I guess I got lucky...

[Galeocerdoshark]

Some time ago I posted a thread here with some old razors my dad and I found at my great-aunt's place while cleaning up her house. The straight razors belonged to her late husband who used to be a barber. In that same thread I mentioned another razor that I had received from a friend of the family. He had inherited that one as well as a bunch of others from his own uncle (or great-uncle, I'm still not sure about that, I should ask). I go by his house a couple of times every month, mostly to discuss fossils and the likes (we're always out together hunting fossils ) and today he had a surprise for me.
Apparently he found the rest of them and he said that I could have them. He said they were just in the attic rusting away and that it would be good for these blades to receive a spa treatment. He didn't lie. Lot's of them have rust all over them, some even have it on the edge...
Well, it was a LARGE bunch of old razors. Together with the ones I had already found at my great-aunt's, I've gotten myself a nice little collection without even spending a dime! If it may comfort you guys: I'm not always thàt lucky :thumbup:

Here's a list of some tang stamps and/or paint on the blades or handles. Some of them have the same handles but different blades, some of 'em are the same but with different lettering etc. Anyway, here goes:

- AK34 (no other markings). This one was in a box that said Nicholson File Co. Providence. I'm guessing it's not the original box of the razor
- 15 C. Friedr. Kratz & Co., Wald Solingen garantie. On the other side of the tang are two guys sawing through a log.
- 60 Dorko "Resco Luxe", Solingen
- 60 Resco, Dorko
- 60 Colibri "qualité superieure, marque déposée", Forgé & évidé à Solingen
- Best quality Tuckmar Silver Steel Solingen "Sonderklasse fur salen u. kabinet"
- Bartpuzer modell-1930 (one with a Dorko stamped handle and one with a Chabatz stamped handle), Weltz ruf schutz marke, Solingen Germany
- Luxury Special Solingen, forgé & évidé à Solingen
- 65 4/8 Fermarud "best silver steel", Gebr. Lang, soldene medaillen, Solingen
- HO...(blurry because of rust), Solingen Wald
- 50 Chabatz Solingen, forgé & évidé à Solingen.

I also took some quick pics. It's a quarter to 11 PM here so it's already dark. Just wanted some pics up before cleaning them tomorrow.

Some have been well sharpened and/or are heavily rusted.

There are still some examples with beautiful paint on 'em:

I'm definitely going to clean these guys up. I'm not sure how long it will take to get these done.
ANY kind of information is highly welcomed! Age and the like, information about model numbers and so one.
I would also like some kind of information on what I should use in order to get the rust off the blades where the paint is WITHOUT removing or damaging the paint jobs. I think that will be the most difficult. I'll post this thread up on some other boards as well, so you might run into this more than once. Just want as much information as possible, I hope you don't blame me.

I hope you guys enjoys these fella's and are able to give me some good advice. I'll update this thread when the blades are cleaned up. If you guys want any specific pics of a specific blade, don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers,

Jerry

 

[gadgetgeek]

Some very nice blades there! some have some very substantial hone wear, but I can only assume that was how much they were used. The gold overlay is going to be very hard to keep, as is is very thin, some of the other guys might have better ideas, but I think most rust removers will strip it right off. I would try very gently rubbing it with 3-in1 oil and a soft cloth, you might then just leave the rust pits, but remove the main surface rust. But to my knowledge there is no way to really get the polish back. and the only razor Ive had with gold on it, didn't really turn into a raging success, but that may have had more to do with inexperience and celluloid rot...
That said, none of them look un-salvageable, and will probably be great shavers. They just might not win any beauty pageants.

 

[Mack]

Wow. I think my heart would have stopped seeing all of those.

 

[Galeocerdoshark]

Some very nice blades there! some have some very substantial hone wear, but I can only assume that was how much they were used. The gold overlay is going to be very hard to keep, as is is very thin, some of the other guys might have better ideas, but I think most rust removers will strip it right off. I would try very gently rubbing it with 3-in1 oil and a soft cloth, you might then just leave the rust pits, but remove the main surface rust. But to my knowledge there is no way to really get the polish back. and the only razor Ive had with gold on it, didn't really turn into a raging success, but that may have had more to do with inexperience and celluloid rot...
That said, none of them look un-salvageable, and will probably be great shavers. They just might not win any beauty pageants.

Thanks for the compliments and information. I let these guys have a WD40 bath and cleaned them up with a cloth. A lot of rust already came off but only now it shows how deep some of the stuff sits in the steel. Rinsed them off and I'll be giving them a coca cola treatment next. It's less corrosive as cillit bang or something similar. Steel wool may be next on the heels. Thanks again for the advice! I know they won't win any beauty contests but I just hope to remove all or at least most of the rust and just stop it from spreading further.

Wow. I think my heart would have stopped seeing all of those.

Mine at least skipped a beat. You'd think I slept well after coming home with this but I didn't. Always thinking about how to deal with them. Couldn't sleep at all tonight.

 

[Galeocerdoshark]

A bit more in detail now. Cleaned these guys up a bit but I still have work to do. Not all rust has been removed yet. Sorry for the shine on the pics, they're covered in some oil

The barber did seem to have a thing for Dorko razors, especially the renamed ones for the French market (Resco).

All of these have the same pattern number (60) but the markings may differ, both on the blade or handle.

Odd duck: dorko handle scales but Bartputzer modell 1930 blade

Next up are two blades with a Chabaz handle but... again one of 'em has a Bartputzer blade. I can't find any useful info on Chabaz... so help is welcome

There was a Tückmar among these guys too. I like it.

Two other black handled ones.

One has markings...

And one only says AK34, nothing else. Info?

This guys does come close to a full wedge, but it's still slightly hollow. By far the heaviest blade of the batch.

Some additional yellow handled specimens...

Unreadable to me though...

Nr2 and 3

Ah, and last but not least... Maybe my favourite of the batch. It's the smallest, the finest and has the coolest engravings by far.

I hope you guys enjoyed! Any additional info on the companies, blade types, numbering,... is very welcome!

 

[Mack]

I don't have any info on them. I bet Unit will. I will say that if I was you, that wedge would be made shave ready and would be my go to shaver immediately. What a great looking blade.

 

[jkarp_53]

What an amazing haul, lucky lucky. I'm not into straights, but those are beautiful, congrats!

 

[unit]

I cannot add much info here. You have some nice looking pieces of history there. Unfortunately the etching and gold wash can be fairly delicate and choices will have to be made regarding restoration.

Personally, I tend to err on the side of doing less and preserving what the years of aging have to offer...but rust has no place on a user.

Good luck, and enjoy those fine looking razors

 

[C_Becker]

Congrats to your nice collection ! Only thing useful I can add is that 'Wald' is a Departement ("Stadtteil") of Solingen in the Northwestern part of the town. Maybe that helps narrowing down potential manufacturers a little