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My $0.01 Challenge Razor

I bought this Clauss for a penny. Yep, $0.01. I came off a few nickels for S&H, but I still think the seller paid out-of-pocket in the exchange. (Before you label me a heartless internet marauder, I did feel bad for the seller for at least a few nanoseconds. :) )

The heavy hone wear, rusty pitting (including some on the edge), uneven bevel, warped edge and spine, and noticeable frown could lead some to say that I still overpaid. But, truth be told, I was really only eyeing the scales and had low expectations for the steel.

Upon arrival, though, the blade was surprisingly worse than predicted -- so much so that I was actually keyed up by the prospects of restoring it. Isn’t it odd how our brains work sometimes? If the list of defects was less extensive I would have had zero interest in refurbishing the razor. As it was, however, the blade was simply so ugly that I just couldn’t help but attempt restoration.

After hand sanding and a prolonged visit with the greaseless compounds, followed by exhaustive experimentation on my hones, the razor now provides excellent excellent shaves. It must be said, though, the warped blade was a complete PITA to sharpen! But persistence was rewarded. The razor is a few sizes smaller than I prefer, but it should now be good for another 100+ years. :)

Thanks for reading.

Brian
 

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After pictures
 

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More after pictures
 

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Kentos

B&B's Dr. Doolittle.
Staff member
Holy cow! Good job on the restoration, but that is one well loved razor! I would bet it's half of what it used to be.
 
Nice save - dunno that I'd try to take on that project but regardless - that's nice work there and I bet it shaves well too.
 
Very nice work! Would you be willing to share how began learning the process to resurrect razors from the dead?
Thanks. I was thinking about posting a "lessons learned" post. I'll work on that over the holiday break. Thanks again for the feedback.
 
Nice save, though I bet you spent 1,000x the cost of the razor on supplies to do the restoration work. :biggrin1:

You'd be entirely correct. :) I'm not sure I'd want to take on a razor this bad again anytime soon. But it took the project on as a challenge. I fully expected to spend 10,000X the cost of the razor. So at 1,000X, I saved a ton. :)
 

Slash McCoy

I freehand dog rockets
Well done! You ende up with a3/8 but that's okay. You had only junk before and now I bet you got a decent shaver and as others have pointed out, an education in restoration and the limits of what you can and can't salvage.
 
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