Any of these worth restoring?

[eyesofgrey]

I have 5 straight razors that I got in a lot of shaving stuff.
I'd like to take one of these razors and get it honed to use it.
Any of these good candidates for a smooth, enjoyable shave?

Top is from Molley Mfg.
Next is a Midge from J.M. Garrett
3rd says Geneva Cutlery Co.
4th is a J.A. Henckels Platinum
5th is a Genco De Roma

All seem to be in good shape with no nicks or chips. I know a lot about knives, nothing about razors.
Thanks!

 

[Wid]

They all look good from the pics.

 

[Krodor]

what you have there look like several "hone-n-go" examples to me. Diggin' the scales/bolsters on the bottom one.

 

[tomjr]

yes

 

[noahpictures]

Yup.

 

[eyesofgrey]

Great!
Is there any one, that you would put above the others in terms of potential enjoyment, usability, smoothness, etc.?

 

[Krodor]

Great!
Is there any one, that you would put above the others in terms of potential enjoyment, usability, smoothness, etc.?

Enjoyment? Personal thing, up to you.

Usability? All useable, from what I can tell in the pic. Maybe some close ups?

Smoothness? I think based on the razors there all able to hold an edge, that the smoothness is gonna be heavily dependent on user and hone-job. At this stage, so much will be dependent on you, that you'll never know the difference. I guess I'd skip the top one for now, since it isn't "run of the mill".

Typically the ones that are easiest to learn with are round point, kinda mid-range hollow, about 5/8 or 6/8 inch edge-to-spine, and have jimps on the tang (jimps are little ridges along the top and/or bottom of the tang to improve grip).

 

[noahpictures]

Great!
Is there any one, that you would put above the others in terms of potential enjoyment, usability, smoothness, etc.?

Genco, Henckels Plat., and Geneva are excellent.

 

[robellison01]

That top one looks like a "rattler" grind, sometimes also referred to as a faux frameback. They are thick, heavy, and stiff. If you're just starting off, I suggest starting with one of the hollow ground razors, and considering this one as an advanced razor. Not that they aren't good shavers, but because they don't flex at all, and are unforgiving. The heavy grinds can be amazing shavers, but they have a tendency to take their share of blood if you are learning to shave with a straight. That has been my personal experience, and as all things shaving, your mileage may vary.

 

[eyesofgrey]

Genco, Henckels Plat., and Geneva are excellent.

Thank you Noah.

 

[eyesofgrey]

Enjoyment? Personal thing, up to you.

Usability? All useable, from what I can tell in the pic. Maybe some close ups?

Smoothness? I think based on the razors there all able to hold an edge, that the smoothness is gonna be heavily dependent on user and hone-job. At this stage, so much will be dependent on you, that you'll never know the difference. I guess I'd skip the top one for now, since it isn't "run of the mill".

Typically the ones that are easiest to learn with are round point, kinda mid-range hollow, about 5/8 or 6/8 inch edge-to-spine, and have jimps on the tang (jimps are little ridges along the top and/or bottom of the tang to improve grip).

Thank you, Krodor.

 

[lukam]

All can be amazing shavers. I'd start with any of the hollow ones, but my guess is that the first one you'll like the most when you master it. Good luck and many good shaves!

 

[VitosClassic]

Agree with all the above...they are all certainly canidates to make shavers out of. As far as restoration, that is a personal choice but I would just clean them up, hone them and enjoy them. It is almost impossible to say which one or ones may be the best shavers...sometimes they will totally surprise you! Good luck with them, it is a good looking lot of razors!

 

[Doc226]

From the pics, it looks like patina, no rust that I can see. They should be good.

 

[eyesofgrey]

I really appreciate the comments.
I think that I am going to go with the bottom 2 & BST or EBay the others.

 

[eyesofgrey]

They are the Henckels and the Genco.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I really appreciate the comments.
I think that I am going to go with the bottom 2 & BST or EBay the others.

I would hold off on that. Once you start learning to hone, you may want to hone more.

 

[lindyhop66]

If I were you, I'd keep them all. All look good. The Geneva, Genco an Henckels are well-known and well-loved. Full hollows are easier to hone, but you would be sending your first razor out to be honed, so the any of the would be a good one to start with.

I think the opposite of what robellison01 said is true about thicker grinds or wedges versus hollows. Wedges/thicker grinds are much more forgiving than hollows, even for beginners. I can't seem to nick myself with a wedge, but do so with full hollows, easily. The lighter, the thinner, the more flexible, the more nimble the less forgiving.

With that said, I still prefer full hollow straights.