Thread: Worth Saving?

Hello all I recently picked up these two razors and I was curious if these were worth trying to restore. The edge on one is uneven and there is a small crack in the other. Could these issues be honed or ground out? Any info would be appreciated new to this and looking for help!

I'm sure they can be restored, but it may not be the best first choice. I can tell you that you'll learn alot along the way, if you decide on these as your firsts. Just be patient. It's gonna take a significant time expenditure. The question of whether or not they are worth it, is one only you can answer. Restoration for some, is more about learning. Once a razor is done, my interest in it fades. Getting it there was the interesting part for me.

Thanks for the quick feedback! This will be my second complete restore and I have some other razors that I can use instread so maybe I'll start those instead. I don't know how to hone so I am mainly curious if the edges could be honed back to straight line for the first picture and if the crack could be honed out in the second picture. Your completly right though in that playing around and learning is the fun part. Each time I come across a new challenge I learn something. Maybe these two will be the pair to play around with

Why would you WANT to hone it into a straight line? There is the possibility that it ALWAYS had a slight smile, and, smiling razors are not necessarily a bad thing anyway. Some people work hard to create a smile.

As for the second razor, I dont even see a crack. Better pic?

Hmm good point I never thought of it like that thanks! Yeah all I had at the time was my phone. Ill post a better picture tonight.

If it is a crack there's not much you can do about it. I have a Fredrick Reynolds that i had to shorten by about an inch to get rid of a hair line crack, and now it is one of my favorite blades.

There is nothing wrong with a razor if it has a smile.
You can hone it out but it will take a while.
It's called a straight razor, but the edge doesn't have to be straight.
A straight edge is a bit more fussy to shave with anyway, mate.

It stands to reason that a straight edge is really close to a frown.
And if you make a mistake with either one it will take you down.
I'd leave it as it is and shave with it for a while.
I think your smiling edge will leave you with a smile.