Thread: Kelly Wedge

Well I had bounced back and forth on what to do with this awesome razor I got from a fellow member, from just using as-is, to cleaning it up myself, to a full restore. The tang reads "KELLY (SIGN OF GOLDEN RAZOR) 82 ARGYLL ST GLASGOW"
I decided it needed proper treatment, but I just don't have the skill to pull it off. There are many talented restorers here but have especially admired mycarver's work. He finished it up today and I can't wait to get my hands on it next week.
The scales are black horn with lead wedge. I wanted to go as original as possible. He even tried to replicate the steel finish and I think it came out fantastic.

Here are a couple before and after shots. Enjoy - I know I sure will!

very nice, the blade has a nice glow to it but still looks "lived in" kudos to you both.

You got a jump on me buddy. I was in the shop working on another surprise for you.
Those shots were from my phone as they were "in the process" pics to keep RoyalCake up to date on my progress.
Here are a few more.
I found that initial repair just amazing. It gives me ideas for new scales. Here it is apart. Somebody took some time to make this up.
There was quite a bit of pitting on the blade especially around the nose. So we decided a brushed satin finish would compliment the blade where a polished finish would only serve to highlight the flaws. And we also felt this was more fitting to the overall look of the blade and gave it some harmony. Would have seemed odd with a polished blade, with pits, and the shaft being what it is.
This keeps more of a well cared for original look.

And you've seen the results but here are a couple more if you don't mind.

And here Shane is what kept me in the shop.
The blade was in very nice condition with the exception of pitting on both the front and the back near the nose of the blade. The photos don't do the scales justice as they are a rainbow of color.

Originally Posted by mycarver

And here Shane is what kept me in the shop.
The blade was in very nice condition with the exception of pitting on both the front and the back near the nose of the blade. The photos don't do the scales justice as they are a rainbow of color.

Excellent! Man that's a beauty. It'll be like Christmas next week. I bet the flake in those scales sparkle now.
Thanks Mark, and again, just wonderful work there.

Man I love the creative old scale-fixes people did (and sometimes still do).

But I really can't complain about the new scales, 'cause they're lovely!

And wow, the 50's & 60's Japanese razors had really impressive scales!

Oh man, my photos don't do them justice. They're like a rainbow and so deep in luster. You almost need sunglasses to look at them.The flake is like the original Banana seat , if any of you remember them. But as you turn them the colors are blazing. Here they look like little silver dots. Not even close.

and the repair! Wow. That blows me away. When I first saw it in photos I thought it was something like a razor I restored where the wedge was very similar to this from the factory.
the time and thought someone put into that, to save his razor, is commendable.
I tip my hat to him.
It may be junk to some but I saved it and will send it back with the razors. That's a keeper.
If that guy was in my shop, with my tools, imagine the scales he could build!

I've got a Japanese straight with sorta similar scales, except the one I have is predominantly gold flecks with the occasional rainbow one. It's such a neat effect! The one I've seen that I like best had tiny pieces of gold wire, all less than 2mm long, dispersed so they all hung at different angles.

Of the razors I've got, currently my favorite vintage repair has the entire front scale replaced with a repurposed, hand-made wooden ruler (all the markings are on the inside of the scales). It's a perfect size and feature match for the original horn scales! And whoever did it even kept the original washers (though they're a bit flattened after being repinned).

Zak...irony abounds...the Glasgow razor "Cake" has came from me...as did your Hundred year old ruler scaled beast! I give up ALL the quirky Hostoric blades and scales don't I? LOL...Glad you two guys got them!

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

I've got a Japanese straight with sorta similar scales, except the one I have is predominantly gold flecks with the occasional rainbow one. It's such a neat effect! The one I've seen that I like best had tiny pieces of gold wire, all less than 2mm long, dispersed so they all hung at different angles.

Of the razors I've got, currently my favorite vintage repair has the entire front scale replaced with a repurposed, hand-made wooden ruler (all the markings are on the inside of the scales). It's a perfect size and feature match for the original horn scales! And whoever did it even kept the original washers (though they're a bit flattened after being repinned).