I was cleaning out some old boxes when I dropped an old coffee can containing a bunch of odds and ends. Among that junk I found this razor. The scales were broken in half and hanging off, part of one side completely missing. Before visiting these shaving forums, I would have taken one look at it and tossed it in the trash. Now, however, I have decided to clean it up and learn how to restore my first straight. The razor is an Atkinson Bros. Sheffield. After looking around the web, I've learned that Atkinson was located on Nowbry Street in Sheffield, Ca. 1879. I have no idea how to date this particular razor, though. There is a hall mark on the tang that looks like a dead bug to me with something written below it. I have learned that Atkinson Bros used the trademarks IN MIND and BRILLO. The trademark is pretty worn but it looks more like the IN MIND trademark than BRILLO to me. Actually, the tang is pretty worn but I think I can actually see that the hallmark is a bear. The dark areas at the bottom are the legs and....well, I'm sure you can spot it as well. Anyway, I'm considering doing a complete restore on this, my first ever. I wonder if this would be a good razor to learn restoration on or should I have someone who knows what they are doing work on this razor? The pictures below show the razor as I found it minus the scales and after the first sanding with 120 grit. I know that I am suppose to work my way up the grit scale, erasing the scratches from the previous grit but I need to look up proper sanding techniques before I get too far. How I found it The scratches shown in this picture actually looks like someone was using it as a box cutter or something. Kind of odd. After the first sanding Bear hallmark with IN MIND trademark Anyway, I just wanted to share my discovery and project with you guys and see what you think. Also, I have found a quite a bit of information about this company but if you have ideas for other resources to learn more, let me know.
I think you are doing pretty darn good with it, just take your time and go slow and steady.. The honing is going to be a bit tricky,, 1. the edge should have a slight smile 2. the chips need work 3. after fixing 1 & 2 the shoulder will need to be "adjusted" This is NOT a straight forward easy honing, and will require a bit of "Honing Gymnastics" to get it right, a non-expert will probably do more harm then good...
Thank you for the advice. Since I had nothing invested in the razor, I thought it a good piece to learn complete restoration on. As of today, I have taken it up to 600 grit and it's looking even better. I still need to find a higher grit paper. I tried to tackle the honing myself ove the weekend and although I was sucesful in removing the chips, I am thinking I have pretty much ruined the blade edge. I had seen a couple of videos about how to hone a blade but there was no mention of taping the spine while doing so (at least not that I recall) and although I thought I was not putting much pressure on it, I now have uneven grind marks on the spine as well as a wider bevel at the heel than the toe. If it is still slavageable, I intend to send it to someone who knows what they are doing. In the meantime, even if it's not worth pursuing, I am still finding it an educational process. I still want to find replacement scales and try re-scaling it myself only I will make an attempt to study that very closely and listen to as much advice as possible before doing it. If nothing else, I will come out of this with a much better understanding of the process and much more knowledgable. Thanks again for the advice. Sorry for no updated pics but I don't have access to them right now. I can post the updated pics tonight if anyone is interested to see what the clueless noob did to a prefectly good razor.
When I saw Atkinson Bros, I had to read. They made a fine wedge that shaves fantastic. If you are going to try restoring, have to start somewhere. I agree with sixgun though, honing is going to be tricky. Understand they made razors for the British military at one point. ? Might very well turn into a fine shaver. If you are going to attempt the honing, I would highly recommend taping the spine, and retaping at least until you have worked those chips out.
