Thread: Advice for a William Greaves & Sons

Hi all,


I was given this razor this week while on a course. You know when the trainer says tell the group something about yourself that nobody knows. I told them I restore straight razors, well one of the group brought in this Greaves for me as a present. Goes to show telling people about this strange hobby has its benefits.


Anyway the question is do I do a full restore and take it to a mirror finish or leave it as it is at the present with the original grind marks in but with the pitting still just visible. My gut feeling is to leave it as it is nearly original, I had to get the scales off to get at the rust but other than that it is how it left the factory not 5miles from my home 160+yrs ago.

The scales have come up like new and are in a bath off neat’s-foot oil as we speak.

Anyway looking forward to your comments and I will post pictures when it is finished.

I think it looks great the way it is. Great score.

I believe that an old razor has earned its nicks, scratches and patina and, unless the scales are broken, should retain its character. Seeing a hundred-and-fifty year old razor with a mirror finish and pop art scales is like looking at an old geezer like me with a face lift. It just ain't 'natcheral'. That just one man's opinion and, I'm sure, you will hear from many folks with another point of view.

Regards - Walt

Hone it and love it. The scales are better than I have found on any this side of the pond. I believe that there is a place in Scotland which has the amber bleached horn if you decide to replace those scales.( Highland Horn - Horn, Antler, Wood materials, Tools and Accessories for Stickmakers & Craftworkers) and there should be others. I have not found that amber horn yet over here.
A great old razor you have.
Respectfully
~Richard

Hi all
Here is the razor after its final restoration I decided to leave it as original as possible with the exception of new pins (nickel/silver with stainless washers) and a bit of a polish.

I think the scales came up a treat and are the best I have ever had hold of. The razor will be honed tomorrow ready for my Friday night shave before I go out for a few beers. I will report back to say how it shaved.

Thanks for the advice that was given I have started to leave my razors as near as possible to original as I can even before this restoration, however this is quite hard for me as I only buy beat up razors that need a lot of work. All my razor have to be stripped out of their scales before I start. However I have started to leave the pitting and marks to show that these razors had a life before I got hold of them.

What a beautiful old thing you got yourself, well done keeping her with her years showing a little. Marvelous razor.

What a fine job you've done...I hope she respects you by not cutting you too badly.

Great job, looks really nicely done. Your pinning looks very well done. You need to drop some pics on the Custom Builts and Restores section of the forum for all to see.

Looks like a couple of chips in the edge there, a bit of work on the hones and she will be right to go.

That looks just terrific. I like both mirror finishes and weathered razors each in their own right, and I think you made a great choice here, particularly with keeping those scales.

Originally Posted by Geezer

Hone it and love it. The scales are better than I have found on any this side of the pond. I believe that there is a place in Scotland which has the amber bleached horn if you decide to replace those scales.( Highland Horn - Horn, Antler, Wood materials, Tools and Accessories for Stickmakers & Craftworkers) and there should be others. I have not found that amber horn yet over here.
A great old razor you have.
Respectfully
~Richard

Many thanks for a marvellous source that I would never known existed in my own country.