Wostenholm & Sons Straight Razor

[Redstar]

My wife is on vacation in Arizona visiting family. Before she left she asked if I would like her to bring anything back from there. I asked her to stop into a few antique stores, if she had time, to look for some old brushes, straight razors, etc. Here's what she bought me for $18.00:



I don't know very much about it. It's inscribed: Wostenholm & sons double carbonized blade registered sept 10 1850

The shop owner even honed it for her for free when she told him that she was buying it as a present for me. I'm excited to see it in person (a whole week from today!). I've been reading the restoration board trying to determine if I chose to polish it up, if I'd take a whack at it myself or send it out to someone to do for me. If it's in as good a shape as the pictures look to me, I would hate to ruin it by doing it myself if it's a technical process.

 

[mdunn]

Very nice razor, however I'll be extremely surprised if it shaves with the hone job it's got. Polish/clean it up, and send it to a honemeister to take care of

 

[hig789]

She did very well. I would also doubt if the hone job is worth a damn. Myself I like it as it is but I will look great cleaned up too.

 

[Mike H]

Very nice, she did very well. I love my IXL

edit: I would leave the patina!

 

[Sando]

You got a keeper there, for sure. Framebacks are always desirable and I see those routinely go for much coin. But I like it as is - patina and all.

...Ray

 

[Redstar]

Thanks guys! When she gets home I may be so excited I rush right past her and ask where the razor is. (wouldn't really) Also, an update on the honing; I talked with her last night and she told me that the pictures where sent pre-hone. She bought it, sent me the pics and then had to go back the next day to get it done.

 

[Raithskar]

Wostenholm is good steel. Very nice score!

Jon

 

[Rschan]

You married to an great lady my friend

 

[smalltank]

when I first got into straights and wet shaving..my wife was also supportive..now she knows its not a big deal deal if I get more straights...either get a "bargain" or I dont get it at all....she knows it keep me "sane"..

 

[Redstar]

Ya, she's pretty great. It's funny actually. When she figures out what excites me she'll be the one doing the buying or encouraging me to buy something I may be reading about or looking at online. She spoils me.

 

[BZiel]

That thing is a keeper. I smell restoration, honing, and another 100+ years of use.