Hi all I'm fairly new to straight razor shaving and just picked up a T. Noonan Black Demon problem is it isn't in the best of conditions. So my question is and since I do really like this razor is it worth restoring or should I just try and find the same razor in better condition which so far has been a dead end road any insight on what to do or where I might find another Black Demon would be greatly appreciated.
Need restoration advice
- Thread starter Mr Goodkat
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If you like it then restore it. It is not hard, start wtih 180 grit sandpaper and progress to 2000, make sure the scratches from the previous grit are gone before mobing on.
I do want to warn you though, there is significant hone wear along the spine specially in the toe, the bevel is ridding up the stabilizer in the heal area as well.
You dont show the scales but are they useable?
I do want to warn you though, there is significant hone wear along the spine specially in the toe, the bevel is ridding up the stabilizer in the heal area as well.
You dont show the scales but are they useable?
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Yes the scales are in good condition no cracks no warping. Thanks for the advice on cleaning it up but I think I'm gonna use one of the professionals on this site I'd hate to ruin this one. Iv got a red injun with a couple tiny chips in the blade (ebay buy gone wrong) that will probably be my first attempt at a restore don't think I can make it any worse.
Is this model , the "black demon" for some reason worthwhile to you? Ive never seen one before. I think restoring it would be nice, but expensive. Dont know the current rates, but i imagine expensive.
Unless that razor holds special value to you, IMO, it would not be worth sending out for restoration. A restoration could go from 25 to 75 (assuming scales are good), and honing add another 10 to 20.
I think it would be a great razor to learn honing. Just give it the sanding progression out lined above and go to the hones.
If you want to learn to shave with a straight razor, purchase a shave ready razor off the BST, from whippeddog.com, or one of our fine hobbyist.
I think it would be a great razor to learn honing. Just give it the sanding progression out lined above and go to the hones.
If you want to learn to shave with a straight razor, purchase a shave ready razor off the BST, from whippeddog.com, or one of our fine hobbyist.
For your Black Demon, if you want to clean it up, I'd second Doc's advice and run a sanding progression on it to remove the tarnishing, have it honed and call it a day. It doesn't appear that you have any active rust going on, so you might skip the sanding, have it honed and leave the patina intact. I don't think I'd recommend a full blown restoration on it though. Full blown restorations can cost upwards of $100 depending on what's needed and you may well end up spending $100+ on what comes out as a $40 razor. If you've got a sentimental attachment to it, then have it restored if you want. Otherwise, I wouldn't restore it.
As for your Red Injun...that's a Boker and those are nice razors. Edge chips are quite a large concern. They can rate anywhere from a simple honing out on a low grit stone (chips that don't exceed the bevel width) to a complete edge reprofile (chips that do exceed the bevel width). Both chips are tiny by sight, but are a world of difference when it comes to repair. The sizes aren't often apparent in eBay photos, so you'll have to see when you get it.
Now, I'm going to repeat the company line here. In order to get you up and shaving with a good razor, I'll recommend you visit whippeddog.com and pick up a sight unseen kit. He might even have a Black Demon in his razor herd that he can single out for you. Send Larry an email and see. Best case scenario, you get a good Black Demon that's shave ready; worst case, you get a shave ready razor that's every bit as good.
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Checked out his site still waiting on an email back from him. I thank you for the info
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No luck on finding a Black Demon through Larry though great advice real nice guy very helpful.
25 to 75?!?!?! Are you sending your razors out to be restored in a third world country? I want in!
While there are some guys who will do a "restoration" of sorts for that price, the kind of restoration you see in the bragging threads on this board typically cost around 150 bucks and my understanding is that is only if you aren't asking for new custom scales. I've cleaned up, by now, somewhere around 100 razors and never once gotten any of them to the showroom quality level that Daflorc, Undream, Mycarver etc get the razors they do for customers. Not even close. What I learned, however, was that there's no substituting hand sanding and polishing for making a blade look good and this takes hours of work and that's why it costs what it does. It's also why any restore you pay to have done should be on a razor that is worth it to you. Typically, these are either family heirlooms, gifts to treasured friends or very rare and valuable razors.
+1 (however $150 is spot on for a full restore - WITH custom scales for some of us - so long as the material costs aren't super expensive)
Most razors that you come across in the wild don't rate a full on restoration in financial terms. A rare, heavy grind or very old (think 1800s era) razor may let you come out ahead when you go to sell it...those seem to be the ones that get the big bucks. But that black scaled, rusty 5/8 full hollow odd brand that you picked up at the antiques place for $10, probably not so much unless you do all the labor yourself (and do it right). If you're in that category, then you already know which razors will bring the green.
In terms of sentiment, such as family heirloom, then the financial aspect of it becomes less important. In that case, if you can afford it and want to do it, then do so without regret.
In terms of sentiment, such as family heirloom, then the financial aspect of it becomes less important. In that case, if you can afford it and want to do it, then do so without regret.
+1 on that. The easiest fix is to buy some ready made plastic scales off ebay for $20 bucks and peen your razor in it yourself. Cheap and relatively easy.
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