Thread: Help cleaning my straight razor and scales

So i bought this straight razor and it need some good cleaning. Doing some research here on the site and reading what other people do on cleaning there straights i want to get some ideas for my own straight.

I live in South Africa and this is what i can get as a metal polish "Brasso" Brasso Metal Polish 200ml | General | Cleaning Products | Household | Food & Household | Woolworths.co.za | Food, Home, Clothing & General Merchandise available online!

will this fine to use on the blade and on the scales???? i do not have and power polish tools or machines, so everything i will do will be by hand. i also do not want to seperate the blade and scales because i have no idea where to buy new pins or even to take it apart and put it back together.

I read that after shaving you put some oil on the blade for protection, my barber said i must but thin layer of vaseline on, is that ok or not.

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!

Thanks cudarunner, even if this my first razor, there does not seem to be alot and deep pits. I have look at sand paper here and they are not grade as 600 or 1200 grits, but 60 course, 100 medium to 150/180 fine.

Try an auto parts store for the finer grits.