Cleaning silver open comb razors; Diamonds in the rough

[RaiserLiebe]

Hello,

I wanted to share a cleanup process for silver razors that went well. None of these ideas are my own; I have the Brothers and Sisters at BOTOC and elsewhere here at B&B to thank for their generous guidance.

I bought a New Standard ($65) which was mechanically sound, but heavily tarnished.


I also bought two Tuckaways in shabby shape ($34 for both). One was in good shape cosmetically, but missing a tooth and the box. The other had a comb piece in good shape, but the handle was cracked badly and brassed, and the box was pitted and black with tarnish. When they came in the post I was kind of kicking myself! Here is the box from the second of the two:


I cleaned all in hot soapy water, scrubbed away surface grime with toothbrush. Then soaked in scrubbing bubbles and scrubbed again. Then disinfected with Barbicide 5-10 minute soak.

Then I did the baking soda and aluminum foil baths 3 times. Boy does THAT ever work great.
(see http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...ingle-Ring-Cleaning-(Picture-Heavy)?highlight= and http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...ck-Photo-Tutorial-for-Restoring-Silver-Razors for details and photos).


Then polished with Maas and soft toothbrush. I polished the caps with Maas and newspaper, that helped remove surface scratches quite well.

The results? Baby these are some great looking antiques. I plan on using them, not just for display!



Again, thanks to all the knowledgeable and helpful people here! You guys are the best!

Cheers!

 

[LiveOak]

Great job! Cleaning tarnished razors is one of the most satisfying and "WOW" improvements you can do.

 

[Intrigued]

Looks great! Nice job on the clean up.

It's fun to watch those badly tarnished silver plates come back to life isn't it?

 

[JRD]

Those look great! Half the fun is bringing these old razors back to life. The other half is using them to shave with.

 

[RaiserLiebe]

It's fun to watch those badly tarnished silver plates come back to life isn't it?

It was either you or April (on the BOTOC thread), I think, who said (paraphrasing) that they get excited when they see a black razor (because others will under-value it, and because they know that lovely silver lies beneath)!
Cheers!

 

[tootootni]

The difference is amazing. Nice before and after, thanks.
David

 

[ERVARGASNY]

Awesome clean up job for sure, Nice work, gotta love it )

 

[Intrigued]

It was either you or April (on the BOTOC thread), I think, who said (paraphrasing) that they get excited when they see a black razor (because others will under-value it, and because they know that lovely silver lies beneath)!
Cheers!

If it was in the BOTOC thread it was probably April. Usually if I'm buying for my collection, I shoot for fairly minty pieces. But once in a while I buy one with something else in mind. Here is one that I bought for about $5 or $6 dollars last year because I felt sorry for it and as project to see just how well I could restore it.

Pity Purchase:

Before






After




It was a lot of fun and satisfying to bring it back to life. Who knows, maybe some day I'll try and do a full restore on the case.

 

[Rschan]

Nice job Guys

 

[celestino]

Great work and they look beautiful.

 

[BBrad]

Very nice rescue job! You will probably find the New Standard making its way to the top of your favorite razor list . . . IMHO Gillette's best open-comb design!

 

[ackvil]

Impressive work, gentlemen.

 

[natchez]

Very nicely done! The only change in process I would suggest is to skip the Barbicide until after you have removed the tarnish and are preparing to use.

 

[RaiserLiebe]

Very nice rescue job! You will probably find the New Standard making its way to the top of your favorite razor list . . . IMHO Gillette's best open-comb design!

I have heard praise before, hence the purchase. Some like it better than the New!

I find it is a little less forgiving than my long-comb New. With the New Standard, I have to be very conscious to keep a shallow angle, and use a light touch. My first few shaves (other than some minor nicks which I might get with any DE), the ATG pass can leave my right cheek and neck feeling "scraped" (minor burn, easily quenched with balm). BUT the New Standard is WAY efficient. I shaved yesterday around 1 pm and did not have enough whiskers at 7am today to shave before work. Wow!

...and yes, the looks alone ensure it a place in the rotation!

Cheers!