Thread: Parkin Cast Steel restoration

Outstanding transformation...how did you get the satin finish like that on the sides of the balde? by hand alone?!

Originally Posted by ovidiucotiga

Outstanding transformation...how did you get the satin finish like that on the sides of the balde? by hand alone?!

Thanks! Yes, the finish is done by hand. First I get the blade faces close to a mirror finish, hand sanding up to 3000 grit. Then I start applying the satin finish, working spine to edge back down the grits. Sort of like painting. A base coat of 2000 grit, then a coat of 1500, then 1000, then in this case 800. After that, one time with 2000 grit coated with 1 micron diamond lapping paste to soften the finish. This method was inspired by comments in this thread http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...in-finish.html Many thanks to the guys who contributed info there.

this is stunning! this blade shape reminds me a lot of the sweeney todd razors!
I too love that satin finish, I think if I ever make a razor this will be wha I base it off!

Yes! amazing job. Beautiful razor.

Very nice!

Did the wedge have three holes?

The razor oughta be 1790-1805. Not a lot of those going around in shaving shape, and fewer still that haven't got a case of heel-tooth from pasted strops or overhoning!

I've found that it's a little weird to shave with them initially, but it pretty quickly becomes normal. I've never felt in danger of cutting my thumb while using one.

Wow. Excellent restoration. Perfect bevel. Well done!

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

Very nice!

Did the wedge have three holes?

The razor oughta be 1790-1805. Not a lot of those going around in shaving shape, and fewer still that haven't got a case of heel-tooth from pasted strops or overhoning!

I've found that it's a little weird to shave with them initially, but it pretty quickly becomes normal. I've never felt in danger of cutting my thumb while using one.

Thanks, very much appreciated!

The wedge did not have three holes, just one. I think it might be tin, like you were mentioning in a different thread. Seemed harder than lead when I was cleaning it.

The scales had an extra hole that was plugged with a metal post on both sides, touching the wedge but not going through it. These were hidden under the original collars, been there all along it seems and I'm not sure why they would make them like that.

I believe the pins were designed to keep the wedge in place but that's the first I've seen that did not go through the wedge. Beautiful restoration work.

Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

Thanks, very much appreciated!

The wedge did not have three holes, just one. I think it might be tin, like you were mentioning in a different thread. Seemed harder than lead when I was cleaning it.

The scales had an extra hole that was plugged with a metal post on both sides, touching the wedge but not going through it. These were hidden under the original collars, been there all along it seems and I'm not sure why they would make them like that.

Ah, you've found one of the other mysterious old scale tricks. The under-washer pin. I can't recall for certain if I've seen it myself, or just pictures (I think I have one, but haven't fully disassembled it yet), but I know I've come across it.

The 'solid' tin wedge makes me think it's 1805-ish.

Very, very nice. Beautiful job!