How do you clean/make a straight nice and shiney?

[jrm]

Hi all,

I have to whipped dog straights that I absolutely love. They are great shavers both. However, they're a little grungy looking. They came with some tarnish and over time have build up some soapscales or something. Is there a wiki on cleaning, buffing, polishing a straight? I don't have a dremel or tools of that nature. Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks!

-jon

 

[Obiwan]

This should help. Just be careful around the edge.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...with-Restoration-Sticky-Redux!-*****Look-Here*****

 

[tomjr]

mothers mag & aluminum polish works great 4 me.

 

[Wid]

mothers mag & aluminum polish works great 4 me.

Same here Tom.

 

[jrm]

thanks for the pointers. Do you use mothers and just a terry cloth rag or something?

 

[Wid]

I use old terry cloth towels.

 

[VitosClassic]

I use with very fine steel wool...YMMV

 

[Obiwan]

For a light cleaning, I use maas. Most blades that come to my house get a progession from wet/dry paper through 2k then buffed.

 

[Marco]

I also use MAAS and like it. Another metal polisher I use and enjoy is Blue Magic. Anyone else uses this?

 

[ridnovir]

I also use MAAS and like it. Another metal polisher I use and enjoy is Blue Magic. Anyone else uses this?

I use Blue Magic too. Nice but smelly stuff. Also, be careful not to get it on any etching because it will remove that too.

 

[jrm]

Thanks guys. Fortunately, in this case, none of my blades have any etching or inlay, so I should be able to go at it with impunity

Followup question: Once I polish the metal (using MAAS, or Mothers, etc...) should I need to have the blade honed? The blades are in good shape now, and I suppose as long as I'm careful to stay away from the edge, I should be in good shape correct?

 

[mainaman]

I tried the Wa polishing powders from JNS with sand paper yesterday and works super nice. So far the best finish I have obtained hand sanding.

 

[noahpictures]

Thanks guys. Fortunately, in this case, none of my blades have any etching or inlay, so I should be able to go at it with impunity

Followup question: Once I polish the metal (using MAAS, or Mothers, etc...) should I need to have the blade honed? The blades are in good shape now, and I suppose as long as I'm careful to stay away from the edge, I should be in good shape correct?

You don't need to hone it, as long as you don't damage the edge while polishing the blade. I would strop the blade afterwards.

 

[Pete_T]

When you do it just stay far away from the edge. Put a small amount of polishing paste on the cloth, close the cloth around the spine so you're pinching it, and go up and down the length of the blade. You might miss the 1/4 to 1/2 inch behind the edge, but better that then having to rehone prematurely, and polishing paste will dull an edge easily. You can get the last part when it has to be honed anyway.

Also, another vote for Mothers. You can get it anywhere and it works great.

 

[Anonymous]

To be honest, I wouldn't try cleaning eaither of them unless you're prepared to re-hone them. I have a whippeddog myself that is covered with rust (except at the spine and edge of course) and it did me just fine. Now that the edge has finally died on it I am planning on restoring it; but I wouldn't do it before then as I think there is too great a risk that you will kill the edge in the process.

 

[mdunn]

To be honest, I wouldn't try cleaning eaither of them unless you're prepared to re-hone them. I have a whippeddog myself that is covered with rust (except at the spine and edge of course) and it did me just fine. Now that the edge has finally died on it I am planning on restoring it; but I wouldn't do it before then as I think there is too great a risk that you will kill the edge in the process.

This.

You can have the hands of a surgeon, but if you try and polish a shave ready razor you WILL screw up the edge.

You bought the whipped dog as an ugly but functional straight. That's what it is.

Go to eBay and buy one that you like the look of and can clean up as much as you like and then get it honed.

Feel free to PM me the links to any razors you like the look of if you want my opinion on how/if to clean them up, or if there are any red flags etc before buying.