Snagged a 5/8 Dubl Duck Wonderedge for $20 BIN

Sometimes, when you are in the right place at the right time, you can snag a great deal on Ebay.

I was just browsing a moment ago, and I noticed that a Pearlduck Wonderedge had just been listed as BIN on a Saturday evening. It had a BIN for $20. I snapped it right up.


RARE Wonderedge ' Dubl Duck ' Straight Razor Pearlduck Solingen Germany | eBay


Here's some photos from the auction:

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From the photos, the scales seem okay (no apparent cracks). There is some rust on the the blade, shank, and tang, but it looks like it should come off without too much effort. The edge seems a little jagged, but it looks like a tiny amount o breaknifing should yield a flat edge. I am optimistic that this should clean up nicely.

Now you can't complain about that at all....great catch and good eye!

Right place, right time, right price.
I hope it works out for you!

A little hard work, and she will be good as new! Great grab!

Chit .You hit the lottery. Even the Brass is worth the price of admission. Scrub a dub dub and your Ducks no Shlub.

I was wondering how much that would go for?
Nice purchase

The Wonderedge arrived and the scales were in nice shape. I hand sanded the blade progressively from 320 all the way to 12000. I was able to get out most of the blacker pitting, but some remained as patina. I was able to even out the jagged edge of the hones, and it eventually took a really nice edge when finished on a white ark and stropped on crox. I will give it a shave later in the week. Here's some pics:

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Keep a close eye on that one, looks like the scales are off gassing, very common with that cracked Double Duck ice scale.

You are also developing a sharp corner on the heel that can turn into a hook and as is, can cut you.
Next time you hone it, round that puppy off.

If it starts to rust lightly again, they are gassing and will need replacing or you will lose the blade.

Recently I discovered a gorgeous inlayed, French tortoise scaled, super shaver that has kicked off and the scales will have to go. It is a beauty, I hate doing it, but no choice.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

Keep a close eye on that one, looks like the scales are off gassing, very common with that cracked Double Duck ice scale.

You are also developing a sharp corner on the heel that can turn into a hook and as is, can cut you.
Next time you hone it, round that puppy off.

If it starts to rust lightly again, they are gassing and will need replacing or you will lose the blade.

Recently I discovered a gorgeous inlayed, French tortoise scaled, super shaver that has kicked off and the scales will have to go. It is a beauty, I hate doing it, but no choice.

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I think I was looking at that very razor, beautiful, thought it was tortoise as well...had a bid on it and then it went away! The scales can't be saved??

That's a mighty fine razor. Good luck with the restoration.

@Euclid,

Thanks for the tip on rounding the edge on the heel. I did not even notice that at first (I am always worried that the toe will cut me, but not the heel). That's a good thing to generally watch out for.

How sure are you that my scales were previously gassing? The rust seems to be almost all on one side of the razor, the spine, and a tiny bit on the tang. If the scales were gassing, wouldn't there by rust on both sides of the blade? I ask because I am not very familiar with the dynamics of gassing scales.

That's a bummer that your tortoise scales are gassing. I was not even aware that tortoise could gas (I thought only plastic scales gassed).

I'll back Euclid up on the cell rot. If you went from 320 and still have pitting, it was gassing off. The pattern of the pitting looks typical for cell rot. If the black specks show up again ( I am betting they do) take the scales off and at least save the blade. Keep it dry and don't let it get hot, keep an eye on it.


You still got a deal :<0)

These tortoise scales are celluloid, old Cell Tortoise are notorious for off gassing and will rust in the pattern of the molting.

Once they start to go it spreads, it could be that one side is going now but it will spread and eventually eat the whole razor. I have seen Double Duck blades that look like Swill Cheese, holes clear though.

The rust pattern will probably match up with the cracked ice pattern on your scales, Note the rust on the pivot is just where the blade is between the scales when closed.

Also note on the Tortoise, the scales are shrinking, from off gassing, that is why the inlay in the middle is buckled, often you will see scales where the wedge is sticking out of the scales all the way around, off gas shrinkage.

Another thing to look for is micro chipping on the edge, you may get a few shaves out of it then when you look at the edge it is full of microchips. The gas eats through the thinnest steel first, the edge.

10pups is a Double Duck expert, restored a gang load, and some gorgeous work, look up his work there are a bunch of post and videos on DD restos.

No, the scales can’t be saved, they will just get worst. I plan on putting the inlays on new Masecraft Tortuga so it should look similar, it is a great shaver, the blade is heavier that it looks.

Another good indication of celluloid gassing is the color of the inlays. They'll be rather dull and tarnished looking.

Good catch on the Duck but the scales are going.

Darn shame on that pretty French razor too.

I quit buying pocket knives with cell scales a lot of years ago due to the same problems. Got a couple of razor's with cell scales, but most of mine are horn, gutta percha, or ivory.

I wouldn't consider this a steal by any means (heavy hone wear plus messed up geometry - the toe I mean - and suspicious scales), but I'm glad you're enjoying the process of getting it shaving again. Reasonable money for some good restoration practice.

I would like to second that. Heavy, uneven honewear; ground down well into the ridge (which for a razor as hollow as this one is crucial for stability); and the scales have always been a problem. Would you have invested that much time into a lesser known brand?

Either way, I would keep that razor as far away from any others as possible. Those scales are contagious and have the potential to ruin an entire collection in astonishingly short time. Search this forum for "cell rot" and "anguish".