It was time to buy and restore a second razor, after giving so much love to my XIX century Wade and Butcher.
I noticed a neglected auction on e-bay, with six vintage straight razors at a very low price.
Asked around for some advice and decided to go for it.
After some days of careful observation, I managed to place my bid at the last minute: 88 €, taxes and shipping included, for six razors in various states of health.
One of the pics on e-bay:
According to my research, they are:
Here's a pic of them on my dining room table.
So far I have restored, honed and shaved with two of them.
Friedrich Emde Kobar no.1
The Kobar no.1 still has some pitting left, but I couldn't take it all away even after using 300(ish) - 400 - 600 - 800 - 1000 - 1200 - 1500 - 2000 - 3000 sandpaper, followed by abrasive paste, Sidol and then toothpaste + old toothbrush.
Before (left), during the restoration - honing (middle) and after (right).
It's a great shaver, the scales are in great condition and the pitting -luckily- doesn't hamper the edge at all.
It's a hollow ground, singing razor, but it annihilates my tough stubble.
T.R. Cadman & Sons Bengall
This one cleaned up nicely, and it was a breeze to hone.
I usually don't strive for that shining mirror-polishing, especially on razors that are older than me (I'm 31, by the way).
Before (left), during the restoration - honing (middle), and after (right).
P.S. & Co The Acme
I still have to do a proper restoration on this one: so far I have just scrubbed it and sanded it down from 600 to 3000. Pics coming soon.
Fritz Bracht Tennis
The little one of the family, but the stencil is quite centered so I guess it's born small?
Pics coming soon.
Osborne, Garrett & Co. LTD Kropp
I was actually looking for a Kropp when I found this auction. Pics coming soon.
Giesen & Forsthoff Timor 150 Blue Steel
This one is a beauty, with its dark-blue finish on the spine, tang and tail.
I'm going to update this thread with the other four restorations.
In the meantime, here's my shaving rack with the full collection.
And these are the stones I'm currently using for the job: Naniwa 1000 - 3000, BBW + bout, belgian coticule + bout, NALS Princesa (italian slate) + bout.
I have recently ordered a cheap 600 - 1200 diamond sharpening stone, just to lap and clean the hones, and maybe to raise some slurry on the Princesa a little faster.
I noticed a neglected auction on e-bay, with six vintage straight razors at a very low price.
Asked around for some advice and decided to go for it.
After some days of careful observation, I managed to place my bid at the last minute: 88 €, taxes and shipping included, for six razors in various states of health.
One of the pics on e-bay:
According to my research, they are:
- Fritz Bracht Tennis (1940 - 1983, Solingen-Wald);
- Friedrich Emde Kobar no.1 (1902 - 1939, Solingen);
- Osborne, Garrett & Co. LTD Kropp (Sheffield);
- T.R. Cadman & Sons Bengall (Sheffield);
- Giesen & Forsthoff Timor 150 Blue Steel (Solingen)
- P.S. & Co The Acme (a Paul Seilheimer of Solingen used to make SS daggers, but this one was made and ground in England).
Here's a pic of them on my dining room table.
So far I have restored, honed and shaved with two of them.
Friedrich Emde Kobar no.1
The Kobar no.1 still has some pitting left, but I couldn't take it all away even after using 300(ish) - 400 - 600 - 800 - 1000 - 1200 - 1500 - 2000 - 3000 sandpaper, followed by abrasive paste, Sidol and then toothpaste + old toothbrush.
Before (left), during the restoration - honing (middle) and after (right).
It's a great shaver, the scales are in great condition and the pitting -luckily- doesn't hamper the edge at all.
It's a hollow ground, singing razor, but it annihilates my tough stubble.
T.R. Cadman & Sons Bengall
This one cleaned up nicely, and it was a breeze to hone.
I usually don't strive for that shining mirror-polishing, especially on razors that are older than me (I'm 31, by the way).
Before (left), during the restoration - honing (middle), and after (right).
P.S. & Co The Acme
I still have to do a proper restoration on this one: so far I have just scrubbed it and sanded it down from 600 to 3000. Pics coming soon.
Fritz Bracht Tennis
The little one of the family, but the stencil is quite centered so I guess it's born small?
Pics coming soon.
Osborne, Garrett & Co. LTD Kropp
I was actually looking for a Kropp when I found this auction. Pics coming soon.
Giesen & Forsthoff Timor 150 Blue Steel
This one is a beauty, with its dark-blue finish on the spine, tang and tail.
I'm going to update this thread with the other four restorations.
In the meantime, here's my shaving rack with the full collection.
And these are the stones I'm currently using for the job: Naniwa 1000 - 3000, BBW + bout, belgian coticule + bout, NALS Princesa (italian slate) + bout.
I have recently ordered a cheap 600 - 1200 diamond sharpening stone, just to lap and clean the hones, and maybe to raise some slurry on the Princesa a little faster.