Thread: No markings...worth my time?

I brought two razors off a website auction the other day. I got them as one of them is a Cattaraugus & it's going to be my first attempt at restoring. The other one has no brand or markings on it at all. It is even worth me playing around with it or shall I just throw it the workbench drawer? It's quite old....
The pale colored one is the one with no markings.

I would see if it takes a bevel....

If your just starting out restoring, I would start with the no name one first. You learn a LOT with your first restores and often unfortunately make mistakes. I believe the Cattaraugus is a very good razor so I wouldnt use it for my first.
Grant

Originally Posted by jahaworth

I brought two razors off a website auction the other day. I got them as one of them is a Cattaraugus & it's going to be my first attempt at restoring. The other one has no brand or markings on it at all. It is even worth me playing around with it or shall I just throw it the workbench drawer? It's quite old....
The pale colored one is the one with no markings.

Yes .....

My two cents...

Tidy it up so the blade is sanitary.

Hone it, strop it, shave test (twice).

This applies to both razors.

Since neither has gold plate or etching that
I can see. A bit of 2000 grit wet dry hand sanding
should remove the worst of the cruft on the blade.
Follow that with a good bevel set, hone, strop,
shave test.

Even the scales look serviceable "as is" on
both razors.

If the steel is as good as I suspect both are
you can ponder the need for a high polish
or fancy scales after shaving with them
for a while.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

I would see if it takes a bevel....

+1 to this.
I have several old, no name razors. I no longer worry about it. They made stuff to last in the old days, and unless it has been damaged along the way chances are it will be a fine shaver. Best of luck.

In the world of pocket knife collecting the rule of thumb was if a maker didn't think enough of his work to put his name on it then it probably wasn't much good. OTOH, I agree with the general consensus. Hone it and see if it is a good one. Nothing to lose but some time and effort and it may pay off.

Thanks for the replies guys. I have removed the scales and started hand polishing the blade. It's actually coming up OK. I'm going to have a go at making some scales as I don't like the original ones. If it turns out OK I'm going to give it to a mate as a gift. Thanks again for your advice.