After using the Parker 34R I recently acquired I have been spending a fair bit of time checking out straights online.I have taken a liking to the Dovo,(fake) Pearl handle 98 5810.Just f*cken gorgeous.Due to life being what it is for me,which is pretty good BTW,finances at this time dictate that myself and a nice new Dovo 98 5810 will not be meeting for some months. I had to go to town yesterday,so before picking the kids up from school I wet to every Op Shop there is in the place.Six of them actually. I asked if they ever got any old razors in either DE or straights and the general answer was rarely. One elderly lady though said she had a couple of DE's at home and she would bring them in "next week". So will definitely be back to see her.
So,no razors to be had.I thought to check out the only barber in town,but the shop was closed.All good. Went back in today,got talking asking if she knew anyone or anywhere I could find an old straight."Not really.I have these but most were gifts and I don't wish to part with them." She grabbed 4 straights down from a shelf.A beautiful horn handle 6/8 Bengall,immaculate condition,an old Gotto with blade in excellent condition but broken scale,(given to her by an old monk,she said) and another that I didn't get a very good look at.Then opened up this rusted over blade and handed it to me saying "It's yours.Clean it up and see what you can do with it".
Many thanks,big smiles and a handshake later I left with this...
Training night tonight so was busy,got the girls off to bed and got the vinegar and steel wool out.Then some 400 and 1000 grit wet and dry,and have discovered I now own a George Butler & co. "Butler's MARVEL" 11/16
Blade cleaned up pretty well considering condition,fair bit of patina but it's sound and edge has no serious damage,it will need a bevel reset and good hone and will be right.I could get it cleaner on my lapidary wheels but not real keen to do that.I'll get one of my camera bodies and macro lens out tomorrow to get some decent shots.
No,it's not a new shiny Dovo,but it's my first real straight.
So,no razors to be had.I thought to check out the only barber in town,but the shop was closed.All good. Went back in today,got talking asking if she knew anyone or anywhere I could find an old straight."Not really.I have these but most were gifts and I don't wish to part with them." She grabbed 4 straights down from a shelf.A beautiful horn handle 6/8 Bengall,immaculate condition,an old Gotto with blade in excellent condition but broken scale,(given to her by an old monk,she said) and another that I didn't get a very good look at.Then opened up this rusted over blade and handed it to me saying "It's yours.Clean it up and see what you can do with it".
Many thanks,big smiles and a handshake later I left with this...
Training night tonight so was busy,got the girls off to bed and got the vinegar and steel wool out.Then some 400 and 1000 grit wet and dry,and have discovered I now own a George Butler & co. "Butler's MARVEL" 11/16
Blade cleaned up pretty well considering condition,fair bit of patina but it's sound and edge has no serious damage,it will need a bevel reset and good hone and will be right.I could get it cleaner on my lapidary wheels but not real keen to do that.I'll get one of my camera bodies and macro lens out tomorrow to get some decent shots.
No,it's not a new shiny Dovo,but it's my first real straight.
,gave it a hone and stropped on some newspaper.Very happy with the result.
