Bargain Beauty I: Smiling 6/8 High Class

Intentions are funny things, aren't they? I always mean to write more in this blog than I do; I also mean to buy fewer razors than I wind up getting. I was going through the project pile this weekend and decided that my overstocking can be gain for everyone involved- some beautiful razors at bargain prices. Over the next few days I'll be cleaning up and posting a number of great razors at great prices- perfect for growing your collection, or for beginners looking to try straight shaving without spending too many dollars.

First up is a real gem, a smiling 6/8 hollow ground etched "High Class Razor Co." on the tang with no other identification marks. The biggest trouble is that the scales are warped a bit: The razor will not stand up on its scales, but the blade closes without any need for extra care. There is a little pitting on the spine above the pivot, and a couple tarnish spots that minimal polishing didn't remove. Time on a buffer and this razor would look like new, because it is: zero hone wear prior to my honing it to shave ready. The bevel on this thing is invisible, and aside from those spots where oil gunked up and tarnished the blade it is mirror-polished.

This razor is a sweet shaver, and I'm tempted to keep it- if you're interested you best let me know before I change my mind! This will be a great razor as is or- as I suspect will happen- would be just stunning in a new set of acrylic tuxedo scales. (I might happen to know someone who could help with that.)

This razor is yours; shave-ready, shave-tested, sterilized, stropped, oiled; shipped USPS 1st Class Insured anywhere in the CONUS for $55

$55 Shipped anywhere in the CONUS. International may incur extra shipping.

Interested? Email benjamin.kratchmer (at) gmail (.) com

7/8 Lawton Cutlery Company "Square Deal"

Lawton Cutlery Co

7/8 "Square Deal"

Restore & Rescale in Macassar Ebony

I have two apologies about this one- first, that I didn't get before pictures. As the owner could tell you, it was awfully dirty. He didn't think the etch would live, but with some gentle TLC it has come through splendidly. He requested that I use ebony, but rather than blackwood (Gaboon ebony) I used Macassar ebony, which has purple and brown streaks running through it. A razor this shape needs hefty scales, and I thought the subtle ripples of the wood helped to break up the vast expanse.

The scales are a design of his choosing- from several I drew up for him- and are really nice, in my opinion. They are no thicker than 3/16 of an inch, and taper dramatically toward the ends. The wedge is done in translucent smoky horn that is polished so much you can see the pins through it. All the hardware on this beauty is brass.

Apology no. 2: I had already sent my lightbox to a different location without photographing this razor. What you get is some kind of fuzzy, poorly-lit photos. I had to use the flash on the camera to get the grain to show.... if I get my lightbox back up here, I will see if I can get it back from him (he's a local chap) for some better photos. In the mean time, try to enjoy. :)

6/8 Hortense Razor Company

Hortense Razor Company

6/8 Restore and Rescale in Bloodwood

This one I did a few months ago for a fellow over at Straight Razor Place, as part of a way to say thank you to that community for getting me started (and sunk completely!) into this hobby. This razor was quite tarnished, and had been very aggressively buffed or sanded at some point, leaving the etched blade and tang almost unreadable. I managed to decipher them, though, but didn't (oops) take any before pictures. I need a secretary or something, to remind me...

Rescaled in bloodwood, imitating some scales the fellow I did it for showed me that he very much admired. Many hand-rubbed coats of tung oil, then 4 thick topcoats, stacked stainless-brass washers and brass pins. This blade was ground evenly, but at an angle- not perpendicular. You can see this in the second to last photo. This made it a real bugger to get centered in the scales, but with some tweaking and an extra thrust bearing it turned out just fine- and doesn't interfere with a honing or stropping motion.

The last picture shows the lustrous finish. It was hard to send this beauty back! Hope you enjoy it, Will!