Thread: I Pearce ..

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

You mentioned making a failed video due to lighting. But if you have other stills from that video at different stages in the operation, perhaps you could post these here like you did with the ones you posted? Stills with written commentary could work quite well, if they are accessible from your end, without needing to make a new video.

My interest has to do with a 19th century razor that is currently en route to me and needing lots of touch-up correction. I have a belt sander with a couple of 6-inch diameter wheels, smaller than yours for sure, but maybe I could use it for restoring things in a similar way following your example.

Hi Brontosaurus,
I dont think it is some thing that can be copied because each person would have different skill levels ,methods, understanding. It takes time, belts,razors figuring out how to do what with what belt, wheel, speed.
The hardest part is the blade face because you are removing metal from the spine and the edge and needing a straight ,even bevel at the end. Taking into consideration you probably will be dealing with an imperfect razor to start with.
An expert razor grinder told me , go and do a few hundred razors and then we can talk about it, or words to that effect
Only practice and self teaching can get you there.

Saying that i am glad to give any help or tips i can ..

Platen Head for those flat angled parts on the lower tang.


Small wheel for the curly tail area.

Joseph-I totally get what you are saying: that you can't really tell/teach someone how to use a grinder on a razor with delicacy and precision. It's one of those things you have to learn by doing.

That said. I use a 2x72" grinding setup to shape and contour my re-scales mostly. I have the flat platen and various sized wheels, and typically do a progression (again for scale materials only) of 60-grit for rough-hogging up to 800-grit J-Flex sanding belts. If I want a lot of polish, I have 1k and 2k diamond belts and a buffer I can use. I learned from a local knife-maker how to use the grinding belts, and also through a lot of trial and error (and screw-ups) on my own.

What intrigues me is the idea of using various polishing compounds on felt belts (which I haven't even heard of until now) on actual razor steel. I really can't see me doing delicate re-grinds and removing lots of steel, but as I've got a fairly experienced touch on the sanding belts on scale materials at this point, I don't think it would be too difficult to transfer that to felt belts and compound for razor steel, hopefully.

Just curious-What is your source for felt belts? (Assuming a UK source for you?). Do they come in different "grits" sort of like ScotchBrite belts? Assuming I can source some in the US (I haven't looked yet), I may give this a try. Thanks for any info. you can share, and I appreciate the continuing inspiration your work provides. Aaron/SHD

Hi Aaron,
Here is a link to the felt belts https://saic-uk.co.uk/product/belt-c...ng-felt-belts/.
I can give you one of mine if you like, just pm me.
They are no grit, you use them like a cotton mop, just add a rouge or whatever.
They make a bit of a mess with dust but it is weird how they do the same job as a mop.
My grinder wheels are rubber at the outer part that with the give in the belt works fine.
The only thing is that a buffer does the the same maybe better and easier? That is debatable.
I think the key is to use and incorporate all machines.
Cheers
Joseph

Thanks for the additional pics. I also understand what you are saying about practice, practice, practice. My restorations have always been done with small pieces of sandpaper and blocks and dowels of wood, followed by steel wool, by hand. The idea of using a belt sander rather than a buffing wheel interests me, hence my curiosity. I definitely would want to practice with some beater blades first before introducing something precious.

Thanks for the offer, Joseph-I just found a US supplier. I need to order some other belts anyway; I'll just add a felt belt to the order and start messing around with it on beater blades as Brontosaurus mentioned above.

Beautiful razor... this is mine.... N. 1

wow.
I'm lost for words