First full restore

[ncraigtrn]

So I have a friend who had a straight that was his great grandfathers and hr recently asked me to restore it but leave it looking antique but usable. Like a dummy I didn't take pictures until I had unpinned it and cleaned up the blade. The whole thing was toast and had it been a eBay buy I would've required payment from the seller to even take it. But most damage was surface crusties. And some light rust. However the frown was bad. Look at this.

So I then went about shaping the blade by scribing the curve of the spine using the highest point in the frown as my baseline. Once that was straightened I reshaped the heel to try and get the shoulder out of the way. And ended up with this.

[ncraigtrn]

Attachment 168419 Then I went ahead and fabbed up some scales. I used Ipe white handle liner as well as the original brass collars from the original pins. What I ended up with was a cross between a kris-kraft and the blackpearl. Its awesome and my buddy loves it so far.
Attachment 168419Attachment 168419Attachment 168419Attachment 168419Attachment 168419

[silverloaf]

have you had a chance to test shave yet? lets hear a shave report when you get the edge whipped into shape!

[ncraigtrn]

have you had a chance to test shave yet? lets hear a shave report when you get the edge whipped into shape!

Not yet I'm gonna put an edge on her today. And maybe shave tonight. We will see....

[ncraigtrn]

I went ahead and put her through my progression.

Had to use 3 prices of tape and rolling x strokes.

King 1k- sets of 10 laps starting with heavy slurry and moderate pressure. Adding water every ten laps and reducing pressure to just over blade weight. Did maybe 70-80 laps. Which was when it would shave arm hair with moderate pressure.

Strop on scrub leather-20 laps. Just to make sure the edge is aligned.

King- 6k no change here. Heavy slurry to start just water to finish. Adding water every 10 laps and reducing pressure down to just the weight of the blade. About 80 Laps. Which is when it would cut arm hair at skin level with little more than the weight of the blade.

Another- 20 on scrub

C12K- just water. Sets of 20 laps. 120 laps or so. This is a very slow cutting stone which I like because I have a little forgiveness. After this tree topping hair was possible.

20- on scrub

I use the back of a faux leather strop. Which is like felt and I load it with CrOx (just once not every time). Here I do 20 laps and wipe the blade on a towel then do 20 on scrub again. At this point I'm passing hht on course *cough* hair.

On to leather strop for about 100 laps which is about when I could really hear and feel it singing.

Now it'll pop a fine hair and I mean super baby fine at 3/4" from where I'm holding it in an hht.

How was the shave???

Well it was amazing. Did no prep just a splash of water and shave atg just at the corner of my jaw and it was like butter.

I mark this restore a success!!!!!

[pinklather]

I'd say your friend owes you more than a beer.

As you mention - seller would have to pay you to take. But for a friend to proudly have an ancestor's blade...

'Nice work.

[ncraigtrn]

I'd say your friend owes you more than a beer.

As you mention - seller would have to pay you to take. But for a friend to proudly have an ancestor's blade...

'Nice work.

It was a lot of fun. Learned a lot about what my limits are verses what I think they are. I won't be hesitant to try more difficult restores now.

I have maybe 10 hours on this one and could cut it down to 6-8 if I were to do this exact restore again.

The next one is either a wb medium hollow square point. Or a clover brand barbers notch.

Haven't decided yet.

[ncraigtrn]

So my friend is rapidly switching over to straight razor shaving. We had a little info session last night and he's full steam ahead.

Pretty cool seeing others getting excites and interested in straights.