Thread: Is this blade worth saving?

Hi guys, I'm new here. New in-fact to straight razors. I've always had an intrigue for them. But never the budget or family history to be lucky enough to get one.

However, this last Christmas my dad bought me a quality german safety razor that I've been loving. That's only increased my urge to want a straight razor too.

Well today I was out at the coast with my wife and friends, we stopped at an antique shop and I randomly asked if they had any straight razors. Turns out they had a few. One for $70, one for $15, and just a blade for $1!

So I checked the blade out and my in-experienced eye told me it might be salvageable. So I picked it up (along with some in the package original gillette safety razor blades, and Gillette adjustable height safety razor) all for 5 dollars!

Now come the tough part, I'll admit I know hardly anything about this blade, but nearest I can tell it's at least 60 years old. I know it's not a collectable, but was hoping someone here could take a look and see if it was worth restoring for my daily blade?

It's labeled as: Non - XLL, Joseph Allen & Sons, Sheffield England. Medium Size Hollow Ground.

The edge has a few minor chips and there is pitting (that I can see). Please let me know if it's worth saving.

The blade is savable, and its made sometime in the 19th century, a lot older than what you thought.
You can hand sand it or send it out for restoration.
If you want to give it a go here a nice compendium of tutorials on how to:
Category:Repair & Restoration - Straight Razor Place Wiki

If you decide to have it restored for you, check out the classifieds for people that provide service.

Welcome to SRP and the world of straight razors, it's hard to tell, your pics don't show up very well but I have the same one and it is one of my favorite blades, it looks like it should clean up nicely, you can check the venders corner for restoration services if you are unable to DIY

Certainly it's worth saving. Any blade in reasonable condition is worth saving IMO. As a matter of fact the first blade I "saved" was an identical Joseph Allen that I found with broken scales in a box of stuff that I still can't remember where it came from. As you can see my first set of scales weren't so special, but they were servicable and I still shave with this razor six years later. There is a wealth of information to get you going in the right direction if you decide to restore your find. If you intend to make some scales, PM me and maybe I can help you get started with your project.

Regards - Walt

I agrree the steel looks good enough to try it..

As Stefan linked you the Wiki keep in mind those are the condensed versions of the actual threads, I call it the "Readers Digest" so make sure you link to the actual threads from the Wiki or start here. "The Workshop"
as we keep the best of the best in an easy to find spot...

The classifieds has an entire section on Restore services too.. But I suggest doing it yourself at least once...

Looks like one worth bringing back to life.

Lynn

Joshua,

++1 on the previous posts. That blade is definitely worth saving. In fact, I have a restored and rescaled Joseph Allen that looks a lot like it. I purchased it from a vendor on the SRP "Classifieds" forum.

As the others have said, save it, a good cleaning, some new scales and a honing can easily bring that blade back from the dead!

Wow guys, thanks for the response and the wealth of information.

I'm going to attempt a cleaning of the blade, and making my own scales. However, I don't have the money or supplies to hone it myself (much less the skill). So I might end up getting a professional sharpening (or finding someone with a good set of stones).

I'll let you know how it goes. And if you know anyone in the Salem, Oregon area who wouldn't mind showing me their stone collection... !

-Josh

There is hopefully going to be a meetup on April 24-25th in Portland that is still trying to get off the ground... If it happens I am going for sure, you should have the razor done by then, and if you bring it, we can hone it together, right there at the meet... bring beer !!!!!