Restoring An Antique Straight Razor: Cleaning, polishing and honing your way to a great wet shave.

[@manishbhoola]

Stunning showcase of the restoration process without any complicated science. Straight razor shaving is indeed a real pleasure. Something very satisfying to bring back 100 year old steel back to life and getting a rewarding shave and beating all those planned obsolescence gimmicky multi blade new fangled plastic stuff. Class act Sir 👏

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks Manish. I'm guessing all those folks that saved Grandpa's razor somehow knew the value of the item beyond the sentimental. They really are a pleasure to shave with! Thanks for watching!

[@pzh3334]

Thank you for the thorough video! My great uncle had his own barbershop from the 1920s-1970s in a small immigrant town in Minnesota. He even shaved John Dillinger when he was on the run! News didn't travel fast in the 1930s and they didn't know who he was until shortly after. There were some unsavory folks and mobsters that would come through town, so when he arrived with bodyguards my great uncle was already leery. When he tried to pay for the haircut and shave with a $50 bill, that was unheard of and he didn't have change for it, so they sent a bodyguard down the block to the bank to make change. My family has always had wonderment about my great uncle holding a razor to the throat of a man like that! Anyway, I love that you honor the history of these razors, they mean something to a lot of us. I have a handful his old razors, brush, strap, and replacement blades, and am researching how to restore them myself. I, too, want to keep everything original. Most blades will be part of a display in my home, and one or two will be to try out on ourselves. Thanks again for the clear demonstration!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for sharing your amazing story! While I shave myself with a straight razor, I’d be wary about shaving someone else, especially if it was John Dillinger! :)

[@ikeyschultz4969]

Finally a video who provides specific. step by step.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, Ikey! Hope it helps!

[@MrRoots1978]

Cool video, I like keeping the razors as original as possible as well. In some cases when scales are too damaged they have to be replaced and while I can appreciate your simple honing techniques I think a progression through more grits would be preferable and a finish on something closer to a 12k is ideal. However, if the razor feels smooth and shaves well who can complain.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Clay! I’ve never tried a more advanced progression but I’ve been meaning to give it a try. Been particularly curious about the use of tapes.

[@bobbyscalchi4013]

Im going to suggest this since Ive done about 30 ebay razors in the last month. Determine which stage the blade is in and if the blade and rivets need polishing and or sanding. Start with the absolute softest abrasive first and see where that gets you. Like metal polish. Mothers Mag and chrome polish. Work the polish in with your finger pads carefully until it turns dark gray. Be care not to slice your finger at the bevels and edge. Then wipe clean. Then take a dremel and buffing wheel at low speed and apply a very minute amount of polish to the blade and run the buffing wheel at a low slow setting. Work the polish or compound into the metal until a mirror finish appears. Heat and friction can be your friend polishing up until a certain point. Dont let the metal get too warm and dont stay in one spot for too long. In some cases you may need to remove rust. Soak in vinegar and baking soda or type of rust removers. No more than a couple of hours or you will discolor the metal and have more to polish. In some cases ypu may need to sand from 400 grit all the way to 2000, then polish with compounds then actual liquid polish ro achieve mirror finish. Another thing. Whether you prefer to hone with or without tape is your decision and how much bevel correction you have to do to get a flat even water squeegee across the stones while honing. Im going to suggest start your bevel setting at 3 or 4k first before jumping right to the 1k. Edge leading strokes then edge trailing strokes like you ate stropping on a stone. Do this with each stone grit progression. You want as even set bevels as possible that will pass the paper cut test or tomato test without removing too much metal from the spine. Once its gone its gone. If this guy can get it after giving up for 20 years you can get it too. Feel the blade as it passes through the stone with each stroke and flip. It will feel like it starts each progression with a little resistance, then glide with little resistance. That is what you are feeling for then paper test for sharpness on all parts of the blade from heel to toe. Then proceed to the next progression.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for the tips, Bobby!

[@Mvcrash]

Nice, simple process for making a shave ready razor.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching!

[@trueblu8]

Great straight razor restoration video.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, Vince!

[@lanep4322]

Great vid! I'm working on a vintage Eveready SR now. Thanks for the inspirational and beneficial info.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks much, Lane! Nice to know another razor’s getting back into circulation!

[@gregmccormack5709]

He's got some Clubman on his counter...... we can trust this guy lol😃. Nice resto!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Always, Greg! :) Thanks for watching!

[@jeancovarrubias8955]

Hello great video, are only two stones needed to get shave ready?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

You really could shave off of just the Norton, but it's a little harsh. You could also just shave off the coticule if you didn't mind spending a lot of time getting the razor in shape as it's a slower cutter. I use the two because the Norton quickly gets the edge and then the coticule will finish nicely. :)

[@darkshad0wbee483]

Just found me a J A Henkel. As my first straight razor and at 25$ still sharp enough to shave my nail clean. Thanks for the video. By chance do you have a breakdown of a complete sharpening video. You make it seem easy but I know there's angles and speed that also changes things. I think it's a lost art but an essential art that you can use thru out your life and lives to come

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Sounds like a nice razor. Sorry, I don’t have a sharpening video but that’s a good idea! As far as angle is concerned, just lay the razor flat on the hone so the spine of the razor will set a consistent angle on both sides. Different hones require different techniques, so what you do from there depends on your hone. I’ll work on a video and let you know when it’s done! Thanks for watching!

