Editing Straight Razor Grading

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== Introduction ==
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While determining an exact grade requires some skill, getting a ballpark idea is within the realm of everyone who can read this page. Straight razor grading is done evaluating separately three aspects: the blade, marks and decorations on the blade, the scales. Following a long tradition of coin collecting, the nomenclature is as follow: MS = mint; EF = extremely fine; VF = very fine; F = fine; VG = very good; G = good; AG = allmost good; Fair = fair; Basal = basal state. Results are expressed in this way: [''blade'', ''marks&decorations'', ''scales'']. In case of evidently not orignal scales, the respective grade must be indicated between round brackets. This is an example of straight razor grading notation: [F,VG,(MS)]. For each grade (see below), one element of the list is enough to configure the razor part as belonging to the considered grade (ex: a blade with dark blemishes is VG even without traces of oxidation).



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== Blade ==
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'''MS''': as new and never circulated; no traces of honing;

'''EF''': as new; barely visible and uniform honing wear;

'''VF-F''': no traces of oxidation; little darker blemishes, patina, visible and uniform honing wear;

'''VG-G''': little traces of oxidation, dark blemishes, patina, little changes of the blade shape (simmetry, grind, size) due to honing wear;

'''AG''': extended traces of oxidation, extended changes of the blade shape due to honing wear;

'''Fair''': cracks, heavy oxidation, heavy honing wear;

'''Basal''': you can identify the lump of metal as being a razor. 



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== Marks and decorations ==
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'''MS''': as new, never circulated; 

'''EF''': as new;
 
'''VF-F''': slightly worn but completely visible; 

'''VG-G''': worn or damaged but completely visible; 

'''AG''': partially invisible; 

'''Fair''': almost completely invisible or unreadable (just traces of their existence). 

'''Basal''': completely deleted.



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== Scales ==
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'''MS''': as new, never circulated; 

'''EF''': as new, no marks or blemishes; 

'''VF-F''': small marks or blemishes, no chips cracks or deformation; original pins, if loose still with centered action; 

'''VG-G''': marks, small chips or deformations; original pins; 

'''AG''': evident chips or deformation; pins could have been replaced; 

'''Fair''': cracked; replaced or lacking pins;

'''Basal''': fragments of scales.



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== Visual guide ==
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[[Image:StraightRazorGrading.jpg]]


--[[User:Clavichord|Clavichord]] 22:22, 19 April 2009 (UTC)


[[Category:Historic_Shaving_Tools]]
[[Category:The Straight Razor]]