My First Straight

[Walking_Target]

Well, this is my Ebay buy.

I was very surprised when it arrived as it still has a very, very sharp edge on it (probably just needs a good stropping!). The blade itself is rather stained, but in good condition.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5205/p1010361oq4.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/9935/p1010362na1.jpg

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5938/p1010366ft5.jpg

It's not perfectly clear in the first two pictures, but there is an "H H" on the blade.

My questions, given the blade etching and the stamp on the tang; What company made it, Where was it made and approximately when?

Also, should i worry about preserving the blade etching, and if so how should i go about cleaning the steel without destroying the markings?

oh, and the scales are celluloid, anything i should avoid using to clean the razor?

[trewornan]

It's Swedish anyway - Eskiltuna is the Swedish equivalent of Sheffield. Razors from there have a very good rep.

[Limey]

Congratulations! Its a great feeling to get your hands on your first straight. A polishing with Maas, a good soap & water bath and finally a stropping then give it a try and see how it feels/performs. Good luck!

[jimmyray]

Based on the photos, it looks like the edge may need more than a stropping. While the edge is even, it looks like there is some rust/corrosion on the edge. That will probably need to be honed out. Though it doesn't look like it will take much to make it into a great shaver!

[Walking_Target]

Thanks for the quick responses!

I'll give it a go on my diamond-pasted strop (5 micron) followed by a stropping on a plain leather hanging strop.

Any ideas on the "HH" on the blade?