Thread: An experiment in hands on learning...

Alright gents, here's is another newbie adventure!
So I've been SR shaving for about a month and a half now...it's been going alright in that two steps forward one step back newbie sort of way. This weekend though I decided to do something drastic about my learning curve. I've found through experience that the only way that I properly learn something new is by getting my hands dirty on all the nuts and bolts of it. I'm a jump in head first kind of guy so I decided to take my very limited knowledge across the interwebs to eBay and purchase a project to use as a learning experience. I figured I'd take a razor that wasn't seriously fundamentally flawed pay some small amount (yes I know this is relative) and try to give it some TLC. Not a full restore mind you, just some hand sanding cleaning and what not to really get some razor anatomy under my belt. So I bought this little Torrey to take my adventure with. So what do you guys think does this look like a good learning experience candidate or did I bite off more than I could chew. Here is what I was looking for:

1) Scales that weren't cracked
2) a blade with some tarnish maybe even a little pitting but not signs of cell rot and no serious smiling or frowning.
3) No chips or cracks in the blade.
4) No rust on the cutting edge (I tried...)

Here's what I came up with!
Let me know how you all think I did...
Perhaps you think the lesson learned is I should stay away from eBay...if so, let me know that too!

It looks in OK condition. You'll probably lose the tang stamp when sanding it to pristine condition. But I think it'll become quite nice. Just keep in mind it will take a while when handsanding.

Originally Posted by BrickBag

Just keep in mind it will take a while when handsanding.

Time I've got...Glad to hear I didn't get a total dud! Too bad about the tang stamp though...Any thoughts on how it might be saved? If not so be it, the lesson is what matters!

-Ben

You probably won't loose the tang stamp since it is much deeper into the metal than is the corrosion. This is a good razor to gain experience with since it will make a very nice shaver when you are finished. Torrey made a good razor.

Regards - Walt

Before you rub sandpaper on that vintage blade , try using Flitz metal polish . It's probably all you will need to clean it up . I would consider using sandpaper only on a blade that is badly rusted (your blade is not) .

So I got the razor in the mail today and it was a really more tarnish than anything else....I didn't have any Flitz or MAAS (still looking for a local vendor). So I went for some Brasso in a cloth then used a micro fiber cloth to buff it...then a little rub down with a Cape Cod wipe...another buffing with micro fiber and it is nice and shiny...the pivot is not super tight below about 40 degrees but it's quite alright. Here are some pics I took with my phone (no camera) unfortunately I couldn't get clean shots of the tang stamp but it is nice and shiny! I really enjoyed this one but didn't really get my hands all that dirty...oh well guess I'll have to buy another one! I think I feel a little RAD coming on.

-Ben

Originally Posted by porridgeorange

S... I think I feel a little RAD coming on.
-Ben

And so it begins.

I keep looking at this razor and I feel like it wants to "stare back"...say I wanted to go to a mirror finish...clearly the lower grits in a projection would be overkill. Could I get it done with some 1500 paper and some elbow grease?

-Ben

1500 grit paper only leads to 2000 grit paper and then that leads you to polishing which is what you have already accomplished. To get that mirror effect you need to keep going. If you have a buffer you can pop those pins and give it a whirl or use a buffing wheel and a dremel if you have one.

BTW Torreys are great razors, get it honed, you will love it!

Unfortunately I am severely equipment challenged and even worse on space...I suppose mirror shines will have to wait for now. Cerainly hones will come before dremels and buffers and all.

-Ben