Company to restore straight razors

lizardman_u

lizardman_u

Joined
Nov 28, 1999
Messages
1,710
I have my grandfather's straight razors and would like to have them restored so I can shave with them. I have a razor hone and a strop so all I need is to sharpen (and maybe clean up) the razors, get a shaving brush and shaving soap.

The razors are a Clauss with black 'bakelite' scales(without box) made in Fremont, OH and a Union Cutlery with yellowish translucent scales (with box) made in Olean, NY. These have a little patina on the blade and probably could be sharpenned.

Or would I be better off putting these two away and just buying a razor to use?

Dave
 
Contact billysblades.com
Bill sells a CD with complete instructions on restoring old razors.
 
the clauss is a common german inexpensive import but the union culery could have considerable collector value. i would suggest you purchase a newer lowcost straight, you may find your initial enthusiam dampered by the many learning cuts.--dennis
 
The first link is to a series of videos that involves every aspect of restoring
a straight razor. You may not have to go through all the steps e.g.
re-scaling(handle replacement), maybe only honing and stropping.

Straight_Razor_Restoration_Start_to_Finish_Video_Series

and

Frequently_Asked_Questions

Don't be put off by the idea of a 1,000 cuts learning curve.
It won't happen! At most maybe a nick or two,
which don't really hurt anyway - styptic pencil stings more!

Look at the videos available, and follow the advice of:
1) Stretch the skin. 2) No pressure. 3) Wipe the face with the razor.

The angle you use depends on several things, e.g. grind (hollow, straight),
with-the-grain, against-the-grain etc, and your personal preference.

There is a real satisfaction (silly macho pride perhaps :D ) in shaving
with a straight razor, and long term it is the cheapest way to shave too.

Enjoy your grandfathers razors - I'm sure he'd want you to.
 
Thanks all for the replies. I am thinking real hard about buying a razor to shave with, but would still like the little bit of patina taken off of the union cutlery razor as it just needs the blade polished and sharpenned. The Clauss I notices last night has a crack about an inch from the tip going from the edge up toward the spine about 3/4 of an inch so it would need a new blade before being able to use. I would still like to have a reputable company do the restoration on these blades even if I only display them.

Dave
 
"Nerdman" is who I would recommend if you don't end up going with somebody from bladeforums. You can see his work all over badger and blade and the price is right...
 
straightrazor.jpg


straightrazor2.jpg


here the Union Cutlery razor is after I took a rouge cloth to it and honed the blade on an antique "Zenith" razor hone.

I got most of the blade polished but managed to burn it a little when I tried the dremel tool.

Dave
 
kg4ghn said:
That's a good looking straight!
Click to expand...

Thank you, and it only took me a couple hours with the rouge cloth to polish the steel and that took out most of the defects in the blade. I used that razor hone on it as well and it is definately waiting for me to lather up my face this weekend.

Dave
 
Just think that honing a straight is different than sharpening a knife. With a straight you need sharp AND smooth as opposed to just sharp with a knife. Also with a straight you lay the blade flat on the hone instead of keeping it at an angle like a knife.

I always suggest that noobs have their first straight honed by somebody that knows what they are doing just so they can take that variable out of the equation. A lot of times, even with a pro-honed blade noobs will complain that the razor isn't sharp because it pulls and tugs when it is actually their lack of technique not the sharpness of the blade.

At any rate, let us know how it goes, some people do get lucky and get it all right the first time. But if it doesn't go well, keep trying it does get easier and easier as you do it.
 
Check out theperfectedge.com
This man sharpens razors to 30000 grit! Yes, 30,000.
He sharpened a straight razor for me that was my grandfathers which i thought was ruined.
 
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