Thread: I Name this - The Forgotten RAD

If you look closely at the photo close up of the pivot pin, you can see how the aluminum has pitted out. If it were ME, because I like doing strange and wonderful (maybe) things, I would countersink the pitted area, and make a matching "head" to seat in it. Brass would really pop with the aluminum.

Before I take this to the stones, going to have to decide what to do...

Magpie - thanks for the suggestions, sounds like the prudent thing to do...brass would look smashing....that may be the plan..

Here's a pic:

Before you decide on pins and such Andrew, Google dissimilar metal corrosion to get some info on compatible metals, lest ye re-pit that beautiful razor.
If the scales are aluminum you really want to stay with an electrically similar material for the pin and washers, if possible, to prevent re oxidizing. Or somehow seal the underside of the brass before repinning, where it touches the aluminum.
Basically the metal ions in the scale moved to your washers and pin at the pivot and left the craters behind.
Would suggest either washerless or plain carbon steel washers and pin to stay in the same anodic range.
Boats use aluminum, or tin sacrificial anodes designed to sacrifice their ions to the engine and such so those items don't rust while in water all the time, the anode does. Your scales started to do the same thing for the sake of the original washers and pin.
Course it took over a hundred years so not too big a problem really. Lol.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Before you decide on pins and such Andrew, Google dissimilar metal corrosion to get some info on compatible metals, lest ye re-pit that beautiful razor.
If the scales are aluminum you really want to stay with an electrically similar material for the pin and washers, if possible, to prevent re oxidizing. Or somehow seal the underside of the brass before repinning, where it touches the aluminum.
Basically the metal ions in the scale moved to your washers and pin at the pivot and left the craters behind.
Would suggest either washerless or plain carbon steel washers and pin to stay in the same anodic range.
Boats use aluminum, or tin sacrificial anodes designed to sacrifice their ions to the engine and such so those items don't rust while in water all the time, the anode does. Your scales started to do the same thing for the sake of the original washers and pin.
Course it took over a hundred years so not too big a problem really. Lol.

Think the most I may do is a little light sanding with 3000 grit wet/dry that I have, making sure not to lose the etch, just to clean it up...maybe a tap of two to tighten the pin, and then get it on the stones...but going to take your advice and before I do anything get a proper plan in place...it's in impeccable condition, grind is beautiful, and as I mentioned, appears to be a razor from a Salon that was never used...I have no idea how old it is, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's 1930-40's era??? Can't see it being a razor from the 1800's....??

You never told us how wide she is?

Originally Posted by prodigy

You never told us how wide she is?

If lines up perfectly with my Revisor 8/8, so I'd say 15/16 for sure...but to my eye, it's bang on 8/8...

Are the scales aluminum? Looks like oxidation. They could be sanded. I have several with dissimilar metals. Never an issue.

I've had aluminum frame tattoo machines that polished up like a new dime. Maybe leaving well enough alone, in terms of keeping the original scales, would be good with a nice polish on them. IMHO.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Are the scales aluminum?

I think they are, they are metal for sure. I thought from the pics they may be some type of "faux" scales, plastic made to look like metal or something, but they are metal without a doubt. "Ting" when you give them a little touch...

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've had aluminum frame tattoo machines that polished up like a new dime. Maybe leaving well enough alone, in terms of keeping the original scales, would be good with a nice polish on them. IMHO.

Good point, Birthday Boy!
It looks pretty nice as it is. Good old patina!