Restoration - just say when

[pds]

Hi all - my first proper post on the SRP...

I've resurrected a handful of razors for my own use and have several more I've picked up that I'll probably sell on. I'm by no means an expert but am enjoying 'honing' (sorry) my skills. I'm interested on how other's view the level of restoration that should be carried out.

So far I've tried to balance aesthetics with function and tried to keep the reworking minimal so that the razor still retains a sense of age. Most restored razors I've seen probably look better than new (not that I'm knocking that approach - I've got a couple, they look fantastic and take a lot more effort than I've been putting in - is this the approach that most restorers take?
I sometimes feel making them mint condition is erasing history - does any one else think making an old razor look mint might be a bit like getting your grandmother a facelift and a miniskirt or is it just me?

[Martin103]

Post some pics? I think most Restorers on here perform what the customer ask for....

[Walt]

does any one else think making an old razor look mint might be a bit like getting your grandmother a facelift and a miniskirt or is it just me?

Like all things, this is very subjective and open to opinion. Personally I am of the "if it ain't broke - don't fix it" school. I like the traditional look of razors and prefer to keep them as historically correct as possible. But, there are those heathens who will follow their perverse ways and modify their razors with all manner of unworldly materials and designs! So, follow your own muse and restore your razors to suit yourself. And remember - There are those fellows out there who would love to see your granny with a facelift and frolicking in a miniskirt.

Regards - Walt

[Slartibartfast]

There was a good thread on this, but I am too lazy to look it up.

My opinion is...

1) You have customization. This is doing stuff like replacing the scales with purple acrylic. Adding jimps. Dremeling the spine. etc...

2) Restoration. Not a whole lot to add. The act of restoring a razor to its original state.


EDIT: Here is Glen's take on it.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...storation.html

[UPD]

Depends on what the customer wants and how much metal I have to work with...Hollow ground razors are very thin and don't allow for a lot of grinding.

I really like the NOS look, the way the razor would have looked if I bought it new back in the day... that's just me personally. I also like the worn vintage look of an old plow horse razor, so I'm cool with it any which way.

[Str8Shooter]

For me it all depends on the Razor. I stay away from the acrylics as I don't like em. I do enjoy using bone, horn and wood with the occasional G10. Less is more IMHO.

[gssixgun]

Opinions well we all know what that saying is...

Simple facts are...

If you are a pro you do what you are asked to do, as best as you can... and only the customer's opinion matters

If you are working on your own razor, you do whatever floats your boat, as best as you can, because no one else's opinion really matters

ps: I wrote that thread Slarti linked to as more of a guide of what we all do, and more the different stages of restoration, how far you go in those stages ??? well just read above

pss: Actually in the end when you get down to brass tacks, the razor really decides on what is possible and what isn't...

[johnmrson]

It depends on the individual razor. Some look great left with years of patina on the blade and a nick or two out of the scales. The problem with straight razors though is that they are highly susceptible to rust which you need to removed.

[paco664]

snip.....

And remember - There are those fellows out there who would love to see your granny with a facelift and frolicking in a miniskirt.

Regards - Walt

SAFE FOR WORK....

[pds]

I was forgetting about commercial customization - I'd see that as a different matter as commented the customer decides.
Terminology wise by 'restoration' I meant from making the blade functional and anything beyond, including customization.
This wasn't intended as a leading question by the way - as a novice I'm just interested in the opinions of the community.

pss: Actually in the end when you get down to brass tacks, the razor really decides on what is possible and what isn't...

Good observation, I guess this, in some ways, gets to the heart of the dilemma for me.

As an example I recently picked up a Gotta and a Baurmann & Sohne both of which have an etched blade. With a bit of effort and careful hand polishing I can probably restore the Baurmann to a polish not a million miles from the factory finish while maintaining the etching, easy! The Gotta, however, would likely need to be polished to an extent that will destroy the etching or it's going to look a bit nasty.

I guess this exemplifies what I mean by the functional/aesthetic balance, I can make the Gotta into a good shaver and leave it looking a bit crappy, polish out the tarnishing (thus loosing the etching) so it looks attractive if not new or, if I'm going to lose the etching anyway go at it with the wet and dry to get a mirror finish. Still undecided on this one but liable to take the middle ground...