How saveable are these?

[Woodrobin]

These are three straight razors I inherited (belatedly) from my grandfather. Which is to say my father found them in a box he'd never sorted and let me know about them, knowing of my interested in all things shave-related. The first is, I think, only in need of a good honing. It's apparently a custom piece from a Kansas City blacksmithing company. The second and third are a Geneva Speciala and a Genco HeadBarber.

Unfortunately, while they survived decades with only rust damage, I managed to chip a piece off the end of one of the blades while trying to clean them (a careless moment and the edge of a sink, followed by hours of me muttering obscenities at myself).

In the cases of the Genco/Geneva razors, the sides showing have worse rust than the reverse side. The K.C. razor has no rust I can find. The brown bits turned out to be hair residue which, being my grandfather's, did my head in a bit. Sort of felt like I was walking on his grave for a moment.

Are the Genco/Geneva razors something that might be restored to shave-ready, or am I better off leaving them alone? Also, any suggestions for a restorer that handles heirlooms? I know some restorers prefer not to deal with family items like these.

The K.C. Grinding and Blacksmith Co. razor:

The Geneva Speciala:

and, shameful damage and all, the Genco HeadBarber:

 

[tattooer601]

Hey man,
I have worked with polishing different types of metal,removing rust and all that stuff.(see tattoo machine link)
I have no knowledge about straights at all to offer you, but
I can take something like that and restore it to where you can count you teeth in the reflection of the blade.
I would teach you how if need be, seeing they where you grandads....russell

 

[mkevenson]

#1 looks great. #2 needs some work. #3 trash bin or keep for posterity.

 

[Dpflaum]

1 is fantastic
2 needs the blade polished up and honed
3 I would keep the scales and dump the blade, or have it ground down to make a short razor and slap some new scales on. I love those scales though. They remind me of some 70s fake wood grain furniture. I'm good for them if you want to part with them

 

[ZethLent]

1. Looks like you can hone and use as is.

2. Looks like it is cracked along the edge, making it scrap.

3. Good for nice replacement scales. Blade is trash.

 

[Fnord5]

1: as said before, all it needs is a hone, and a face to shave.

2: if that is indeed a crack, not much more than a memento.

3: can be shortened, and rescaled, or superglue the broken bit back on, and display along with #2

 

[Luc]

1 is fantastic
2 needs the blade polished up and honed
3 i would keep the scales and dump the blade, or have it ground down to make a short razor and slap some new scales on. I love those scales though. They remind me of some 70s fake wood grain furniture. I'm good for them if you want to part with them

+1

 

[Hughies_online]

Those wooden scales are definite keepers. Or you could sell them in 2 seconds!

 

[mdunn]

1: as said before, all it needs is a hone, and a face to shave.

2: if that is indeed a crack, not much more than a memento.

3: can be shortened, and rescaled, or superglue the broken bit back on, and display along with #2

yes indeedy

 

[leighton]

I would not touch 2 or 3. Even if its not a crack, the rust is so pervasive, the edge is unlikely to be salvageable.

#1 is good to go though.

 

[DV8_JERM]

I would not touch 2 or 3. Even if its not a crack, the rust is so pervasive, the edge is unlikely to be salvageable.

#1 is good to go though.

I agree totaly.