Talked To My Uncle, And He's Giving Me A Straight Razor

[BobCochran]

While on a very recent trip to Massachusetts, I stopped in at my uncle's home and I mentioned that I am starting to get involved in wet shaving and I want to buy a straight razor and learn how to use it. He excused himself for a few minutes and then came back with a shoe box that was full of old Gillette razors. But the one that took my eye was an old straight razor still in what seems the original box. He offered me the entire collection. The razors had once been used by the father of a friend of his who died some years ago. The father handed it down to his son, the son presumably added to the collection, and when he died my uncle rescued the shoe box from the trash can. He tucked it away for at least several years. And now the collection is coming to me. I won't be able to take possession of or photos of the straight razor until September 27, because my uncle is bringing it to my home by car. It looks like it has been used heavily used. I am just able to see the following markings with the help of a magnifier:

Edelweiss
H. Boker & Co
Manufactured by Wade & Butcher
Sheffield

It has a square blade. I understand those are not the best for a beginning straight razor user to start with.

I don't have any knowledge of straight razors. I would like to have this one restored to a "shave ready" condition if possible and perhaps have the scales replaced -- the original scales look damaged. The amboyna burls I've seen in other threads make me drool. I don't have shop space or woodworking skill so I need to hire someone to do the restoration for me. I would like to shave with this razor. I might buy a new razor that is rounded so I can learn how to shave first, and then graduate to using this old one if it can be restored successfully.

I will post photos to this thread as soon as I can. Does it make sense for a complete beginner with a straight razor to have an old razor restored and then shave with it?

Thanks

Bob Cochran
Greenbelt, Maryland, USA

[r0ckrat]

I think you are right in having it restored, but I wouldn't be to worried about the square point. As long as care is taken when working with the tip and near the ears, then it's not really that hard. (Coming from a person who only recently got started, by collecting six straights, three of which have spike points, and three round). I find the square tip actually easier to shave with, as you KNOW where the tip of the edge is.

Edit: From what I understand the Boker's are great razors. Very nice find! Did he let you select a couple of DE's as well? :)

[BobCochran]

I think you are right in having it restored, but I wouldn't be to worried about the square point. As long as care is taken when working with the tip and near the ears, then it's not really that hard. (Coming from a person who only recently got started, by collecting six straights, three of which have spike points, and three round). I find the square tip actually easier to shave with, as you KNOW where the tip of the edge is.

Edit: From what I understand the Boker's are great razors. Very nice find! Did he let you select a couple of DE's as well? :)

Thank you very much for the vote of confidence. I'm already thinking about the restoration possibilities. When I get the razor I'll take a lot of "before" pictures and then send it for restoration. Yes, I'll be getting the entire collection of double edge razors. I guess those are the Gillette models? There is one called a Gem Razor and a second one is called a "Leslie Safety Razor and Spiral Stropper".

Bob

[Tolduonce]

Don't fear the square point. Like the previous poster said, it's easier to know where the edge is with a square than with a round. If you're looking for a restorer, sniff around this forum for another post by me made earlier today. Glen will do you proud. Just sayin'.

Hey, tell him, Hayward sentcha.

[BobCochran]

I now have the razor! These pictures are not the best, I will try to do better tomorrow. There is a lot of rust on each side of the blade. The edge feels pretty dull. The scales is damaged. I don't know what this scales is made of, it looks woody. The inside of the scales has crud crusted on it. I want to send this out for restoration, including a new scales. An interesting feature of the current scales is that a number, "127", was scratched onto it. I wonder what that was for? Could a pawn shop owner have done that?

[Fnord5]

The scales are made from horn.

The rust on the edge is a concern, do you have any 4-600 grit sandpaper?

If you do, lay it on a flat surface, and strop the blade a few times on both sides(spine leading, perfectly flat) after that, check the edge, if there are black spots in the shiny portion you just made with the sandpaper, the blade is likely going to be swiss cheese, and a lost cause. If there are not black spots, coat the thing with oil and send it out for restoration.

[leighton]

Initial prognosis is bad.

+1 with Fnord

[BobCochran]

Thanks for the suggestion. I went to my local Lowe's over lunch today for sandpaper and I'm very surprised that I couldn't find any over 220 grit. The store is really big and Lowe's does not make it easy to quickly find a desired item. I mean I wish I could type something into a touchscreen like "sandpaper, 600 grit" and get the aisle number I'll find it in or an out-of-stock indication. Asking store employees often has variable results. I'll try the local home decorating store or Home Depot next.

[turbine712]

Go to an automotive store like NAPA or Pep Boy's they should have wet dry sandpaper for what you need to do.

[r0ckrat]

I've had better luck at the smaller places, lice ACE Hardware outlets, as well. I even have a sheet of 1500 grit W/D that was like 99 cents.