Restoration DIY or Hire a Professional

I have a razor coming that needs serious restoration. I dont mind putting in the work at all, and I am excited about turing it back into a usable razor. But it needs a lot of work and I have never attempted any sort of restoration before. The razor is so beautiful to me that I dont want to take the chance of messing it up beyond the point of repair. Do you think that I should send it to someone for professional restoration, or is there nothing really that I could mess up that couldnt be fixed? Here is the razor, I posted pics in another thread as well.

http://i21.ebayimg.com/04/i/07/a5/9d/d0_3.JPG

Just curious, did you plan to keep the scales or get new ones? Who made that razor because it looks just like one of those WB wedges. And I see something about Fine India etched on the blade.

Well if you don't mind spending lots of hours sanding I try give it a try yourself. I personnaly enjoyed seeing my razor go from nasty and rusty to a sorta nice shine. Its gives a nice pride in the razor.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pitbulls20

Just curious, did you plan to keep the scales or get new ones? Who made that razor because it looks just like one of those WB wedges. And I see something about Fine India etched on the blade.

Well if you don't mind spending lots of hours sanding I try give it a try yourself. I personnaly enjoyed seeing my razor go from nasty and rusty to a sorta nice shine. Its gives a nice pride in the razor.

---

Its a WB and I wanted to try to salvage the scales...If not that I wanted to try to duplicate them.

I like the scales also, hope you can save them

I'd send that one to Ross Cutlery and have them regrind it. It'll take off the rust, pitting, and hone wear, and you'll have a better razor. Almost like new. Best $22 you can spend on a great old razor.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

I'd send that one to Ross Cutlery and have them regrind it. It'll take off the rust, pitting, and hone wear, and you'll have a better razor. Almost like new. Best $22 you can spend on a great old razor.

---

Joe, are you saying that because its probably beyond my ability to restore, or because its just easier and they will do a better job. Also if I decide to send it out should I just send the blade or include the scales as is?

I don't know what your capabilities are. I'm pretty good at cleaning them up, but on that one, you're dealing with multiple problems, including hone wear. I can clean one up, but I can't remove hone wear. Ross can. So, to answer your question, it's just because it's easier, and according to several people who should know, Ross does a great job. I just sent 3 similar razors off to Ross myself. The guy at Ross says it doesn't matter, but he really prefers blades with handles on, just to make it easier and give him something to hold on to.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

I don't know what your capabilities are. I'm pretty good at cleaning them up, but on that one, you're dealing with multiple problems, including hone wear. I can clean one up, but I can't remove hone wear. Ross can. So, to answer your question, it's just because it's easier, and according to several people who should know, Ross does a great job. I just sent 3 similar razors off to Ross myself. The guy at Ross says it doesn't matter, but he really prefers blades with handles on, just to make it easier and give him something to hold on to.

---

Do you have contact info or a website?

The have a website, but it's not very good. I just called him. The number is: (213) 626-1897. They also sell some NOS Filarmonicas. I ordered a 6/8 from them. I'm not sure what other sizes he has.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

They also sell some NOS Filarmonicas. I ordered a 6/8 from them. I'm not sure what other sizes he has.

---

DID NOT NEED TO KNOW THAT.....you are another one of those people that I seem to loose money whenever I talk to you LOL....:p :D

Joe, how did you find out about them? I saw their website they didnt mention anything about straight razor sharpening. Did they mention that 22.00 was the price regardless of condition??

BTW,

John Crowley said this on straightedgerazors.com: Ross Cutlery - The only place to have a razor professsionally reground.

They must be good.

I actually heard about them from Randy Tuttle (randydance). His word is good enough for me. I can't wait to get mine back from Ross, particularly an (almost) 8/8 Wostenholm. It was in good condition except for some hone wear, so maybe it'll be like new when I get it back. I also sent him a very old Holyoake & Lownes wedge, and a 6/8 Electric. I'll post on here when I get them back. And yes, $22 is for regrinding it and honing (I think), no matter the condition (assuming it's salvageable, which most are if it hasn't rusted completely through the blade) although I'll probably hone them myself when I get 'em in. Who knows, they may not need it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

I actually heard about them from Randy Tuttle (randydance). His word is good enough for me. I can't wait to get mine back from Ross, particularly an (almost) 8/8 Wostenholm. It was in good condition except for some hone wear, so maybe it'll be like new when I get it back. I also sent him a very old Holyoake & Lownes wedge, and a 6/8 Electric. I'll post on here when I get them back. And yes, $22 is for regrinding it and honing (I think), no matter the condition (assuming it's salvageable, which most are if it hasn't rusted completely through the blade) although I'll probably hone them myself when I get 'em in. Who knows, they may not need it.

---

Cool, Thanks Joe!

JL, here's a picture of the razors I got back from Ross. They are, from top down,
6/8 Electric
15/16 Wostenholm
13/16 Holyoake Lownes wedge
6/8 Filarmonica (that one's new)

As you can see, they came back pretty nice. The Holyoake and Wostenholm were worse than your W&B, in fairness. Ross can definitely improve your razor, but don't expect miracles. Still, for $22, it's worth it. They do need to be honed after you get them back, btw.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

JL, here's a picture of the razors I got back from Ross. They are, from top down,
6/8 Electric
15/16 Wostenholm
13/16 Holyoake Lownes wedge
6/8 Filarmonica (that one's new)

As you can see, they came back pretty nice. The Holyoake and Wostenholm were worse than your W&B, in fairness. Ross can definitely improve your razor, but don't expect miracles. Still, for $22, it's worth it. They do need to be honed after you get them back, btw.

---

Are they noticeably more hollowed??

Not too much.

I do like 'em a bit better, now that I've rehandled them and buffed them out a bit. Not really happy yet with the CA finish on the rosewood handles, but it's gonna polish out nicely, I think.