Thread: MJ Higgens Shoulderless with Pewter End Cap...

Stunning work Sir! Been working on a couple of old blades to get a good satin finish but they sure don't look like That!!
Any tips you can direct towards use rookies on how you got such a beautiful finish would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Originally Posted by NewellVW

Stunning work Sir! Been working on a couple of old blades to get a good satin finish but they sure don't look like That!!
Any tips you can direct towards use rookies on how you got such a beautiful finish would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks Newell! Really the only tips I can offer are do be patient, and go slowly with a soft touch. In other words I'm just very stubborn about when I'm finished and satisfied. Also...I seldom even with deeply pitted blades use very coarse grits. I just start and finish with finer grits of abrasive and it just takes time.

Thanks WP34. Been slowly reading back thru 7-8 years of the restoration thread and it has been fun watching everyone's progression and learning processes. Lot O' talent in this forum and I hope to learn at least a fraction of what has been shared on here!!
Watched with enthusiasm your progression from mirror finish to satin finish which I find very appealing and yours is just stunning!!
Just getting started with the restoration side of this addiction and pretty limited to hand tools and sanding. The operative word you used was Patience! So far it has been fun but frustrating at times. Look forward to more of your work!!

Originally Posted by NewellVW

Thanks WP34. Been slowly reading back thru 7-8 years of the restoration thread and it has been fun watching everyone's progression and learning processes. Lot O' talent in this forum and I hope to learn at least a fraction of what has been shared on here!!
Watched with enthusiasm your progression from mirror finish to satin finish which I find very appealing and yours is just stunning!!
Just getting started with the restoration side of this addiction and pretty limited to hand tools and sanding. The operative word you used was Patience! So far it has been fun but frustrating at times. Look forward to more of your work!!

Thank you Newell!

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

I just finished this MJ Higgens Shoulder-less with black horn scales and a pewter end-cap...been working on it for awhile...

Beautiful! Great work. I have yet to get into two tone finishes. Really want to, there's just so much I'm still catching up on.
Yesterday I just saw my first pewter end cap, didn't know what I looking at (bad pics) until i just saw yours, cool coincidence! It's coming in the mail.. I hope its an M.J. Higgins. I have one, they are great Sheffields! Very little known of the company.
Thanks for the pics!

Thanks Mike! I love the 'shoulder-less' profile razor...it's one of my favorites... and I Really love the look of a two -tone finish for a shoulder-less razor. In fact I'm working on a really beauty right now: a vintage circa 1900 shoulder-less Case Brothers, Little Valley NY.

Good Luck with your new razor...

Thanks, if I ever get around to it... Lol I've got a few projects I'm working on, bandsaw blade just broke and spare doesn't fit, gonna break out the little hand saw, micro mesh got mixed up in the mail, in-laws are threatening a happy familiar get together, I have a friend coming in from out of state to help clean, oil and catalog about a hundred razors coming in the mail. Doubles my collection but I'll need to sell off half of them to ease the cost.. It's a busy month!

Late to the thread but to share the same sentiment as all the others, Spot on smooth and classy Higgens Mike. The finish is just perfect. Closest I've come to two tone is blued tang on a beau brummel. I agree that the shoulderless blades really showcase the effect. Look forward to the SOTD post.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Late to the thread but to share the same sentiment as all the others, Spot on smooth and classy Higgens Mike. The finish is just perfect. Closest I've come to two tone is blued tang on a beau brummel. I agree that the shoulderless blades really showcase the effect. Look forward to the SOTD post.

Thanks Mike! Always very nice to hear from another craftsman such as yourself. I've yet to try the 'blued tang' effect, but I do have a couple that would be perfect for it if I ever get around to finishing them.

Many years ago spent a summer working for a professional painter, painting houses. He always drummed into us, that finish painting is 98 percent preparation. The finish is only as good as the prep, and that is where 98 percent of your time should be spent.

This is no different, a true satin finish cannot hide defects, it will only highlight them, because each satin stria has to be perfectly straight.

The trick to a perfect satin finish, is to take it to a perfect mirror, then apply a satin finish over the mirror.

Mikes work is the best satin I have seen. When I grow up I want to be like him, or at least do a satin finish like his.