Thread: Galveston Texas wedge razor

Here is my first attempt at restoration; I picked it up in a local antique store for $3, it was the best out of about five in the bottom of a bin. So if I fail, I’m not out much. Here is what I know about the razor:
Scales are toast
5½“ length, nose to tail
3” blade length
6/8
Wedge
Barbers notch
“ ….. & Son” “Galveston Texas”
The blade is noticeably honed but still has an edge.
The metal seems soft, after the picture I thought I could scratch the first word with a pencil to try and bring out the letters, the rust rubbed off and it seems I scratched out the name too.

Here are my questions:
Any ideas on removing the patina/rust without damaging the etching of the name?
Has anyone seen a razor like this before? Any ideas on the missing link with Galveston?
I saw a thread previously about using vibrator canisters with walnut shell, is it worth it with a situation like this or better to go with the traditional sandpaper route?
Thanks
Eric

I'd be worried about the rust spot right by the edge to be honest. I'd try just polishing it with some metal polish like MAAS or Mothers to get the main grit and rust off then try honing it to see if that rust is too far into the edge to bother going any further.

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

I'd be worried about the rust spot right by the edge to be honest. I'd try just polishing it with some metal polish like MAAS or Mothers to get the main grit and rust off then try honing it to see if that rust is too far into the edge to bother going any further.

Good point, if it cleans up without pitting or putting a chip it will be fun; if I do goof it up, all I'm out is a couple bucks.

Thank you

Okay, day two of the restoration. I filed down the pin on the reverse side as per the helpful hints in the restoration section and then punched out the pin with no problems. I took 150-grit sandpaper to the rust marks surrounding the pivot point as well as the small spots over the rest of the razor. Surprising it came off pretty fast and then I took Maas polishing compound to the whole razor and I’m pretty happy so far. The problems I’ve found so far are the rust spot on the blade edge came up but it will need to be honed to remove a small nick there in the blade. Also, there is pitting on the tang and much of the rest of the razor except the blade itself as you can somewhat see in the pictures. Also the name is not any more visible now and there is no other makers mark that I can see on the blade. Also, although I don’t have any other loose blades to accurately compare, it feels heavier than my other razors; the blade is a little more than 1 oz.

Enjoy and I will happily take any hints or advice. My next step will be to continue cleaning and removing the staining if I can. Then I’ll think about finding new scales and pinning them… unless I give up and send it off to do a better job than I can with my limited tools.

Question:
Has anyone used a doubled up pipe cleaner to clean out the pivot hole?

My wife believes that it is “… Wood & Son” on the tang and I think she may be right. A little research shows a hardware merchant named “E. S. Wood & Son” which dates from 1840 until at least 1890s and was supposedly one of the largest hardware stores in the region. Does this age fit with the shape and style? Does it make sense that a hardware store would sell razors? If they bought them and had them stamped with their company info, would the actual manufacture put their mark on there too? Or could they have been forging their own?

Am I crazy or is this possible?

Shapleigh hardware in St Louis had razors. They are all over the place now.

No reason to think Wood and Son wouldn't.

E.S. Wood born 1816 in NJ. Came to Texas in 1840-50 era. In the 1860 slave census he had three slaves. In a 1888-89 city directory his wife Annie( born 1821) is a widow but the Hardware store is at the NE Corner of Tremont and Ave L.
As others said hundreds and thousands of Hardware stores and Barber Shop supply stores had German or English razors marked with their brands.
I love Texas razors.

In keeping with a Texas theme on this razor, has anyone ever built or seen scales that have the Texas star on them? Any pointers would be appreciated.

Eric

Google Texas Star earrings.

Many are 1/2 inch and should work for your purposes. Just have them inlaid when you have new scales done.