Is This Razor Salvagable?

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DieselHardware

Joined
Feb 24, 2013
Messages
6
Wondering if anyone knows much about this razor? I haven't been able to find much info on this specific model. Only thing I can really tell is that it is early 1900's since it was made in Prussia. From the little that I've found, it probably isn't a real expensive razor, but wondering if any of you know much about it. Also, does the blade look salvagable? It is a little rough, but also has a couple very small "dents" in the edge, although they are pretty hard to see in the photos. I'd like to get it honed if possible and try a shave with it. Thanks for lookin.

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I'm no expert but I would say it's definitely salvageable. I love the handle.
 
It needs a little love, but it certainly looks viable. I have honed/repaired FAR worse specimens.

It appears to not have much hone wear and a slight smile at the tip. I'd say you have a great starter there.
 
Robert Klaas is a famous name from Solingen, not Prussia. And that looks like a fancy ivory handle, not some entry level item. It would be interesting to hear if anybody in Bernard Levines ID forum knows anything about it.
 
diesel, classicshaving.com has a razor sharpening service. if you inquire over at straightrazorplace.com I'm sure they'll be able to steer you toward a few other options, and give you some additional information on your razor. looks like a beauty.
 
Prussian? I love it.

Gollnick is ethnically Prussian, you know.
 
That would be a solid B+ in my book, definitely hone-able and ultimately useable. None of the usual signs of a dieing blade, and even if that is just celluloid-faux ivory, those last much longer than clear amber or tortoise shell celluloid, so no worries there. Great score!
 
Thanks for the info guys. After some more searching for examples, it does appear to be celluloid, but I still think it could be hand carved. Definitely a "fancy" set of scales. Plan to fine someone to send it to for honing and give it a couple trial runs before I decide to go hardcore into the straight shaves.
 
There are lots of reputable guys that hone razors. Just make sure whom ever you deal with KNOWS how to properly hone a RAZOR. There is a big difference between a highly skilled knife sharpen and a skilled razor honer (not to say that there are not a few that can do both).

A properly honed razor will give you a much better chance of enjoying using a straight.

Good luck and have fun.

An unsolicited tip: for your first few shaves, do not attempt a complete shave, just take a couple easy strokes and finish with something you are familiar with. Straight shaving is a wonderful experience for many...but only after they take the time to develop the talent to control the razor. (Think marathon not sprint;))
 
I have a fair amount of experience honing razors and I would say that yours almost definitely can be made shave ready. There is corrosion at the edge but it's nothing severe. It clearly needs an entirely new bevel set and that will likely eliminate all of the corrosion but the honer will need to watch for that to make sure. I don't see any other issues with it so it should be easily brought back into service.
 
I have and use quite a few different razors. I have them honed by a guy on straight razor place. I have brough razors much worse than that to have gone hone, and they shave well (I have only one razor that shaves amazing, and it is because of the grind).

I have also brought one to him in a condition that was nearly the same as that, and it was shot, apparently someone had put it on a buffer and put a wave in the entire grind. It looks to me that that one isn't like that though, so I say get it honed and shave with it
 
I agree with the other's that this is a good looking and seems to be salvagable razor. (there could be things we can't see from the pictures) Maybe not immediately on this one but I would encourage you to look into developing your own honing, polishing and stroping skills. It takes patience and time for most (some seem to be excellent from day one- that was not me) but it is quite satisfying when you can take a very dull razor and make it so keen that the razor will just sing off your whiskers. The physics (so to speak) are a lot different than sharpening knives)

If I had this one (I'm not a pro honer but I can make them VERY well honed as I learned the hard way) I would first take some Flitz or Maas polish and polish up the entire blade being careful not to mess with the edge. Then set the bevel, then hone, then polish the edge and strop. Testing things after every step (ex; you don't want to hone until you have a good bevel set, etc.) There are a lot of good methods and hones out there. I tend to use a modified version of Lynn Abram's pyramid method (youtube). I use a DMT extra fine (about 1,200 grit) for a VERY Dull blade edge trailing (when there are nicks and damage that can come off) but mostly use a Norton 4,000/8,000 edge leading then Shapton 16,000 edge leading then Chromium Oxide loaded strop (edge trailing) then leather strop (edge trailing). I practiced on cheaper stainless steel razors that found there way to a drawer and were not used before I felt confident to do my prized Their Isaards etc. But, I say again, once you get it down, it is very rewarding and completely changes the whole experience. Also, it seems that the older razors like this rival or actually do better than expensive new ones.
 
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