How to polish a brass razor

Hi. I own a brass Overlander by Karve. I much prefer polished brass over the bead blasted / matte brass. I do have a dremel. I was wondering what polish would work best to polish up a brass razor? I'd rather not go the sand paper route. Would Brasso or Flitz work or should I use some other sort of polishing compound?

I've also heard of Renaissance Wax, is that more to add a protective layer after polishing?

1. brasso
2.toothpaste and toothbrush scrub ...gently
3. renaissance wax .


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Brasso and Flitz would work as would Duraglit. I'm not sure the Dremel would be needed.

I would try Brasso first, but I think it works best only for removing patina, and has very little abrasive.
I'm not really familiar with Flitz, so I can't comment on it.
I fear that you would have to start with something like a #600 wet/dry (because the water really helps) sandpaper, work up to 1200 or so to flatten the surface, then use a buffing compound (brown tripoli I guess, or green) on a felt Dremel wheel.

Avoid the edges that clamp the blade as much as possible, for fear of changing the geometry of the cap and base plate where the blade exposure and gap is concerned.

You might also contact DFS member AlanH81 who has posted several polishing projects. Probably way better advice than mine.

I agree with John Rose regarding Alan. I found a YouTube video where a guy used a hand drill with polishing pads to carefully yet quickly put a shine on machined razors.








Video I used for idea

Be aware that brass oxidizes quickly so once you’ve removed the protective coating you will have to regularly polish the razor. Also, if too aggressive with the abrasives and the polishing you can alter the geometry of the razor and how it shaves. Polishing does remove metal.

Be aware that brass oxidizes quickly so once you’ve removed the protective coating you will have to regularly polish the razor.  Also, if too aggressive with the abrasives and the polishing you can alter the geometry of the razor and how it shaves.  Polishing does remove metal.

Great reminder here. And I was planning to come back to this thread to report that the shiny Gladius handle is oxidizing and is a darker gold color now. I have not used Renaissance Wax, and I did not use any other sealer, so my shiny handle isn't as light colored as it used to be.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Ye I don't want to get into sandpaper so I'm not changing the geometry. Thanks for posting the video.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Ye I don't want to get into sandpaper so I'm not changing the geometry. Thanks for posting the video.

Nobody sets out intending to change the geometry on their razor through polishing... it's just so shiny    Seriously, polishing compounds are just abrasives in a liquid /gel/cream suspension.  I think you should skip the power tools for now ( I know it's hard. They're power tools for crying out loud!)  and just use a Kiwi cloth wrapped around your index finger and just dip and polish until youre satisfied with the result.  It can take time but you can do it while binge watching something on Netflix.  This will work - I was in the military and an Air Cadet before that and I polished brass cap badges and buttons this way (shoes too but with shoe polish not Brasso) and don't let anyone tell you you can't remove material with polishing cream by hand.  I rubbed the feathers clean off that bird!  They're so much shinier that way.  

If you like shiny check out the gallery on Chris Evatt's site

http://www.razorplate.com/p/photo-gallery-2.html

I have used Autosol polishing cream ,an old (soft ) toothbrush and a piece of wool cloth to bring my Karve razors to mirror polish .Just before applying vintage patina* .

Polishing creams workbest for bringing
soft metals and alloys ( like aluminium,bronze,
brass,Ti grade 2 ,copper ,etc ) into mirror polished state.No need for power tools,whatsoever.

Better go slow with the work itself ,
thus use the manual way of gently rubbing .

*Vintage patina work :
https://1920razors.blogspot.com/?m=1
( I do not make those sets anymore )