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  1. #1
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    Default Newbie needs help.

    Hi, This is probably my first post ever on SRP. I've only been shaving for about a year. I recently went by an old barbershop and asked the barber if he was willing to sell any old straight razors. I was to get my hands on a old DOVO blade for 20$. The blade edge looks fine no nicks or anything. My question is how to make it ready for a shave.

    I see alot of post regarding full restorations on old blades but for a newb like me I just want to know some basic steps to "clean" it up for it to shave. I only got the blade 30min ago so i dont have pics. Will post if needed. Sorry if this is a no-brainer question :P

  2. #2
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
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    Since this isn't really a restoration question I'll take a stab at it. I usually do a thorough job of polishing the blade first with MAAS or some similar polish. I use an old Tee shirt for drying and polishing with the MAAS. Then I hone the blade up and use it.

    An old razor sort of runs the gamut of needing simple honing or full restoration honing work.

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  4. #3
    illegitimum non carborundum Utopian's Avatar
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    Agreed. Maas, or a similar metal polish, will get off the surface patina and give you a much better look at what's under there. Generally, if you don't care about aesthetics, you don't need to do anything about any surface issues on the faces of the blade. If there is corrosion there, you can just leave it and prevent it from spreading. Functionally, all that matters is the edge. It will have to be honed to a point where good, non-corroded, metal is reached. From that point the bevel is set and the razor is honed to shave-readiness. That's it!

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  6. #4
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    Thank you both for fast replies =)

    Is there an easy way to remove the pins? I'm not sure what the barber did but i guess he used grease or something to oil it. As it is black near the tang and smells like the black grease you would see working on mechanical things. I want to clean it off. Thanks again.

  7. #5
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
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    Typically I would not suggest trying to remove the pins. I would use a kleenex to get into the crevaces. You can also clean the pin areas with water and a toothbrush, or some other handy tool. You need not keep the razor dry, but you should use hot water to wash it, then dry it very, very thoroughly.

    You could, for example, use a toothpick covered with a kleenex. I have also run single sheets of toilet paper through the entire scale section to clean the internals. Really, your imagination is all that would hold you back. Just don't get fancy with any chemicals, like say, vinegar or bleach, or whatever you clean other stuff with.

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  9. #6
    illegitimum non carborundum Utopian's Avatar
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    Dental floss is also very helpful for cleaning the pivot area.

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  11. #7
    Always Learning currentman's Avatar
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    +1 to Utopian !

    I bought a bag of the dental floss picks, you can get 100 of them for $2.50 at walgreens, and the handle makes it very easy manipulate all the angles and to clean out all the gunk

  12. #8
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    Also check the Wiki threads

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