Polish or Patina?

[life2short1971]

This is Wedge is pretty solid but the darkest areas contain some mild pitting that i'll never get out 100%. I can't decide whether to leave the patina,give it a brushed finish with 180grit greaseless or less on the buffer or plish it to a nice shine. The scales will be black acrylic for now with brass trimming most likely. I may switch to horn in the future but this is just to keep her from catching a cold. I would appreciate the opinions of those who have been through this. Thanks in advance.

[Legion]

It is an old blade. There is nothing wrong with keeping the patina. It gives it character and history. I think people often spend too much time and effort making antiques look new. If you want something that looks new buy a new razor. I vote patina.

[life2short1971]

By the way both pictures are its present state in different lighting. Thank you for your opinion.

[honed]

It is an old blade. There is nothing wrong with keeping the patina. It gives it character and history. I think people often spend too much time and effort making antiques look new. If you want something that looks new buy a new razor. I vote patina.

A huge +1!

IMO over-restoration is far to common on the straight community.
That blade has lived a long life filled with exciting events. Just think of the places it's been & the faces it shaved. Let it show

[life2short1971]

Yeah its been around a lot longer than me and will still be around when I am gone. I see these large wedges that are mirror finish and thats what why I cant decide which way to go.

[Munxcub]

I think I'm really coming around to patina. Only dealing with active rust and whatnot, but not worrying about bringing the whole thing back to a mirror finish.

Unless it's for someone else, or I just want to see what is hiding behind a really nasty exterior and see what I can do just for fun... heh

For this one I say patina.

[Blue58]

Will it shave any better with a mirror finish?? Probably not. Will it look like new with that mirror finish? Probably will... if you polish it up to a mirror finish what will be your thoughts when you pick it up to shave each day? Probably not much because it will look like new... What will your thoughts be when you pick up a razor that has patina but is otherwise well taken care of? You will look at it and wonder where has it been, wonder who has held it in their hands. It will make you think every time you use it about its long history.


+1 for the patina

[life2short1971]

Me too! Thanks Gentlemen your opinions were duly noted!
before and after I like!

[life2short1971]

Will it shave any better with a mirror finish?? Probably not. Will it look like new with that mirror finish? Probably will... if you polish it up to a mirror finish what will be your thoughts when you pick it up to shave each day? Probably not much because it will look like new... What will your thoughts be when you pick up a razor that has patina but is otherwise well taken care of? You will look at it and wonder where has it been, wonder who has held it in their hands. It will make you think every time you use it about its long history.


+1 for the patina

Thanks for different outlook. I hadn't looked at it that way.

[global_dev]

it's a beautiful razor regardless, but i think i enjoy the shiny stuff... however, i have seen some great looking ones that were shiny with some of the pitting left..

on second thought, i like the patina sometimes.. so hard to chose what i like. i must have them all!!

[Legion]

One thing you might want to consider is removing those scratches, maybe they are sanding marks? I don't mind patina but sanding scratches kill me. I guess it comes down to leaving the marks left by time and age (patina) and removing traces of recent history and restoration (rust, sanding scratches, hammer marks in pins, etc.)

[Greybeard]

One thing you might want to consider is removing those scratches, maybe they are sanding marks? I don't mind patina but sanding scratches kill me. I guess it comes down to leaving the marks left by time and age (patina) and removing traces of recent history and restoration (rust, sanding scratches, hammer marks in pins, etc.)

Exactly the way I feel. I leave the patina on blades that just need cleaning/honing and polish up any that need restoration work.

[life2short1971]

The scratches are not noticeable in normal lighting. They aren't from anything I've done and they blend in until direct sunlight. I need to remove the patina and sand it down to remove them. They are very faint, when the sun isn't hitting it you can't hardly see them.

[mdunn]

looks great with patina

[onimaru55]

Personally I would go the greaseless path & try to remove as much rust & pitting as feasible. You can then re-patina the blade yourself. As simple way is to use cold gun blue & rub back with metal polish when colour is dark enough for your liking. It is a less corrosive process than using vinegar or other acids.

[life2short1971]

Hadn't thought of that. Thank you on the bluing. After 2 days of honing I think I have her shave ready.I'll try her this weekend.

[onimaru55]

No problemo. G'luck.

[pz93c]

Looks great.

The only time I go shiny is when the blade has a crack or something requiring surgery.

Hang on to your original scales, if you can. They'd make a great template when you decide to go horn.

[life2short1971]

Well I shaved with her today and though I had some tugging on my 2 day growth it wasn't terrible. The closeness I received made up for it quite well. The smoothness I felt allowed me continue the shave without reaching for my Filly which was right there on the counter as a backup. Just a hair of tweaking and it'll be a top shaver in my collection.