New Straight Razors for a Newbie

[bprendie]

I recently picked up a couple of straight razors while I was at a farmer's market in Pennsylvania the other week. I'm not certain if either of these are actually valuable, but as someone who lives in Massachusetts, seeing Worcester and Boston stamped into the blade made these irresistible to me. The blades say "JR Torrey" and "New England Razor Co." respectively.

I'm thinking about sending them out to be professionally restored.


This one says "The Celebrated" Hollow ground razor on it.

This one says "New England Razor. English Steel. Boston."

If anyone has any insights as to quality or age of these guys, I'd greatly appreciate it.

~Bob

 

[Doc226]

Both very nice razors. Not much to be "restored" there. You can clean up the blade by picking up some Mothers from an auto part store and using an old t-shirt get the blades pretty clean.

Send them out to get honed and enjoy

 

[gash]

They look like they're in good shape. Torrey is a well-respected brand. The New England Razor Company one looks like it may have moderate hone-wear toward the toe, but nothing too severe. Have fun with them.

 

[Seraphim]

Two nice scores!

 

[Dm489]

Great find! I just picked up a J.R. Torrey as well.

I picked up some sand paper at auto zone and went to town. I started with a low grit and went to super fine- did both wet and dry sanding. But it looks like you could start at a 600 or so and work up to 3000 for a great shine.

Im still new to restoring straight razors, but I've done my fair share of making dull things shiny.

 

[wherndon]

^ none of the above welcomed you to the forum, so I will.
Welcome aboard, you too Dm489.

Nice blades, I too have a JR that I am very proud of.
Bil

 

[bprendie]

^ none of the above welcomed you to the forum, so I will.
Welcome aboard, you too Dm489.

Nice blades, I too have a JR that I am very proud of.
Bil

Thanks for the warm welcome! I've frequented many a forum in my day, and I have to say I'm really impressed with how friendly and knowledgeable everyone has been!

~Bob

 

[wherndon]

I'm fairly new myself, this is a great place. Your razors look in pretty good shape, and I bet one of the members would probably hone them, just for the cost of shipping. Get yourself a strop and some shave soap, and you are good to go.
regards,
Bil

 

[bprendie]

Thanks Bil - welcome to you as well then!

If anyone would be willing to do the honing for me, please contact me via PM. I'd very much be interested in having someone touch them up. I have a strop, but I really don't want to accidentally damage them by honing them incorrectly. I've been loving my DE Merkur, but I picked these up thinking that I'd like to try a straight razor too.

Thanks!

 

[Krodor]

PM'ed him, I'll get him taken care of.

Now....films or naturals.....hmm.....maybe one of each!

coti or SB Arkie....hmm....

 

[otto76]

PM'ed him, I'll get him taken care of.

Now....films or naturals.....hmm.....maybe one of each!

coti or SB Arkie....hmm....

Very nice Krodor.

Good looking razors! I just put a Torrey in my rotation recently, it's a nice shaver.

 

[goatee]

welcome to your new addiction!!!!

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

Krodor put the edge on my Opa's Boker for me, several times, in fact. Just tonight I shaved with it after a little hiatus, and it was close, smooth and irritation free. You'll be well on your way to some comfy shaves with those nice razors and a good edge. Congratulations!

 

[Chreees]

First off, welcome to the forum!

Those are two very nice blades. Enjoy them!