Thread: New Member - First Post & First Razor

when I first looked at your photos, I agreed with what Ben said about that edge corrosion. It's still hard to say how it looks from the photos, and that could be an adventure.

One thing that I started doing (after receiving this advice from the resto sages), is honing the razor until the bevel was set before doing any other work unless I was really confident about the integrity of the edge. It's a kick to the chucks when you spend a few days hand sanding a blade, only to end up with a highly polished swiss cheese edge. Anyway, good luck!

I got the T.T.C. cleaned up nicely, the sanding took whatever was left of the etching clean off, and the makers stamp also. The blade appears to have a wavy gleam to it...maybe more sanding to smooth it out???

The Taylor "Eye Witness" - cleaned up very nice. I am having a hard time getting a really nice mirror finish though. Honing is needed, and I am waiting on materials for scales (MOP, Paua, and mammoth ivory). I have some nice gazelle horn (in hand) that I need to cut into slabs. I am undecided which I am going to use.

I am hoping to add pictures after work. *** Not a straight razor, but I was gifted a Gillette Fat Boy adjustable that is very clean, and a Fuller Badger brush also very clean.

Welcome to the forum, JumboJohnny.

You're starting in style, despite their appearances. Don't worry about the lost W&B, that Taylor "Eye Witness" may be a great shaver. My own Taylor (an "Imperial Service" 11/16th curved beauty) is an awesome shaver. The Silver Steel looks like it may need major edge restoration to remove the frown. Probably not a good first honing project.

Cool gifts, have you used a non-pivoting safety razor before? Also, before you start removing those chips on the edges and revealing "fresh" steel have you investigated the advantages of taping the spine during intense metal removal?

Thanks AxelH.

I am done working on the Silver Steel - I just dont want completely ruin a nice blade. I have been reviewing some restorations and I think I have a couple members in mind that could probably do some good with that blade, so I will likely pay for that restoration - Or I will trade the blade for something a little less delicate for my inexperience.

As for the honing and taping, I am not going to be doing my own honing. I see a couple vendors on this site that will do a fine job and for a good cost too. I am only looking to hone the Taylor for now since that is going to be my shaver. The sanding and polishing I can do on my own, but I havent got the stones for honing (hidden joke in there).

I have used a non-pivot safety before, but not many times. My fiancee's grandmother just went into a home so I was given the brush and two razors as a thank you. The second razor I havent identified yet.

Hi about the eye witness yours is a plunkett not a taylors from my understanding .Im only saying this because i just got one the same ,lime st liverpool is where it says they were made and i cant find any other info on them im thinking they should be made befor 1890 ish i will post pics when it finally arrives.

I know its hard to see in the scan, but the "Eye" is the makers stamp for Taylor's Eye Witness. This blade is a Taylor. If you can post a link that can show me some different information I would greatly appreciate it. All links and images of makers marks that I have found indicate this is a Taylor.

http://www.strazors.com/index.php?id...s_eye_witness_

This link will show the marks that the company has used. My razor has the "Eye" with WITNESS stamped under it.

I like the shape of that W&B, pity it is cracked. I started 'restoring' (AKO 'destroying') an Emil Kronenberg on the weekend. It had rust on the blade and esp around the pivot, but not as bad as your first one posted. It also had a gold wash design. There was no way I could remove the rust and keep the design (in my completely ill-informed opinion). I took to it with wet and dry sandpaper (600) and a sanding pad. Plus courser paper for a little bit. It now looks shocking. HOWEVER, if I keep going I think it will eventually look beautiful, I reckon given the time anything might be possible. I've never done anything like this before. It's possible it could have been restored in another way, but I'm committing myself to the project. I may try and remove the scales soon and either buff them and replace them or try and fit some Thiers Izzard scales. I've NO idea what I'm doing, but it does give me something to do...

I am still very new to razors. I have done knives and other metal projects in the past so I have the tools and a foundation of related experience to work from. The scales are proving to be my biggest challenge so far.

That cracked W&B I cut down and grinder a bit, I made a separate post about it. It's about 1/2 inch now, I still need to finish an polish it, but it will shave soon.

I do apologize for never getting more pics up. I can't ever seem to find the time to snap a few shots. Too busy with all of my cleaning and sanding. Soon I will get some...I hope.

Also another "new" problem that I am having is with the buffing wheels on my grinder/buffer. When I am working a blade or reloading a wheel with compund, the wheel stopps turning while the machine is still on. They seem loose, like they arent the right size, but they came with the machine so they are correct. Does anybody have ideas about how I can secure the wheels better?

Ok i see what your saying about the eye witness stamp mine has it just the same and taylors are the only makers that i know of with that mark,so im thinking maybe plunketts bought blanks from them and then ground them and put their names on them as well mine says plunketts celebrated hollow ground set ready for use on blade and the tang is the same as yours. Looks like i need to find out if they sold their blades with just their eye witness mark.

Can you post a link to wherever you found information on "Plunkett" razors. I have googled and search the forums, but I have nothing showing up. I was under the impression that it was just one of the locations in which the Taylor was producing razors. I would be interested in learning a bit more about my razor.