Thiers Issard Project #1

I recently won an auction on eBay with 6 French made razors, 3 of them being Thiers Issard.
I unpinned the heavy, near wedge blade, unfortunately losing the old horn handles (they were trashed anyways) as I wanted this to be my first project.
Here are some pics:
3rd from the top
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...pshomopkci.jpg
Unpinned
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...ps6fxbxqmp.jpg

Here is where it stands now. I used some 320 grit and 600 grit to knock off the heavy stuff and followed it up with some 1000 grit wet dry. I then used metal polish and a rag for about 3 hours and this is the result.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...pssulotdj0.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...ps4mtdxajy.jpg

Here's where you all can help me out. I have the blade looking shiny, but being as this blade is estimated to be from mid to late 1800's, it has lot of superficial pitting. (See photo) Part of me wants to leave it looking a little rough so it shows it's rich history, the other part of me thinks about sending it out to one of you with a polisher and having you bring it to "new" look.
I am open to your opinions. Also, should I hone it first to make sure there is "good steel" that will hold an edge before I invest too much more time?

Lastly, I have zero idea what I want to do in regards to scales.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h7...psqg31pmtr.jpg

Well most guys like to be certain a blade can hold an edge before investing too much time into it. Sometimes the steel get fatigued and you have to take quite a bit off to get to good steel. I did get one all pretty once and it was unable to hold an edge. It was a full hollow and all the little specks that couldn't be seen easily with the naked eye were like little tubes into the steel. As soon as one was near the edge it would chip out. I still have it somewhere. I was suppose to leave it out as a reminder. As far as scales go I think there is a PDF in the library. If you cannot find it PM me and I will dig it up. It is drawings for a ton of different vintage razor scales. You can often get very good results from simple 0000 steel wool and WD-40 or polish. That is quite a project pile.

Are the scales salvageable?

I ask because I have a recently restored razor with the original scales. I would have written them off due to bug bites and de-laminating horn but the restorer got them back in shape. Another restored razor I own had broken Bakelite scales so I had matching scales made in horn. My preference is to try to keep things as close to original as possible.

The best solution usually is to duplicate the original scales, usually if you have both sides, even if broken or missing pieces, you can make a pattern.

Or…TI’s have a unique scale design on more modern razors, that would look good also. It is nice to have a pattern once the scales are finished in case you want to make another set.

I keep a book 7X10 in spiral notebook with a tracing of all the scales I remove, tracing the scales and the razor and noting the make and model and any ID stamping or decorations, for future reference. I also take photos and save all the old scales, except for cell rotting scales, collars, washers and wedges. Old scales are good for reference and making wedges from old material.

You can make a set of scales from cardboard or 1/8 in foam core and mock them up with bolts to see if it works on the razor, before you cut the actual scale. Some black horn or faux Tortoise would look killer on that blade.

With pitting, sometimes you have to decide if you can live with some pitting or remove a lot of metal, sanding or buffing. Bring it by and we can put it on the buffers.

The 2nd - 5th from the left are TI Spartacus razors.

Attachment 212728

good job!!
For me is good in this conditions...i have the idea that an old razor can have bit old signs of its history.
I have a similar french razor( TI too) and wasn't easy to made shave ready....so before of all...honed it!! :D :D i hope is very easy to sharp