my first attempt at restoration

I originally got this razor just for the scales and to practice honing.

This razor (5/8 Wostenholm pipe with bone scales) was full of surprises.

Before restoration.
Attachment 177442Attachment 177443

first (bad regrind) and second (slightly warped blade, no pictures) surprise.
Attachment 177444

third surprise after removing the scales. active rust.
Attachment 177445

After some MAAS and a lot of elbow grease.
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I only have temp. screws instead of pins as I am not sure if I am done with it or not. Before going further, I decided to hone it up.

After 1 hour going back and forth between 1k and 3k, I put tape on the spine. I spent another hour+ on it from 1k (pass thumbnail test) to 3k (cut armhair) before finally going to 8k (cut armhair). Then i spent 30 mins stropping from Crox to webbing to leather to finally get it to treetop (shave ready for me). I know the bevel was not even but I saved up 3 days of growth and really wanted to try it that night. The last surprise was how well it shaved. I have shave with it 3 times already. The middle edge was gone by the third shave so no bbs as I didn't want to force it (but still a decent shave).

I will pin and hone it again this weekend. I will probably go at the pits some more beforehand.

Progressing well,
I love it when bad photos turn out to be one of your favourite razors

Nice save on a cool Wosty.

If you can shave with it the battle is won, keeping it shave ready is where the war begins. Nice project. I like a more aged look from a vintage razor, mirror polishing is ok for some but keeping patina and a few blemishes is to me how a vintage should look. Nice

I am considering it keeping it with the current look now as the black stuff is in the pits instead of on the surface. i really killed the edge the first time getting it cleaned up. there was no way i was going to get a mirror finish. i don't think the black stuff was patina as it had ridges. i think someone used a rust converter on it.

maintaining the edge should be easier once i set a proper bevel.