Thread: Seeking Restoration

Good Evening,
I have been a visitor to this site numerous times in the distant past, Today I have finally stepped up and am making a post. While in college I began shaving with a straight razor mainly to save money as I couldnt afford the disposable razors with my thick, heavy and sensitive facial hair. I purchased an inexpensive run of the mill dovo razor and thought that I could begin to shave with it. I decided to do this because I have very fond memories of my Grandfather whom shaved every morning and I was mesmerized by the process! Needless to say I was in much deeper than I had realized. After butchering myself and half frustrated, I went to my barber whom is 72 years old and still gives shaves with straight razor and all. I picked his brain and showed him my razor. He said that i needed a strop and small amounts of compound. He took me to the back and showed me where he maintained his razors and showed me how easy it is to strop and maintain the edge. He ordered me a simple strop and gave it to me as a gift as long as I purchased the compound. A few years ago my parents were cleaning out the attic and came across numerous boxes that had grandpa's stuff in them. They came across a cigar box full of his shaving supplies that were rusting and the scales were deformed from high heats in the attic. They were going to throw them out when I said "Woah, hold on I would like them to restore and preserve my old memories" My father thought it would be impossible but I insisted. Right then I began by getting rid of the old scales and rusty pins and out of the 4 razors were able to salvage the 3 blades. I got rid of as much rust and pitting and whatnot and then put them away.

Fast forward 2 years. I am still shaving with my dovo and have had it honed twice in the 4 or so years i have had it and kept the edge by stropping. I have since gotten married, been through 2 jobs, and most unfortunately moved into an apartment complex. I have no equipment and although have contemplated purchasing a grinder, sander, or the likewise, cannot do so in a small city apartment. I have recently came back across the razors and would love to get them restored to bring my grandfather's great legacy back to me!

I am trying to find someone who may be interested in restoring one or more of these. With my job and my living situation i do not have any kind of opportunity to do this.
From top to bottom:
1. Griffon XX number 67 - on the back of the tang there is a faint stamping of the griffon logo and Germany underneath it.
This is the razor in the best shape.
2. On the blade is stamped Wolff, Lane, & Co. with Real Hollow Ground Razor underneath. On the tang it has stamped Joseph Elliot's best silver steel Sheffield, Eng. Nothing on the back of the razor. This one was my grandfather's favorite and most used!
3. Says Search-Light on front of tang, and on the back Covalt & Smith Pittsburgh, PA - This razor is not symmetrical from the back to the point as can be seen in the pictures.

I am hoping to get the 2nd one restored and am not picky about scales, pinning, or finish. If anyone would like to tackle this please message me and hopefully we can discuss some kind of plan!

Thanks for any help!
-Mike

Hey, CU,

Lovely razors. I'm not a sheffield fan, but that shoulderless Elliott is gorgeous. Both that and the Griffon are known good shavers. Something to consider is what level of attachment you have w/ your Grandfather's stuff. 'Hard to compare anything to using an ancestor's blade. Even though I dabble in the work, for this kind of razor, I'd send to a pro. If funds don't permit, I'd coat them in oil and wait 'till I could do it right. Its something you don't want nagging you a decade or two down the road.

'Very nice razors. 'Hope they get the best of care.

Thanks pink for the comments! the funds really are not there to "go all out" but i basically just want to get the blade cleaned up, shaped, and honed. As for scales, basic is what i am looking for now as i want a usable product and the blade is the important piece! Just to be able to shave with my grandfather's favorite razor would be superb! Down the road when it comes time to "retire" it then I would have it done up meticulously! As I said, thanks for the comments, and I hope to run across someone willing to do the restoration.

Cu261, I would check out this link to SRP members who do restores and custom work. Check out their work in the vendors section and then PM them with what you would like to have done.
Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Regards,

Howard