Thread: Jack's Joseph Allen restore

Hello all,
I work with a gentleman who's name is Mike. He is my mentor and a good friend. I have a lot of respect for him. His knowledge and his patience is second to none. He had a very good friend named "Jack". Jack passed away a few months ago. Mike had acquired his tool box. In his tool box was a straight razor, a Joseph Allen.
Mike brought it to me at work knowing that I shaved with them and did some restorations. He also brought me some of Jacks old files.
I made a one piece from one of Jacks old files. I did show it a while back here on SRP. That is the first couple of pictures. Secondly I restored Jack"s old Allen.
After listening to some stories that Mike shared with me from his and Jacks experiences working together, it sounds as though Jack was somewhat of a character. So while restoring I felt that leaving it a little rough would represent to Mike the character that Jack was.
To start the scales just crumbled as I filed on the pins. One scale seemed a bit lighter in color than the other as though it had seen some sun or "something".
I started working the razor down with sand paper and stopped short and polished. Some pitting still remained. I made new scales from some very dark green G10. Brass pins and double stacked washers were to finish. The wedge is the original lead wedge. A hone all the way up to finish on a 12K naniwa.
And yes I just shaved with it also. A very nice shave thank you.
I would like to thank Mike for the privilege of restoring Jacks razor and I will return it to you tomorrow.
Jack I hope you approve.
Comments are welcome!!

Ray

Great story, thnx for sharing.

The file razor looks great, does it still have the handle/spike on it? Impressive

Thanks for the kind words Shaggy. The file razor does have the spike on it. I will give you the link in this reply to see the whole restore. I didn't get a finished picture of the spike but you will see it in the rough grind picture. If you would like I can take another picture with the spike and send it to you in a pm. Again thanks for the reply!!
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...surection.html

Ray

Like Shaggy8675 said, great story behind that restoration. That one-piece razor looks deadly

Maciek.

Great information.
Love the looks of the one-piece...
Deadly!

I like that you kept the original wedge, I try to do that from time to time as well. Nice work! Hopefully we will see some more coming soon since you have quite the workshop and a good number of razors that need some love.

Zac

I personally love it when an old razor has a bit of character still on it. Nice work.

I think you did the guy proud with the job.

It's hard for me to know when to stop restoring on these old guys like this. You did great !

I think it was better left alone since it would eventually find its way back to Jacks daughter. I would hope it would remind her of him better, than a highly polished razor. I just don't think it would mean as much. When I look at my grandfathers tools that I acquired, they mean so much the way they are presently. If they were all new looking and knowing he worked as a machinist for over 40 years I don't think it would feel the same with no wear.
As for me I think I would have taken the razor a bit farther for myself. I tend to go farther than probably what I should. Thanks for looking. Thanks for the kind words all!!
Ray