W. H. Sample & Sons

**A35335** · 11-22-2005, 04:51 PM

Just got handed a razor (for my birthday!) a few minutes ago................

marked W. H. Sample & Sons, Capitol Razor, Albany, NY

Box is similar, and has Germany on it, too.

Razor looks to be in decent shape, nice patina, no nicks, needs some honing.

What do I have?

Thanks.

Rich

**rtaylor61** · 11-22-2005, 04:59 PM

Rich,

Can you post some pics?

Randy

**A35335** · 11-22-2005, 06:03 PM

Here's a link to some pics I just took.

Thanks for the help.

Rich

http://ImageEvent.com/richinva/whsample

**Rik** · 11-22-2005, 06:46 PM

Greetings Rich,

It looks like a winner to me. Is this your first str8?

**roughrider** · 11-22-2005, 09:14 PM

Happy birthday and nice razor.

**Rik** · 11-22-2005, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by roughrider

Happy birthday and nice razor.

Nice catch RR. Happy Birthday Rich!

Welcome to B&B. I hope you frequent often. We've got a great group of guys here.

**rtaylor61** · 11-22-2005, 09:32 PM

Looks like you have some cleaning to do. Start out with warm soapy water and an old "soft" toothbrush. At Wal Mart, you can pick up some MAAS, located on the "cleaning" row. It comes in a tube. Check out the Str8 Razor Restoration File:

http://homepage.mac.com/briandonofri...Sharing87.html

Ask any questions you may have!

Randy

**A35335** · 11-23-2005, 05:09 AM

Yes, first straight razor. Had it on the gold stone this morning, I believe this is going to be a good one.

Now gotta get a good strop. What are your suggestions?

Thanks,

Rich

**Laz in Tampa** · 11-23-2005, 07:58 AM

For a strop, try www.thewellshavedgentleman.com www.handamerican.com or www.classicshaving.com

Whatever strop you buy, PLEASE practice with a butter knife first. Pretty much all of us have nicked a brand new strop when we first started out. Get the "feel" of stropping before you put that sharp razor to it.......

**rtaylor61** · 11-23-2005, 07:59 AM

Rich,

Our very own Tony Miller offers some incredible strops. I have one of his 4 sided paddle strops and a hanging strop. Great prices, first class customer service, and "he is a member". Never mind, that was the hair club thing!

http://www.thewellshavedgentleman.com/

Checking with Tony will give you the opportunity of not only buying great merchandise, but it is handcrafted by someone who actually uses a straight razor.

Best of luck!

Randy

**roughrider** · 11-23-2005, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Rich,

Our very own Tony Miller offers some incredible strops. I have one of his 4 sided paddle strops and a hanging strop. Great prices, first class customer service, and "he is a member". Never mind, that was the hair club thing!

http://www.thewellshavedgentleman.com/

Checking with Tony will give you the opportunity of not only buying great merchandise, but it is handcrafted by someone who actually uses a straight razor.

Best of luck!

Randy

I second that.

**A35335** · 11-23-2005, 03:42 PM

OK, Tony it is.............

May also try that 5/8 razor he has on there.

So, 4-sided strop or the hanging one? The hanging one certainly looks more "traditional", altho' I am used to using a paddle strop while doing knives.

Thanks for all of your help, this looks like a great place to spend some more money.............. :)

Rich

**Laz in Tampa** · 11-23-2005, 10:56 PM

My recomendation is for a beginner to use a paddle strop. It is easier to use, you don't have to worry about sagging and cupping leather with it.

**rtaylor61** · 11-23-2005, 10:59 PM

My recomendation is for a beginner to use a paddle strop. It is easier to use, you don't have to worry about sagging and cupping leather with it.

What Laz says. I started with a paddle strop weeks ago, and just barely used a hanging strop for the first time. Practice with that butter knife, even with the paddle strop. I didn't think to do this and I put a few very minor nicks in my paddle strop, luckily I have been able to sand them out. What you learn from the paddle strop will transfer right over to the hanging strop.

Randy

**TENroaches** · 03-02-2008, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Looks like you have some cleaning to do. Start out with warm soapy water and an old "soft" toothbrush. At Wal Mart, you can pick up some MAAS, located on the "cleaning" row. It comes in a tube. Check out the Str8 Razor Restoration File:

http://homepage.mac.com/briandonofri...Sharing87.html

Ask any questions you may have!

Randy

Any idea if this file is available anywhere else, since this is dead? Sounds interesting.