Still fairly new to straight razor shaving, but I am really enjoying it. I have a degree in history, so the vintage razors are a lot of fun to track down information on them. I did my google research, and found a little bit already. I want to learn to hone razors, so have been looking for ones to practice on. I took a few pictures as I found them, and a few more after a round of Bar Keeper’s Friend. Razor #1 “WR Case and Sons, Bradford, PA.” (1905-1914) “Registered No. 023 Warranted for Life” 5/8 straight. Round toe, Bakelite scales, looks like significant hone wear, with a slight frown. Both scales are chipped and broken past the pin, and the blade has some pitting and active rust. Hone wear on both sides. Based on the condition of this one, I think it’s a good candidate to try and practice honing on. Anything else I should know? Razor #2 “Cattaraugus Cutlery Company, Little Valley” small straight. Company was open from 1886-1963 in New York. Blade is about 2.25 inches long, and just under 4/8th. It wasn’t cut down unless the scales were redone to match. Scales appear to be horn with a white plastic wedge, and have some cracks. I doubt they could be removed, cleaned, and repined without breaking. There is some rust on the spine side of the toe, and near the pivot point. I haven’t seen much on razors in this size, any information about the size or the maker? The steel and overall condition of this one makes me wonder if I should send it out to be cleaned up, rather than using it to learn honing on.
They are actually both Case related,,, Cattaruagus is a Case Company also Kinfolks and George Korn these were all related There are some issues with the Geometry on both of them from the heels to the Frowns and the "Off" spines Then you have the pitting at the edges The Catty looks to be the best bet for getting a shaving edge from the pics but it is going to take some work.. The problem with trying to learn how to hone using razors that have geometry issues is it makes it into a nightmare when you are trying to learn Best bet for learning to hone is to first learn to "Maintain" an already shaver ready razor, but nobody really listens to that hehehe PS: These are both Little Valley NY made razors and were made with what many of us consider to be EXCELLENT steel, grinds and HT
I keep finding tutorials on how to take an rough razor and get it cleaned up, but I haven't found much on just maintaining the edge. I have two shave ready straights right now. One I am shaving with, and one I am holding onto to compare a shave ready edge to what ever I come up with. When my current razor needs a touch up, I do plan on trying it myself, with one of my Welsh finishing stones. I still need to get the Norton 220/1000/4000/8000 kit with a lapping stone. The stones I have now are way too rough to use with a razor. Glen, do you think that little Cattaraugus is worth getting cleaned up? I haven't seen many razors in that size, and it seems to be in decent shape on the steel.
Having learned to hone on both 'shave -ready' as well as 'geometrically-challenged' razors I heartily agree with Glen's last sentence. Some of those frowning, smiling, hone-worn old blades a real pain and naturally, my feeble results off the hones with them were predictable.
No sense in doing much cleaning until you find a solid bevel set... The first step in every restore "Will it eventually shave"
They both are pretty narrow, so I think trying to fix these would not be worth it. You don't have enough metal you can lose, as it is.
The small one looks like it has very little metal missing, it was a small blade to start with. I might send this one to someone to get a professional opinion on if it is worth saving, and a cost estimate. The steel is in pretty good shape, and the bevel on the edge is still polished. There doesn't appear to be any pitting on it, but I don't have a magnifier to look at it yet.
