My First Restoration - advice and can anyone help me date this?

[cfikevin]

I got so inspired by this site that I decided to try a restoration myself. Got a lot of 3 nasty looking razors from eBay for 30 bucks, and started with the nastiest of the lot, thinking that I would probably ruin it anyway being my first time.

Eventually, I got enough crap off to read the engraving: "SHEAF WORKS SHEFFIELD". Got a little excited that I might have some real quality steel here, but the corrosion was so bad I still had doubts this could be made shave ready.

A number of hours later (the number is around 6 altogether I guess), this razor is treetopping my arm hairs and passing HHT at maybe 4. I have never been able to get my Dovo this sharp!

The corrosion is still evident, but the bevel is clean the entire length, and I look forward to shaving with it. I appreciate all the knowledge from the group here, and the motivation for doing this!

Question: My research suggests that this is a William Greaves & Sons, but the name is not there. Only "Sheaf Works Sheffield". Wondering (hoping) this might be a very early model, perhaps before he started adding his name to the engraving or something like that.

Another question: Would you advise further trying to get the corrosion and pits out, given the bevel is clean? I did not want to take too much metal off and risk ruining it unnecessarily.

thanks!
Kevin

 

[Biltong & Boerewors]

Sorry no info on the blades, but I really like the first two choppers.

As far as the question about how far to go with removing marks - It's entirely up to you and you should do what makes you happy. As long as you take care of them, it's not going to get worse, all the rust is gone. It looks like they have plenty of metal to play with, but you are right, it's a risk. I personally don't mind if it's not perfect, as long as the shave is good.