Thread: Wet behind the ears

Hi, I've joined this forum to gain a bit of knowledge about caring for the razors my Grandpa collected in his retirement. He died 30 years ago and since then his collection has lain unloved.
I would like to know how to clean and oil them so that I don't do them any harm.
Cheers

Welcome to SRP. Post up some pics of a few so we can get an understanding of what shape they are in. Just to start, a little oil on the steal is a good thing. Just to cut down rust but if they are rusty then they need cleaned first.
Be sure to read the library as there is lot of great info and will help you to learn from maintenance to restoring to shaving.
You didnt say anything about shaving so do you plan on learning the use a straight razor? Or just to keep them in shape?

There are lots of people here that will be able to advise you. They will need to know what kind of razors they are, straights or DEs...

I assume that since you have joined this forum that they are straights, but we do have lots of members that also have DEs.

Some photos would be a great help too.

Also, you are most welcome to the forum. Good luck with your collection.

Thanks Porl, I won't be shaving myself, as it is a granddaughter I am. I said that with such an Irish accent, hehe.
But I will post some pics. Some feel balanced in the hand and some are beautiful in their simplicity or decoration and many seem to be German made. Most are in good shape and a couple have the blade eaten away with rust.
Cheers J

Thank you Gasman, I will post some pics. I will clean and oil the blades I expect the restoration threads will contain some gentle methods for that.
One day my boys and my husband will do away with their beards and they will be glad to choose their own razor from this collection.
Cheers J

Granddaughters can use straight razors too.

Tell your men that beards are so yesterday and that real men shave with straight razors

I wish I had some of my Grandfather's razors. I hope that you can get them shaving again that would be great.

This is the razor that belonged to my Grandpa's father. It comes with a note telling of its age 137 years. It is a W.Peres Solinger

The razor you show would take very little to put it back to work. As mentioned above, there are some ladies that do use straights. I've done my wife's legs, she loves it.

The simplest way to start with restoration is simple metal polish like Maas, Flitz, Mothers...you get the point. It's not going to hurt the razor and will remove a lot of the light rust. If there is deeper rust, you can opt to have a restoration specialist work on it or choose to get more aggressive and try some steel wool. Considering your lack of knowledge (please don't take as an insult) and those razors being priceless heirlooms, please don't resort to sandpaper.

Most of all, if you choose to work on the razors, USE CAUTION as a dull razor is sharper than most knives!

Originally Posted by GilbysGrandie

This is the razor that belonged to my Grandpa's father. It comes with a note telling of its age 137 years. It is a W.Peres Solinger

That will clean up nice and easy. Still takes care but that blade could be ready to be back in the hands of its heir and looking great in short order.

Hi and welcome aboard. There is a member here Joan who runs a knife supply who has a lot to do with razors. She is based in Tassie so might be worth contacting. Fairly sure she could help with any restoration needs as well. Will add a link for the knife site and if can find will add one to Pm through SRP

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Found it
http://straightrazorpalace.com/members/renspen.html