Thread: Looking at this razor as a gift and wondering.....

...what it'd take to rsstore the blade to a mirror finish.

Geneva Cutlery Geneva NY pretty handled straight razor | eBay

(don't fret if you don't reply til after the listing ends, there'll be others, I'm almost sure )

That looks like it has a lot of wear, the blade looks pretty narrow.

In terms of what it takes to get a mirror finish: time and practice!

To hand sand a blade can take a fair few hours and you'll need sandpaper/micromesh from 120 up to 12,000, plus Maas polish.

You'll also need to unpin the blade without damaging the scales or make new scales, and then repin the blade do you'll need 1/16 rod and washers too.

None of this is impossible but it does take time to master. I'm still in the process of learning some of these techniques myself!

I'd definitely look more closely at the blade you linked as well. It looks far too narrow to me, possibly indicating excessive wear.

Personally, I wouln't touch it. Much too narrow for me. If you look closely at the heel, you'll see a point, rather than a bit of roundness. Could be excessive wear....maybe also a crack in the hollow, and the bottom bit of the blade snapped off. I've done that during a restoration....and then cursed very loudly.

Originally Posted by Stubear

That looks like it has a lot of wear, the blade looks pretty narrow. In terms of what it takes to get a mirror finish: time and practice! To hand sand a blade can take a fair few hours and you'll need sandpaper/micromesh from 120 up to 12,000, plus Maas polish. You'll also need to unpin the blade without damaging the scales or make new scales, and then repin the blade do you'll need 1/16 rod and washers too. None of this is impossible but it does take time to master. I'm still in the proce..."

Thanks a million, Stubear! But I was kinda meaning what would it take to have somebody else restore the blade to a mirror finish, as in cost-wise. lol But you and Maxi both were a big help with the heads up about the blade being shot - kind a makes the shiny part a bit of a moot point, ya think? I'm looking for vintage razors in good condition, no nicks, good scales, etc., by any company made 100 years ago with some detail that makes it appealing - like that handle on that razor was definitely great but the blade can't be junk, right? I know there were too many little razor companies to ask the likelihood of finding a replacement blade for that handle so I wont.

Originally Posted by Maxi

"Personally, I wouln't touch it..."

Thanks that, Maxi! (also see my reply to Stubear's post)

This is a thread that might help a bit....

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...eb-2011-a.html

Thanks a million, Stubear! But I was kinda meaning what would it take to have somebody else restore the blade to a mirror finish, as in cost-wise.

The problem is, the restorer won't _really_ know how much to charge until he has the blade in his hands. So you have to buy it, and then find out how much it will cost to fix up.

IMHO, you're going at this the wrong way. Instead:

. . . set your budget, and
. . . go through the Classifieds on this site to find a razor which is "gift-quality" (whatever that means to you).

You'll know your cost "up front", and be pretty well guaranteed to get a fine blade.

Charles

PS -- If your budget is tight, you might also check Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales.

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

The problem is, the restorer won't _really_ know how much to charge until he has the blade in his hands. So you have to buy it, and then find out how much it will cost to fix up.

There are a few hundred people out there that would disagree with you, and that is just through my website
I can't even count the number of e-bay pics I have looked at, and given advice and quotes about... and that is just this restorer, I am sure most everyone else does the same....
In fact that is one of the huge benefits of getting to know people on the site, there are quite a few people that are willing to help, the new guys/gals...
Just ask, the worst thing that can happen is we say "I don't know, ask this person"

That being said my standard advice is the same as yours "Stay away from E-bay until you don't have to ask"

Well said 6gun, that is exactly what I would have said... Stay away from the bay until you know what to look for...

I've got too many that are junk, cuz I didn't know

Don't follow in my footsteps.... In some cases it really works to learn from others mistakes first...

Bye!

Glen wrote:

There are a few hundred people out there that would disagree with you, and that is just through my website
I can't even count the number of e-bay pics I have looked at, and given advice and quotes about... and that is just this restorer, I am sure most everyone else does the same....

I stand corrected.

Charles