there's that much work to be done on your's. It's in good shape.
    I'd take Glen's advice if i were you, but if you do work on it, nothing drastic & don't remove the scales.
    If you get it honed, you can still have a great shave out of it till you're ready to restore it.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by gssixgun View Post
    My first suggestion is leave it alone,,,,
    I would not suggest even attempting an heirloom restore without a ton of restoration under your belt... Heirlooms cannot be replaced...

    In fact I only know for sure of two of us restorers that even take them on any more, and that is myself and Max...

    I really, really, highly recommend that either you contact one of us, or you at least tackle a few other projects before you tackle your grandfathers razor....

    I would kill to have an heirloom razor myself, that my relative actually shaved with.... wow how cool is that, I envy those of you that have them...
    +1 here. I'm just starting with the whole restoration thing, and I wouldn't even consider working on a family heirloom. I've seen quite a bit of Glen's and Max's work here on the forums, and for what they charge, you really get your money's worth and then some.

    And, as the man said, heirlooms cannot be replaced.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by gssixgun View Post
    My first suggestion is leave it alone,,,,
    I would not suggest even attempting an heirloom restore without a ton of restoration under your belt... Heirlooms cannot be replaced...

    In fact I only know for sure of two of us restorers that even take them on any more, and that is myself and Max...

    I really, really, highly recommend that either you contact one of us, or you at least tackle a few other projects before you tackle your grandfathers razor....

    I would kill to have an heirloom razor myself, that my relative actually shaved with.... wow how cool is that, I envy those of you that have them...
    Yeah, I know what you mean about heirlooms. I am getting a little emotional about this.

    Let me tell you little about this. A little about me. I am a licensed barber, for 20 years now. I have a cosmetology license, as well. I've been in the hair business since 1975. But when I was trained in barbering, I learned how to shave with a razor with disposable blades.

    And though I don't do professional shaves, I have been shaving myself for the last 20 years, with the razor I was trained in barber school, with disposable blades. But they never trained me one stropping and honing.

    A few weeks ago, I came across an online site with old school barber supplies. And it carried straight razors. And I was all ready to buy a REAL straight razor, when it hit me that I still had my grandfather's straight razor. I dug it up, and started looking around the net. That's when I came across this site, along with some videos on YouTube, on honing a straight razor, which lead me to this site.

    But. I'm babbling now. I guess all I need to do is clean it up. Just polish it, as it was when my grandfather use it. He died when I was only 2 years old, so I never really knew him. I've been carrying it around all this time. From New York to California.

    I understand what you're saying. And I really want to get it into a condition to where I can use it. I came across another one like it on ebay for 12 bucks. I don't know if it's still for sale. But it's not as in good condition as the one I have. There's a crack on the pivoting pin.

    I don't know, I was not thinking about it, but maybe I should buy that one, if it hasn't been bought yet, and play with that one?

    I don't know? If you think that's how I should go. Or maybe just clean this one up a little. I still have to get a honing stone and strop. I guess that norton honing stone, as I've seen on the YouTube video, is the way to go.
    Last edited by santora; 05-01-2009 at 09:01 AM.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leighton View Post
    Restore! That thing looks great as is! Just needs to be cleaned a little.
    Yeah, that's what I wanted to hear. Maybe that's all it needs, a good cleaning. As I just explained to gssixgun, about me and the razor.

    Cool.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by ben.mid View Post
    We all love the family heirloom razors here! Everyone wishes they had one, but there not too common. It doesn't look like there's that much work to be done on your's. It's in good shape.
    I'd take Glen's advice if i were you, but if you do work on it, nothing drastic & don't remove the scales.
    If you get it honed, you can still have a great shave out of it till you're ready to restore it.
    This is just what I've been wanting to hear about this razor. i just have to clean it up a little. Nothing drastic.

    Cool.

    But it does need a good cleaning. This thing hasn't been used in a good 50 years.

    But I do have to learn how to hone it myself.

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