I am visiting my parents in Florida right now, and my usual routine while here is to make the rounds of the many antique shops located in Pinellas county. While on my jaunt yesterday, I found a shop that had several booths with razors, both safety and straight. In the back, down on the bottom of an open case was a box of razors. I looked at a few on the top - the blades were not dinged and scales were not broken. Most of them were in boxes. They had price tags ranging from $5 to $25.
I mentioned to the guy working the store that I was thinking about restoring straights, and that I was tempted to buy a couple of the razors. He then offered me the entire lot for $50.
SOLD!!
After supper last night I took them out to see exactly what I bought. 23 razors in all, 16 of them look to be fairly easy to polish and hone to usable condition. Of the remaining seven, three have chipped blades, one has broken scales, and three have heavy rust on the blades.
I made a list, and now must research the names to see what I've done to myself, since I have no experience with straights. There is one Wade & Butcher, a couple from Sheffield, one from Soligen, a couple more that just say Germany. There is one marked "The Palmer" from Chicago, and at least two that came from Worcester.
I want to give them an initial cleaning, and wonder if my safety razor methods and techniques are ok for straights? (Very hot water, dish soap, soak, ultrasonic cleaner, Scrubbing Bubbles.)
Any advice, assistance, encouragement, or enabling is appreciated!!
I mentioned to the guy working the store that I was thinking about restoring straights, and that I was tempted to buy a couple of the razors. He then offered me the entire lot for $50.
SOLD!!
After supper last night I took them out to see exactly what I bought. 23 razors in all, 16 of them look to be fairly easy to polish and hone to usable condition. Of the remaining seven, three have chipped blades, one has broken scales, and three have heavy rust on the blades.
I made a list, and now must research the names to see what I've done to myself, since I have no experience with straights. There is one Wade & Butcher, a couple from Sheffield, one from Soligen, a couple more that just say Germany. There is one marked "The Palmer" from Chicago, and at least two that came from Worcester.
I want to give them an initial cleaning, and wonder if my safety razor methods and techniques are ok for straights? (Very hot water, dish soap, soak, ultrasonic cleaner, Scrubbing Bubbles.)
Any advice, assistance, encouragement, or enabling is appreciated!!