[@darkshad0wbee483]

@@bikestrikesrazors Thank you.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Bee- Just finished a sharpening video! I'll link it in a separate response in case. Thanks- Joe

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roLLgaOoh5psgJo

[@darkshad0wbee483]

@@bikestrikesrazors Thanks so much. Was just talking about learning to do it at work today. Thanks for coming thru!!!!👍🏻

[@Hezyo922]

what would you use as an alternative for the coticule? I couldnt find any coticule stones accessible to me

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Yep, they’re getting harder to find as it looks like the only mine left has closed. I’d look for a set of man-made stones like the Nortons, but buying three Nortons in various grits could get expensive. A good low cost option would be sharpening films like this: sharposharp.com/products/sharpo-straight-razor-sharpening-set?srsltid=AfmBOopJnvh30DB8VHohacFT0nBxnXWG0Hb8iivsJyj1wQyfTzZLihV9

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I’d also recommend posting over on the Badger & Blade shaving forum to see what they recommend. Thanks for watching!

[@manifestgtr]

Very cool man. I’m restoring my great grandpas old straight razor at the moment. This is exactly what I needed. You have a very young voice, btw. You sound like a man in your twenties haha

[@bikestrikesrazors]

At least I still have something that at least sounds young.:) Good luck with your great grandpa's razor, and glad we could help out!

[@bobby_c]

Where did you get that Hoffman image from I can't find another like it anywhere

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Found it at a flea market. :)

[@Shiznittlebizbampop1]

Hey I have a straight razor that was my grandfather's. I actually have a couple because he use to be a young barber back in the mid 30s until the late 40s and then he opened a repair shop for washing machines and stuck with that until he retired around the age of 70; So I have 2 razors that I would believe to be his "Public" or "Client" razors that are very plain and I can't find a name anywhere on them. But the one that I suspect was his personal razor lookels nearly EXACTLY like the one in this video, I mean the scales look the same (Other than the name that's inlayed in it wasn't Hoffman. But it still had those beautiful mother of pearl scales with the gold name inlay) but it was made by a company called "Double Duck" and even on the handle of the blade (The actual handle, not the scales) there is even 2 little ducks and you can tell that the whole blade at some point was plated in gold. I've tried to find another one just like it online with no luck. I couldn't even find anything about Doyle Duck online when I checked and 10 years ago. So I wanted to know if this sounds familiar to you at all or if you knew anything about the company. Sadly I can't ask my grandfather because he passed away back in 2012 and I didn't know about his past as a barber until we were going through his things and I came across the razors and I asked my grandmother about them. Because he always used a single bladed safety razor (Sadly one of my cousins got that and eventually threw it away not knowing that you can restore them back to beautiful working order.) And that is also the kind of razor I use because I always loved the way it looked when I would watch him shave. And 1 blade is really all you need, as long as the blade is sharp and clean, I still don't understand why people think they need 4 razors in one? Maybe it's because the razor quality isn't that good and they don't last nearly as long as a well made replaceable single edge? Idk, but that's a question for a different day haha. But I really do want to know if you've ever came across a golden straight razor (Or on that you could tell was once hold plated) made by "Dubble Duck" because I did find a couple of other (What I would believe to be his personal because of how nice they were) Double Duck razors, but all but the original one I found were beaten to hell and the only good thing left of them was the scales.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Michael! Yes, I have heard of Dubl Duck razors, in fact I have one that I shave with that sounds a lot like your grandfather's. It even has the two little ducks on the scales. I'm guessing that you couldn't find much on the razor because they use a weird spelling- "Dubl Duck". If you do a Google search for "Dubl Duck razor" you should find lots of similar examples. It's a very well known and respected vintage razor brand and in good shape, Dubl Duck razors sell for pretty good money. I wish I had one of my grandfather's razors, but my cousins got 'em all! :)

[@Shiznittlebizbampop1]

