I got this blade in a lot of restoration bits, and it was in pretty rough shape- as you can see, some very deep pitting. I wanted a razor to practice honing on, and that I would feel comfortable loaning out to people to learn with, and I thought this would fit the bill. I used 400 grit to get the worst of the scratches and discoloration off, then put a 600 grit satin finish on it. I left the pits and some stains, and figure this is the John Wayne of razors...

The scales are a somewhat novel design I came up with this summer. I wasn't sure if the shape or the wood would work, and there were definitely some things I would do differently....

But pretty good for a dorm room project, if I say so myself....and I can balance it on my tungsten file!