Thread: Help cleaning my straight razor and scales

Your razor is in pretty good condition. Brasso or any of the cream or paste type metal polishes should work. Also, some wet/dry sand paper from 600 to 2000 grit should be used first to remove those rusted areas. When the blade is shiny, then you can finish with the metal polish. These polishes will also work well to shine up your scales. I rub it on briskly until I can feel the heat from the friction on my fingers. Then wipe it off with a soft cloth for a nice finish.

Regards - Walt

Originally Posted by Walt

Your razor is in pretty good condition. Brasso or any of the cream or paste type metal polishes should work. Also, some wet/dry sand paper from 600 to 2000 grit should be used first to remove those rusted areas. When the blade is shiny, then you can finish with the metal polish. These polishes will also work well to shine up your scales. I rub it on briskly until I can feel the heat from the friction on my fingers. Then wipe it off with a soft cloth for a nice finish.

Regards - Walt

is the same method that i use.
I use the abrasive paper along with Sidol, first only in the horizontal and later (with another card of the same grit) in the direction vertical
It need some work but then you have an incredible soddisfaction

While Walt is correct about the using the sandpaper to remove the rust, before I did that, I'd use the Brasso with some newspaper to apply the polish with first.

This will allow you to see what you have better.

If or when you decide to use the wet and dry sand paper, Walt's recommendation is right on! If you start in too low of a grit then the sanding scratches are harder to remove!

Now! How are you going to be able to shave with it?? Is there someone locally who can hone it for you? If not, you will need to send it off for honing!

Shipping across the big pond costs a fair amount of money, however there are Pro honers in the UK that I could recommend.

While the one I have in mind hasn't honed for me, I know that he's very picky about his work!

Please send some more progress pictures, especially if you just us the Brasso first! Step by step is very informative and interesting!!

Good Luck! Enjoy the ride!!

Thanks for you input guys. I am looking for some people that might help me to hone my razor. I will post some more pics with my progress on the razor.

I would suggest you send a PM to MichaelC who manufactures wonderful natural hones there in South Africa. He may be able to put you in contact with someone locally who could hone your razor.

Regards - Walt

So after a quick and small amount of soap and water followed with cleaning with Brasso polish metal this is what my razor looks like..



will post pics when i will do all the sanding work.

I like what I see!! That came out looking nice!

Are the slightly dark spots 'pit's? If not,I wouldn't start too low in the sanding grit. Try the higher grits first, you can always go back down!

Not every razor needs to have a near mirror finish!