Who's the go-to guy?

[VT_Hokie]

Evening Gents!

Just got back from a two week visit to my parents place all the way up in Vermont before heading back to college. While I was there, I was helping clean out the garage and stumbled upon an entire box full of old scuttles, shaving mugs, a couple brushes and two straight razors. These were all things that she had picked up locally at yard sales and antique stores up there, but apparently the two straights were in the old shed when they purchased the house about 15 years ago.

Anyways, I've been wanting to try my hand with a straight for some time now and this was the perfect launch pad. Both razors are in decent shape, one is a Kut-Well or something that is dull as could be, but the other one is sharp enough to take some hair off but not real efficiently.

So who's the go-to guy around here where I could box these up, and send em out to be cleaned, disinfected, sharpened and what not? Seems like there's always a few hometown favorites on here that everyone recommends for different services.

Thanks in advance fellas.

 

[Luc]

My advice would be to check the honemeister list: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Honemeister

Look at who does restorations and search for their work on the board. Some might make killer scales that you prefer, other will be closer to you...

You could always try to restore the shaving brushes too

I would love to see some pictures!

 

[VT_Hokie]

Ah thanks very much Luc! Exactly what I needed I think.

The scales and blades are actually in great shape, I think I'll post some photos here in a minute. Just looking to get them shave ready.

I fully intend to restore the brushes on my own. Very excited to be ordering knots from TGN soon!

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Congrats on the find. Now, where are the photos?

 

[Luc]

Ah thanks very much Luc! Exactly what I needed I think.

The scales and blades are actually in great shape, I think I'll post some photos here in a minute. Just looking to get them shave ready.

I fully intend to restore the brushes on my own. Very excited to be ordering knots from TGN soon!

Restoring a brush require a minimum of tools and is very easy.

I can vouch for TGN, very good service, quick and the knots are very nice. I use my vintage Simms silvertip now and love it!

 

[VT_Hokie]

Pics!!

 

[Luc]

That doesn't look so bad but then, the pitting might be heavy... I think I also see some rust on the edge, which isn't a good sign...

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Were they ever used?

 

[VT_Hokie]

That doesn't look so bad but then, the pitting might be heavy... I think I also see some rust on the edge, which isn't a good sign...

that's too bad. I thought that might be able to have been taken out.

The one with the rust and all is the Kut-Well that was in pretty bad shape, the Drake was the one that was in decent shape.

 

[Luc]

Were they ever used?

I'm unsure for the first one but the second one seems to have hone wear on the spine...

 

[VT_Hokie]

Were they ever used?

Must have been I assume?

 

[Luc]

that's too bad. I thought that might be able to have been taken out.

The one with the rust and all is the Kut-Well that was in pretty bad shape, the Drake was the one that was in decent shape.

You could always try to clean them up yourself and see how the edge look like after. The person that will restore the blade might need to hone or regrind the blade until the metal is solid again and that might cost too much for what it's worth.

I would say start with some sandpaper and see how they clean up...

 

[VT_Hokie]

You could always try to clean them up yourself and see how the edge look like after. The person that will restore the blade might need to hone or regrind the blade until the metal is solid again and that might cost too much for what it's worth.

I would say start with some sandpaper and see how they clean up...

Darn, cost was the main thing keeping me from trying straights....I'll try to read some tutorials and give it a go myself. Hopefully I can salvage them.

 

[Luc]

Darn, cost was the main thing keeping me from trying straights....I'll try to read some tutorials and give it a go myself. Hopefully I can salvage them.

I won't say it's a tutorial or it's the best way but here's what I did...

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=119243

There are various blades in various stages and some were saved and some were not...

I tried to post progressive pictures...

A good metal polisher can do miracles! I got one made in Oz here and I barely need to sand anymore, the polisher takes care of a lot of dark spots!

Edit: Let's not forget Wiki: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Blade_Restoration

 

[VT_Hokie]

I won't say it's a tutorial or it's the best way but here's what I did...

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=119243

There are various blades in various stages and some were saved and some were not...

I tried to post progressive pictures...

A good metal polisher can do miracles! I got one made in Oz here and I barely need to sand anymore, the polisher takes care of a lot of dark spots!

Edit: Let's not forget Wiki: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Blade_Restoration

Thanks a ton my friend. Very helpful. I'll give it all a go and let you know how it all turns out.

 

[VT_Hokie]

By the way, if these don't work out, I still want to try my hand at straights. Being so well versed in the matter, could you point me towards a good starter straight at a decent price while I have your ear?

 

[Luc]

By the way, if these don't work out, I still want to try my hand at straights. Being so well versed in the matter, could you point me towards a good starter straight at a decent price while I have your ear?

You should be able to find one on BST very easily. Often shave ready.

You can also post a WTB thread and put as much information as you can, specially how much you are willing to pay.

 

[Aussieshaver]

As Luc said, check out the BST are have a chat to Larry at WhippedDog (he does lightly restored starter straights for around $33 shipped).

 

[Wid]

Most certain, give Larry@Whippeddog a call. He's a great guy to deal with.

 

[Woodash]

You might want to check out Mainaman/Stefan. He's in Blacksburg (since you're a VT_Hokie).