Any straight shavers here?

[ghostrider]

Originally Posted by Fortunate_Son

It's likely a late 1800's razor with horn scales (handles).

These are well regarded when they're found in good condition, and can be candidates for regrinding as well since they originally have a pretty beefy blade profile. I have a number of older heavy blade Sheffield razors and they're nice shavers with a good balance in the hand and an ability to mow through tough chin whiskers easier than some others.

Is there any staining/corrosion on the blade, or damage to the scales?

The handle looks kind of like plastic, but I know it's too old for that. Would the horn become semi-translucent over time? There is some corrosion on the blade, but it is still pretty sharp. I'm not about to test it on my face or anything, but i would be willing to say that someone who knew what they were doing could probably get the blade back into usable shape. I'm unable to upload pictures for a while on here, sorry.

I'm not looking to get rid of it, as it's a family heirloom, but it would be nice to know a bit of it's history. It might be pretty nice to be able to use it if I can get it back into shape. I used to do some civil war reenacting, and briefly looked at using one. That was way before the internet, and i couldn't really find much info on them and how to get started.

[Iacchus]

try this link

[sacmore21]

I don't use a straight razor. Although, for the last year and a half, I've used a double-edge safety razor. That was the slope I was on before I landed on this slide

[ghostrider]

Originally Posted by Iacchus

try this link

Thanks for the link. I haven't found any that look quite like the one I have, but some good info there. The blade on mine doesn't look as long as most of the ones pictured. Any ideas if it's restorable, and what would be involved?

[Iacchus]

Originally Posted by ghostrider

Thanks for the link. I haven't found any that look quite like the one I have, but some good info there. The blade on mine doesn't look as long as most of the ones pictured. Any ideas if it's restorable, and what would be involved?

without seeng a pic of yours, I couldn't be sure.
Cracks are the worst damage. To bet a crack out of one, quite a bit of metal must be removed. Some regrinds come out really well though. I have a blade that had been cracked and reground into a much shorter blade; it is one of my favorite shavers.
If the pitting isn't too bad. and it hasn't been honed as to deform the blade profile, it could well be very restored fairly cheaply.
There is a cat on the board I linked to by the name of Joe Chandler. He makes and restores blades at great prices. I have had good dealings w/ him, so you might try that.
If you are handy with such stuff, you could breathe quite a bit of life into it yourself, but I would send it off to someone for a sharpen job unless you have honed straights before. In your position, I would not want to learn on such an heirloom. Otherwise it is just taking pins out and putting a new set in when your finished. Taking some fitz metal polish and a cloth [avoid the dremel]. Some really light sandpaper maybe around where the pins were on the shank.
It's not a bad job, really.

Great find, btw. It is a nice heirloom to have. Those are good razors, with a respected name.

[Fortunate_Son]

Originally Posted by ghostrider

The handle looks kind of like plastic, but I know it's too old for that. Would the horn become semi-translucent over time? There is some corrosion on the blade, but it is still pretty sharp. I'm not about to test it on my face or anything, but i would be willing to say that someone who knew what they were doing could probably get the blade back into usable shape. I'm unable to upload pictures for a while on here, sorry.

I'm not looking to get rid of it, as it's a family heirloom, but it would be nice to know a bit of it's history. It might be pretty nice to be able to use it if I can get it back into shape. I used to do some civil war reenacting, and briefly looked at using one. That was way before the internet, and i couldn't really find much info on them and how to get started.

Horn can be semi translucent.

It's hard to say how restorable it is w/o seeing a pic, but if there are no cracks, significant chips, or deep pitting on the blade and no major hone wear on the spine it would probably be a good candidate for refurbishment.

Joe Chandler, as mentioned in another post, is my go-to guy for any work like that. He's a great guy and does beautiful work.

[JordanWexler]

Gillette Fusion w/ The Art of Shaving system = amazing shave every time.

[sanfrantreat]

i have one but haven't started to .. just no time to learn ..

[Lynchmeister]

I made the switch to a Merkur Classic Double Edge safety razor 2 years ago after I stumbled upon these guys. www.badgerandblade.com

I've been lovin' every minute of it and haven't looked back at the overpriced, gabillion bladed cartridges, irritation, and most importantly, the lack of fun.

If my cigar collection (by the way, it was the new wetshaving hobby and the gents on the board that turned me onto cigars) were on par with my cream/soap/aftershave collection, well...I'd be bombing the hell out of each and every one of you...it's a sickness.

[Puffin Fresh]

I'm straight and I shave.

[Ricmcam]

I've got an old adjustable razor that I have not used in 40 years, I love the brushes but never knew much about either till reading this thread. I think I'm gonna try making a change so shaving is a bit more interesting rather than a chore, plus I own a antique store and get this stuff filtering through all the time. Thanks for the thread!

[uncballzer]

Picked up a stainless steel single blade safety razor, and a badger hair brush and love them. Shaving is now my favorite part of the morning "ritual." It's nicked most those razor bumps to nilch.

[JonW]

I wetshave with a 1967 Fatboy.(along with TOBS shave creams)

[Ricmcam]

As if this cigar slope were not steep enough, you just had to point me in the direction of another one. I've been reading a bunch of stuff about straight razors since this thread started and am about to pull the trigger on a new razor, brush, and stop. Please, someone hold me back!