BJ Eyre w/Barber Notch & Purpleheart

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05-31-2009, 09:47 PM
xChris

BJ Eyre w/Barber Notch & Purpleheart

Well, it took me about 10 months to finally finish this restoration project. I actually got something that looks like a usable razor too. The only thing I have left to do now is touch up the finish on the scales (Watco Butcher Block Oil & Finish), and hone it.

I managed to do this with a dremel and hand tools. I don't think that I will be doing another one anytime soon with just those implements. I did learn some things, and there is definitely a lot of areas that I can improve on for next time. I'm glad there are some real artisans around here (e.g., Bill, Gary, Peter, Joe, Glen, Max, Alex, & many more of you around here) that do this regularly, because otherwise I'd have a heap of rusted, ugly blades and razors around my place. A whole bunch of you on this forum inspired and motivated me to complete this project. Without your sharing of your own projects, sharing ideas, and photo posting, I wouldn't have gotten anything like seen in the below photos.

So, below are photos of the beginning work and how it ended up. The wood scales are purpleheart, with a smoke gray plexiglas [tapered] wedge, and brass fitings (pins, domed pin washers, & washers between razor & scales @ pivot). I added the notch myself; there looked to be some previous damage/repair made before I acquired this of "the bay" -- wierd angled slant at the tip with no real finish treatment (i.e., faceting) on the end. It is a little shorter now, but it doesn't look too funny.

Please feel free to provide feedback & critiques.

Made the notch, and slipped with the Dremel...
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...tsd-sp1-02.jpg

Putting a finish on the razor's tip...
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...tsd-sp1-03.jpg

Roughed in notch...
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...tsd-sp1-04.jpg

Smoothing up the notch...
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...tsd-sp1-05.jpg

Shaping the scales...
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...tsd-sp1-08.jpg

Testing the scales & blade...
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...tsd-sp1-10.jpg
05-31-2009, 09:47 PM
xChris

Completing the restoration...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...to-done-01.jpg

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...to-done-02.jpg

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...to-done-03.jpg

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...to-done-04.jpg
05-31-2009, 09:52 PM
antioch510

Great work! Looks good!

Steve
05-31-2009, 10:16 PM
bpave777

Looks fantastic Chris. Nice work! That's a keeper.
05-31-2009, 11:31 PM
dkapp

This really turned out nice! The razor really did need the barbers notch. Great mod! :tu
Dave
06-01-2009, 12:48 AM
onimaru55

It's a whole bunch of work ain't it :)

Nice job & beautiful piece of Purpleheart :rock:
06-01-2009, 01:10 AM
xChris

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkapp

The razor really did need the barbers notch. Great mod! :tu
Dave

I thought so too, and so it got one. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by onimaru55

It's a whole bunch of work ain't it :)

Nice job & beautiful piece of Purpleheart :rock:

Man, you said it! You and others make it look easy, just knockin em out!
06-01-2009, 01:48 AM
onimaru55

Man, you said it! You and others make it look easy, just knockin em out![/QUOTE]

Knockin em out ?? Feels as slow as a wet wick while I'm workin' :roflmao:roflmao:roflmao
06-01-2009, 03:28 AM
smythe

Amazing transformation... looks like the barber's notch will work too (open one handed) and not buried in the scales when closed. Awesome scales, the grains really stand out.... can't find anything to criticize about this restore… Fine work man.
06-01-2009, 03:56 AM
dnjrboy

Nice work on the purpleheart. :bow
06-01-2009, 04:02 AM
mbhodges

Nice modifications and work on the scales. You will enjoy that!
06-02-2009, 02:16 AM
xChris

Quote:

Originally Posted by smythe

looks like the barber's notch will work too (open one handed) and not buried in the scales when closed. Awesome scales, the grains really stand out....

I hadn't thought about that! Actually, I remember thinking that I better be careful, or I was going to end up with a Spanish point instead. :fim: :D

I got the scale blanks and fastening hardware from Vlad when he was selling these (& still frequenting the forums :( ). I'm glad to have finally put a set of them to some good use.
06-02-2009, 03:49 AM
mrbhagwan

That turned out very nice! :rock:

Did you "toast" the purpleheart any, or is that color from the oil?
06-02-2009, 09:04 PM
Joeman

Wow, better than anything I could ever hope to achieve. Very nice.

Joe
06-02-2009, 09:59 PM
xChris

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbhagwan

That turned out very nice! :rock:

Did you "toast" the purpleheart any, or is that color from the oil?

No, I didn't try any "scorch" techniques. The color seen is simply from the grain and the applied finish.

Here's a photo of the purpleheart as the original wood blank (second piece from left). I got the purpleheart and the other wood blanks shown (plus all of the finishing hardware) from Vlad Schnieder (SRP ID = Vladsch) while he was selling the kits, and was still frequenting the forums.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...tsd-sp1-01.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeman

Wow, better than anything I could ever hope to achieve. Very nice.

Joe

I wouldn't be so sure. I could have easily said that too before finishing this razor.
06-03-2009, 01:47 AM
treydampier

Beautiful work. I really like the purpleheart. Your pice there is one of the prettiest I have seen. Great work! Thanks for sharing and I'll bet she'll shave as good as she looks.
06-04-2009, 12:47 AM
xChris

Quote:

Originally Posted by treydampier

Beautiful work. I really like the purpleheart. Your pice there is one of the prettiest I have seen. Great work! Thanks for sharing and I'll bet she'll shave as good as she looks.

I still have to hone it up, but I hope it does shave well. I'm expecting it from a Sheffield razor. :)