A little straight razor help?

[Ramiel]

Before anyone says it, this has already been posted in the knife collecting and ID forum, but thought someone familiar with straight razors could also provide some help.

I received this razor from my grandparents estate. It still shaves! I talked to my dad and he called his older brother to ask if grandpa ever used this razor and my uncle said he does remember him using a straight razor to shave when he was little. So I assume this was the razor used, but it probably hasn't been used for at least 40 or 50 years.
I have done a little research on my own and came up with THEO.A.KOCHS as the makers mark on one side and an arm holding a torch with the word LUCIFER on the other side.
I'd like to know where and when this razor was made if possible. I'm also curious what the handle is made of if that can be seen in the pics below. Thanks!

 

[unit]

I'm on an iPhone, but it looks to me like horn scales.

Hard to say where it was made but it guess (and it is a pure guess) that it is early 1900s England or Germany (Sheffield or Solingen), based on the overall shape and the generalization that most razors I find in estates are that age and origin. In leaning toward England based on the markings, but not certain.

While the edge may still 'shave' I can assure you that the edge needs work. In 40 years time the humidity in the air deteriorates the fine razor edge. Once shave ready, it will amaze you. Even on this small screen, I can see some rolling and dings in the edge near the toe, but there is not a lot of wear and that toe is nice and crisp (no apparent mute).

Read up and study a bit before you do anything with it. Heirlooms are special, and you don't want to damage it in effort to improve it (many people new to razors inadvertently do this assuming that they are similar to knives when it comes to prepping the edge).

You are among the few lucky individuals that found an heirloom piece from their own family

 

[Ramiel]

Thanks for that info.
I would like to get the edge professionally done, the edge looks like its micro serrated with all the little nicks so thats why I was surprised it still shaved the back of my hand.
I hope to keep the patina of the rest of the blade while getting the edge restored to its razor state.

 

[unit]

You and I think a lot alike. I prefer to keep the patina and restore the edge.

If you want click the link in my sig. I do this sort of work all the time.

 

[Ramiel]

I think you understand the sentimental value of this razor to me, and would do a fantastic job bringing the edge back to its shaving state. PM sent

 

[Mack]

I think you understand the sentimental value of this razor to me, and would do a fantastic job bringing the edge back to its shaving state. PM sent

You will not be disappointed. He has done three for me so far and I'm seriously impressed with his work.

 

[unit]

I am quite happy with the performance of this one. It shaped up nicely and will be heading back your way on Monday.

 

[Mack]

I am quite happy with the performance of this one. It shaped up nicely and will be heading back your way on Monday.

This one looks to smile a little like my wedge does. Am I seeing that right or is it a trick of the photo? I love my smiling wedge. Shaving is a true joy lately.

 

[unit]

This one looks to smile a little like my wedge does. Am I seeing that right or is it a trick of the photo? I love my smiling wedge. Shaving is a true joy lately.

It has a slight smile, but not as pronounced as your wedge. It is extra hollow also. It sings if stropped just right.

 

[Mack]

It has a slight smile, but not as pronounced as your wedge. It is extra hollow also. It sings if stropped just right.

The sweet sound of steel singing.

 

[unit]

The sweet sound of steel singing.

I do like it. I seem to be dealing with a lot of heavy grinds lately. When one like this comes along, I get tickled at all the lip it gives me (singing on the strop, and Velcro sounds as it shaves the beard).

Lucifer is anything but subtle.

 

[Ramiel]

I do like it. I seem to be dealing with a lot of heavy grinds lately. When one like this comes along, I get tickled at all the lip it gives me (singing on the strop, and Velcro sounds as it shaves the beard).

Lucifer is anything but subtle.

So I did a ton of digging around today, trying to find the rest of the original box...came up empty handed unfortunately.

 

[unit]

I don't have the coffin for my grand dads razor either. I have a few others that have the original coffin, but they always seem to get stored separately.