first restoration project

**Scotsman** · 09-13-2013, 09:58 AM

I bought this Joseph Rodgers and Sons barbers notch razor with horn scales from e bay for a few quid and thought I'd give it a restore as I've followed threads in this forum for a few months now, the razor is termed "The Gentlemans razor".

It's a post 1891 razor as it has "England " stamped on the tang.

It was in a very dirty condition when received and I mean diiiirty,and with the scales being heavily marked by someone who had tried unsuccessfully to remove the scales. It's blade was very dirty but no rust (phew )and had the original lead wedge, it also had good clear etching on both blade and tang. The blade was very loose with the scales pulling away from the pivot pin.
Restore - for your comments please.
I have tried to keep it as original as possible with the nice lead wedge and have only replaced the pins and collars ( with brass ones ) also have added brass pivot thrust washers.
photos below, left to right- first 2 pre restore rest post restore ( just in case you couldn't tell the difference )
Scales- gave the scales a good rub down with 80-1500 grit in progression to get rid of the dirt and the heavy marks, then soaked them in neatsfoot oil to revitalise them. Finished them with scratch remover paste and then lots of elbow grease and brasso to give them a high lustre finish.
Blade- cleaned the blade using 80-1500 grit in progression and finished with scratch remover paste and then lots of elbow grease again with peek polish. I tried to get as near to mirror finish as possible without compromising the etching on the blade and tang and there is still a tiny amount of piiting right on the nose of the blade but I didn't go any further 'cos it may have altered the nose profile slightly.
I finally reset the bevel using tape and 1k Norton then honed it with Norton 4k / 8k and finally 12k Naniwa.
I'm pleased IMHO with the results
thanks for reading

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