@@bikestrikesrazors Oh wow! Thank you for actually replying, and doing it so fast! But okay so I'm not crazy lol and Double Duck (Or I guess I should say Dubl Duck) isn't some sort of random off brand razor of the time. And you're definitely right! I totally forgot that they spelled it "Dubl Duck"! (I didn't and still don't have the razor in front of me so I couldn't remember that they spelled it that way.) And I think at the time I was trying to research about it, maybe vintage razors just weren't being spoken about as much as they are now (Again this was about 10 years ago when I tried to look them up) or maybe despite seeing how it was spelled I thought it was a mistake and still searched it as "Double" and not "Dubl", I honestly can't remember? But now I'm definitely going to look back into it. I would never sell the razor, but it actually is in pretty good condition, it was still shaving sharp despite it obviously not being used for over I'm guessing 3 decades, because there was (And still is, but I got off as much as I could to try to save it and keep it nice) specks of pen dot sized rust on it. Thankfully nowhere near the actual edge, but still, me removing the rust left those places that did have rust on it, with pen dot sized pits now, so I'm guessing the razor was sitting for quite a long time with no upkeep to have had the rust go so far in. Oh wait, I guess you would be one of the best people to ask this question: Do you know of anyone that does FULL restorations on straight razors? Because the reason why I was looking it up all those years ago was because I wanted to get it fully restored (even get it re-electroplated in gold like it was brand new) but I would like to keep it with the pits that the rust made still left in it to keep the look and feel that it is as old as it is and not look like it was some lucky find that is old but still basically brand new. If that makes any sense? Because if I could still keep the pits in it, it would definitely help remind me and bring back nostalgia of my grandfather and the fact that he actually did use that razor back when he was about in his 20-30s. And oh no! Sounds like you went through about the same thing I did with my cousins! Isn't that always how life seems to go though? Lol And Thank you again so much for replying so quickly :) and also letting me know that I was probably right about it being his personal razor because it is such a nice brand hahaha That definitely helped me and my ease of mind since at that time I thought I was going crazy for not being able to find anything about them, and especially no pictures that looked anywhere near like the razor I was looking for. Hopefully once I start looking now, that you're right and I can find all the info I'd like about them. And who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and find one that looks just like his, but in that brand new condition I was talking about and I could just buy that and display both of them off with a picture of my grandfather both when he was young and when he was old... Actually, I think I might just do that and make a nice shadowbox picture frame so I can display the razors alongside the picture and hand it on the wall :) this has definitely given me an idea that I'm very excited about doing now. Who thought coming across a random video on KZbin would do something like that? Hahaha! Again, thank you so much! :)

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@Shiznittlebizbampop1 That shadow box idea with the old and new razors sounds like a cool idea! If you do decide that you'd like to do a full restoration on your grandfather's razor, you should Google "Badger and Blade Forums" and you'll see a link to one of the best shaving forums around. I know that there are folks that will do full restorations, and asking over at Badger and Blade would be the best way to find the folks that do that kind of work. They'll know where to send you! Thanks and good luck with the project, Michael!

[@scottkramer5981]

Hi, I recently acquired a nos goldedge pearl duck still factory sealed in the cellophane . I am a reseller and was wondering your opinion on whether I should open the package or not . would a collector be opening it anyway, I'm thinking just to cover myself, it should be open and inspected to assure no rust. There was actually 2 at this barber's estate and one I assume was opened at the auction by family or auction staff , it is mint and rust free . I did get the 2 . What's your opinion on unwrapping a nos razor. Thanks..

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Scott! It depends on the collector. I think an unopened razor would be pretty rare and command a premium and a collector might want to keep it un-opened. From a purely collectible standpoint, it's worth more sealed up.

[@scottkramer5981]

@@bikestrikesrazors Thanks so much for the reply, Totally agree , the thought of having something so nice and not being able to look at though. Lol . A blister pack is different, you could at least admire it. When I do get around to parting with it , I think I will offer the 2 together, the opened one and factory sealed, then they can be displayed together. They've been together all these years , why separate them now. Thanks again, you've helped make up my mind . Take care.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@scottkramer5981 That's an excellent idea. That way the buyer can see what's in the box. :) I found a new ENG razor a few years ago (but not wrapped) and I decided to use it as I try not to collect things I'm not going to use. That's my excuse for not buying too much. :)

[@magnoliamike]

Do you ever use artisan soaps? I recommend Stirling, PAA, Caities Bubbles, A&E, Declaration grooming, Mikes Natural Soaps, stuff like that

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Mike, I'm a traditionalist, so I'm usually using Taylor of Old Bond Street. :) I should give some of the new soaps a try!

[@smokingblades1963]

Hello any idea how i can erase some small scratches fm my dovo blade?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi SB! I’d try Maas metal polish. Apply a small amount and rub the scratched area with a soft cloth and the Maas. Clean up with Windex and a paper towel. May take some time but it may eliminate and certainly reduce the scratches. Good luck!

[@smokingblades1963]

@@bikestrikesrazors Thanks a lot...my regards fm Athens

[@Limavitor70]

Nice bikes and razor love classics or die ❤😅

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching!

[@bobbyscalchi4013]

I don't have 15 minutes these days. Lol. I sharpen my blades under water.

[@taiwan1895]

Does Maas also work on coronavirus?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

It hasn't gone through stage three trials yet :)

[@magnoliamike]

Just a tip, you’re supposed to lap your stones before every use.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Mike, If you're using a coticule and a slurry stone, you're effectively lapping your stone, but you're right about the Norton.

[@zenrazor659]

This was not a complete restore and not good!👉👀 Whith the same price of stones and paste you buy a new and gorgeous razor also shave ready🙉 Restoration on razors with big pitting and nicks must!"be done from a manufacturer with special instruments! But it will cost like a new razor.😂 Look at the video your razor shaves not well! You didn't ubderstand what is a really restoration!🤑 It is expensive. Just to do on expensive razors!!!🤩

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Zen and thanks for watching! I don't take the old razors and make them look like new as I want some of the "mojo" that makes them special as they age. I do disagree with you that the razor doesn't shave well. It gives an excellent shave. :)