Rust. Do I clean it?

[caddybill]

I have a bigelow & dowse co. superba that has rust on the blade. I got it this way. Do I clean it or just leave it, and if I clean it how do I? I don't plan on using it to shave, but I also do not whant to diminish any value it has. I cant find much info about it online. My google-fu is good.

 

[zach2556]

Well, I don't know if this would be the same as knives. With my knives if I get rust I take wd-40 with some steel wool and it usually takes it right off. I bet it would work

 

[C.S. Graves]

I'd be leery of using steel wool on a straight razor. I might suggest honing it flat on a fine stone until much of the rust is honed off. For anyone who hasn't honed a razor before, you can just put edge and spine flat on the stone... Stropping with leather or a suitable substitute afterwards can further improve the polish and the edge.

 

[Alanp]

From my understanding edge rust is a witch. You can clean it but your still going to have to hone/sand past that edge.



*****EDIT***** Ahh didn't realize you weren't planning on using this razor. I've done some restore work on razors and started at like 800 grit sand paper and it wen't like this 800-1000-1500-2000-polishing compound with dremel. They came out as shiny as new. Here's one i did up to i think 1000 grit. Check this thread out just to see how good a little sandpaper and elbow grease work.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=98985

 

[caddybill]

Thanks for the replies. I think that I will get all the info I need from badger and blade.

 

[Alanp]

Thanks for the replies. I think that I will get all the info I need from badger and blade.

Check them and The straight razor place (google it) they have TONS of info on restoring.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

Naval jelly?

 

[Chris Meyer]

I would try buffing just the edge to see if you can clean up the rust. If you don't have a buffer, a progression of some abrasive papers and some Maas polish should do the trick. You can get the Maas at Walgreen's, among other places.

As for whether you should clean it, I think you have to get the rust off or, at the very least, stop it. My understanding from spending time on the Razor forums is that it doesn't hurt the value to restore it. Which seems to be the opposite of what you'd do to the value of an old knife. To sand it you can wrap the paper around a hose of similar size to the curve of the blade. Just watch out for your fingers.

If you aren't going to shave with the razor, there's no sense honing it. Of course, all of us cool kids shave with our straight razors.

Check out this link to the Straight Razor Place for more info.

Here's one I restored and shave with. I used lots of sand paper and a buffer. ;

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

[cotdt]

Yeah you will need to hone it off. The rust puts pits on the edge, making it unusable.

 

[zach2556]

I would try buffing just the edge to see if you can clean up the rust. If you don't have a buffer, a progression of some abrasive papers and some Maas polish should do the trick. You can get the Maas at Walgreen's, among other places.

As for whether you should clean it, I think you have to get the rust off or, at the very least, stop it. My understanding from spending time on the Razor forums is that it doesn't hurt the value to restore it. Which seems to be the opposite of what you'd do to the value of an old knife. To sand it you can wrap the paper around a hose of similar size to the curve of the blade. Just watch out for your fingers.

If you aren't going to shave with the razor, there's no sense honing it. Of course, all of us cool kids shave with our straight razors.

Check out this link to the Straight Razor Place for more info.

Here's one I restored and shave with. I used lots of sand paper and a buffer. ;

BEFORE:

AFTER:

That is a beautiful razor!!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

That is a beautiful razor!!

I agree! DAMN!

 

[C.S. Graves]

I agree with these guys... ordinarily I love a good patina, but I love how Mr. Meyer's razor looks like new now.

 

[caddybill]

well with everyones advise I had at it with some polishing compound and a buffing wheel on my dremal. So far so good. I will have to get some sand paper and get rid of some of the pitting along the edge and buff it again. I will post some after pics when it's done. Thank you for all the posts