The Not Quite Glorious But Definitely Not Awful Resurrection of the Grodiest Razor.

[_MementoMori_]

Some of you will remember the "Grodiest Razor I've Ever Seen" thread posted a few days ago. The titular razor was PIF'd to me by DonOhio out of an act of extreme cruelty. I have since soaked, scrubbed, poked, and prodded this razor back into some semblance of a Gillette Superspeed Flare Tip. DonOhio's only condition for receiving his "gift" was that I take before and after photos of the cleaning process. I present those photos to you gentlemen here this evening.

Let us begin with the before photos, shall we?

 

[_MementoMori_]

I present to you the after photos. I will be in the lobby after the viewing to sign autographs.

 

[TheBigL]

Very nice.

I've never had one that nasty, but I've also never gotten one that clean either!

 

[JPDyson]

Nicer razors have been pulled out of the bottom of an aquarium - yet now it's a very usable razor. Well done!

I had a box full of razors, some of which were quite gross, but nothing this bad.

 

[JaDo]

Excellent work! Thanks for sharing the pictures.

 

[Lando]

nice job there! have you shaved with it yet?

 

[_MementoMori_]

nice job there! have you shaved with it yet?

Nah. I already had a pretty nice Flare Tip, so I'm PIFing this to a childhood friend who wants to get into wetshaving. I was tempted to keep it after seeing how well it cleaned up, though...

 

[luvmysuper]

You're a magician sir!
Well done!

 

[nemo]

Great job, congratulations! What did you use to do the cleaning?

 

[_MementoMori_]

I heated a tea kettle full of water and removed it once it started whistling. I poured about 1-3/4" of water into a small tupperware container and filled it up to maybe 2 -1/2" with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. I repeated this every time the water cooled enough to touch for about 5 cycles.

I then gave the razor 3 Scrubbing Bubbles baths at about 5 minutes each. I used an old toothbrush and a toothpick between each SB bath to loosen the remaining scum. I finished up with Flitz metal polish and a ratty old white Hanes t-shirt. I only spent around 2 hours total. I don't think it'll get any cleaner though. That discoloration you see under the head is brassing. I got lucky in that it's the only brassing on the entire razor.

 

[K.T.]

OK.... what was the stuff on the razor? You know what I'm talking about.

K.T.

 

[_MementoMori_]

OK.... what was the stuff on the razor? You know what I'm talking about.

K.T.

Mercifully, I still don't know. But I'll tell you this... and I don't know why I didn't take pics of it... but that "stuff" in the vertical grooves came out in long straight pieces. They literally held their shape when the peroxide boiled them off of the handle.

 

[johnmrson]

Excellent job. Well done Sir. There is something very satisfying about turning a piece of junk into a razor that can be used. Great idea of PIF'ing it as well. Hopefully it will convert another person to DE shaving.

 

[W_B_K]

Very nice job! Glad to see it will be "living on".

 

[Mr. Wilson]

That is a some nice work sir! You are a man of your word. I'm hoping I will be converted to DE shaving. It's always nice to see a resurrection of sorts. Once again, job well done.

I'll let you know how it goes after the first shaving and my face is cut to pieces.

 

[_MementoMori_]

That is a some nice work sir! You are a man of your word. I'm hoping I will be converted to DE shaving. It's always nice to see a resurrection of sorts. Once again, job well done.

I'll let you know how it goes after the first shaving and my face is cut to pieces.

This is the recipient of the PIF. Make sure you all give him good advice and encouragement to keep him in the fold, gents.

 

[skipnord]

The Fatboy and early SS I recently posted on the Score Forum were equally as grotty as yours. That dark brownish stuff that pealed out in one piece was interesting. The area where I found the razor has very hard water with a lot of iron in it, so that may have been the source. I did one soak in boiling water with dish soap, two shots of Scrubbing Bubbles, a bit of brass brushing on the knurling, and Blue polish. I really wish I had taking "before" pictures.
Encourage your PIF to post himself, so he can get lots of good advise!

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Excellent rescue! Hot, soapy water and lots of patience can do miracles with old dirty razors.

 

[SpartanFan]

Just wanted to join in and say great job. I too really find something enjoyable about bringing back a really ugly razor to usable condition. There is just something satisfying about it. Great work.

 

[lungho]

I'm surprised it cleaned up so well. Great job!