Care and preservation of vintage sets

[Mark1966]

As many of you would know I have a few vintage razors, these pics are a bit dated now but give you an idea.

I feel more like a custodian of these for future generations so want to preserve these sets as best as I can.

Some tricks I've picked up over my time collecting, like:

• keeping the case lids closed to preserve springs;
• storing paper material in acid free wrapping;
• wrapping the soap within the old canisters in cling wrap to stop further deterioration and damage to the canister.

Other issues I still have questions about - like the traveller style cases that crack at the rear 'hinge' part of the leather. How do you minimise this?

I can't think of any other questions I have right now but do other collectors have any tricks they want to share?

 

[elmerwood]

Good thread Mark I think this thread will bring up a lot of good ideas for us to share and use. I've been looking into some gel silica packs to hide in my cases to help keep any moisture out and help preserve the razors and cases. I leave most of my traveler sets closed with the exception of one or two. Here is a little pick of a sample gel pack.

 

[Ace McCool]

Good idea for a thread. I have all my razors on glass shelves so I use the wall behind to rest the tops of the open cases on for any that are weak. I think a big thing is setting them up for display and leaving them. Any of my traveler sets that have a crack in the leather hinge, I added a strip of black tape accross just to add some strength. Most case damage is caused by use so if you display with the lid open then leave it like that.

The gel silica pack idea is probably a good one if you have a completely sealed case. As long as they sit stationary they should be preserved nicely.

 

[Mark1966]

The gel silica is a great idea. Where I live it is a very dry climate so it is not necessary but if I lived closer to the coast it would be essential.

As you can see from the pics I have mine on glass shelves in a display case with sliding glass front. Some dust can penetrate so it is not ideal but the best I can do at present.

I mentioned above that I tend to keep the sets closed. For the cases with springs I think that this reduces the tension on the spring. For the leather traveller sets again I think, but could be wrong, that having them opened puts stress/stretches the leather. I'd be very reluctant to put tape on any and impacting on the historical integrity of the set personally.

 

[wscottb7862]

What about your razors Mark, do you leave them fully tightened up or loosely closed? I've often wandered if left tightly closed that it might impact them in some negative way?

 

[Mark1966]

What about your razors Mark, do you leave them fully tightened up or loosely closed? I've often wandered if left tightly closed that it might impact them in some negative way?

Probably loosely closed. Not sure it would much too much difference as long as not over tightened.

Some do get a little stiff in the TTO mechanism if not used - which suggests to me there is still some gunk inside I've not removed yet.

 

[Jeff_H]

Mark, what about using some type of leather conditioner to help keep the leather of those Traveler cases hydrated and supple?

I know with some of my nice leather shoes, before I learned the value of regular maintenance, would crack at the creases caused by walking. Since I now regularly use saddle soap to clean, creme polish to hydrate and wax polish to protect my shoes + shoe trees to preserve the shape my investment in my AE shoes is greatly improved.

Perhaps a nice cream polish, neutral in color, would help a bit.

 

[Mark1966]

Mark, what about using some type of leather conditioner to help keep the leather of those Traveler cases hydrated and supple?

I know with some of my nice leather shoes, before I learned the value of regular maintenance, would crack at the creases caused by walking. Since I now regularly use saddle soap to clean, creme polish to hydrate and wax polish to protect my shoes + shoe trees to preserve the shape my investment in my AE shoes is greatly improved.

Perhaps a nice cream polish, neutral in color, would help a bit.

Yep, I've thought of this but have not gone too far down the path. There are a lot of rubbish products out there - I'd love to know of good production to to this will and how it will impact vintage leather.

 

[midniterambler]

Mark, what about using some type of leather conditioner to help keep the leather of those Traveler cases hydrated and supple?

I know with some of my nice leather shoes, before I learned the value of regular maintenance, would crack at the creases caused by walking. Since I now regularly use saddle soap to clean, creme polish to hydrate and wax polish to protect my shoes + shoe trees to preserve the shape my investment in my AE shoes is greatly improved.

Perhaps a nice cream polish, neutral in color, would help a bit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_Wax

 

[Copierguy]

This is a timely thread for many of these decisions lay before me. The few nice ones I have been lucky enough to come across came with paperwork and some also have shippers. We went window crazy when we built and as I walk through the house, any throw rug I flip over shows me what shade the hardwood floors used to be just a few years ago, so sun light will be a force to reckon with. My thought for display includes making color copies of the vintage instructions for display while stowing the perishable originals in some safe manner. This does not address any leather cases though. Maybe I should have stuck with uncased examples....lol

 

[shanman]

Uv window film. I keep the good stuff in shippers and cases in a conditioned environment and out of any sort of direct sunlight. My blades are in o-ring sealed plastic boxes with dessicant packs. Brushes in use are in a glass front case, the rest in their original boxes and tissue paper. Soap stays in original containers, lids are set on top at an angle to let the puck dry for a few hours before closing them back up. I have no fear letting the butterscotch catalin having a good little sunbathing session on the window sill from time to time.

 

[ERVARGASNY]

Great idea Mark. Well I would think to prevent or slow down the dry cracks that appear on the traveler cases, you can use some kind of Non staining Leather oil softner, like the ones used to soften and break in Baseball Gloves ? Or some kind of light Floor wax ? Just rub it in lightly every 6 Months or so.

What do you Think?

 

[72plymsatellite]

i have consedered what damage i have been doing to my leather cased cased or even my gift sets that are hinged by paper. i display everything in its open state because that is what i want people to see. the leather i have thought about the whole leather conditioner option but im not sure about the paper. there really isnt much i can do about it, i assume keeping them closed would be best but i cant bring myself to do it. what would you guys suggest?

great thread mark.

 

[Mark1966]

The joys of Google!

It seems that there are lots of resources of caring for collections. I'm currently trying to find time to care and digest some of the following resources:

reCollections from the Collections Australia Network.

Conserve o Grams from the Museum Management Program of the National Parks Service.

CCI Notes from the Canadian Conservation Institute

There are definitely some strong views about the best way to protect leather out there!

 

[DrAwkward]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_Wax

Renaissance Wax is truly amazing stuff, but I have never tried to use it on leather ...

 

[Mark1966]

Renaissance Wax is truly amazing stuff, but I have never tried to use it on leather ...

If you read some of the docs I've linked to there are some strong views about using any wax on leather.

 

[Mark1966]

As an aside I also do not buff any of my razors.

I'm happy to clean and lightly hand polish but avoid buffing.