Hi all I have just got 6 vintage cutthroat razors Thay have some rust and small areas of pitting I got a voogd made in Sheffield A Joseph Rogers +son A tuck Mar silver steel solingen number 17 it has gold on blade A krahn German A prima 25 w v s with a man on a.chair and haves two gold crests on blade and one I can only make out is feinster I am wanting to restore polish and hone Is it best to buy a bench grinder and polisher or is there a easy way to do the work.? if I take off the old scales will it alter the value or should I leave the old ones on How do I value them..? Is there a weekly or mouthy magazine many thanks in advance for any help or advice robert
No on the bench grinder. The steel on razors is not able to take much of a grinding wheel. Check out the Straight Razor forum. There is a section on there on restorations. The ones I have done have been with liquid polisher and sand paper. A lot of times you can clean it up pretty well with just the polish.
Gotta pay your due to the Hand Sand Gods. Then someone might consider a Dremmel. Lots to learn before thinking about a buffing wheel. I can't imagine using a grinding wheel. Ever.
There is no easy or quick fix to resolving some of the issues that may need restoring, and there really isn't a substitute for hand-sanding, particularly on a small scale of production. If one plans on making a hobby of it (restoration), then it may be worthwhile investing in bench polisher, compounds and other tools of the trade. Original scales can enhance the value, providing they are indeed original to the manufacture. Maker's name or emblem on scales can also enhance the value. If the scales are damaged, cracked, rotting or missing sections, then one should consider rescaling in most instances. There are some reference 'bibles' on straights out there if one can find them. many are out of print. ebay values are not the most accurate as far as determining real 'value', but do demonstrate the demand for certain makes.
