It's Shell Time! ptII

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06-12-2011, 10:25 PM
dirtychrome

6 Attachment(s)

It's Shell Time! ptII

These three I did as much as proof of concept as much as anything. Due to this, I didn't do anything to the blades other than sleeve the pivot, straighten any bent shanks and polish the rough stuff.

They are shell veneer aka inlay material, layed on 1/32 g10 liners. After liners cut, layered clear epoxy resin down, placed the veneer on that. Weighted the edges down to keep the shell from bowing up at the edges. Coat of clear on that. After dry, more clear coats to desired thickness. Then did the real shaping, sanding and polish.

First is an 11/16 Wade and Butcher Sheffield (no England on stamp). Red acrylic wedge, stainless washers, nickel rods. This is sea snail, or Donkey's Ear Shell. Named such since the natural shell is shaped like a donkey's ear. Different angles and lighting creates a real coloring difference.

I like this particular shell since the seams between shell pieces is the whole shell. Paua and Abalone on acrylic, that we often use on razor restores, has lots of straight strips of shell put together. Those seams are more angular, and not as natural looking as this IMO.

Many more full size images available here if wanted
WB Donkey Ear Shell

Attachment 71303
Attachment 71304

Second up is Paua shell on a Crown razor. Horn wedge, stainless washers, nickel rods. This veneer is the lip of many shells in a regular pattern instead of the angular strips we usually see. Due to this, when viewed from one direction it has the Iridescence shell we expect, but the from the other way it is predominantly green with black stripes. Sort of a Chameleon Zebra Paua

Many more full resolution images here if wanted.
Griffin Chameleon Zebra Paua

Attachment 71305
Attachment 71310

Last is Black Lip Mother of Pearl on a Pipe. Jade Ghost g10 wedge, stainless washers, nickel rods.

Many more full resolution images available here if wanted
Pipe Black Lip MOP

Attachment 71311
Attachment 71312
06-12-2011, 11:07 PM
Hirlau

Beautiful !
What I really noticed is the Black Lip Mother of Pearl on a Pipe; the "non-gloss" and choice of material on the scales and the small washers; make the razor look like a total original package. The scales and washers fit the blade, so to speak. I hope I explained this right.
06-12-2011, 11:17 PM
Str8Raz0r

Wow, really nice. I love the shell scales. I have to say the Paua shell with the ''Chameleon Zebra' stripes is my favourite out of all three, but they are all stunning. Thanks for sharing.
06-12-2011, 11:43 PM
Maxi

I love the last one. It reminds me of some colours I used to see back when I was in high school. :)

Now I only see those colours on Dirtychrome's scales!
06-13-2011, 12:00 AM
sharp

This inspires me. I love what you've done and I appreciate the full size pics. They really help me see the detail and the mastery at which they were executed.

Bravo!

Glenn
06-13-2011, 12:27 AM
jcsixx

Wow,

They all look amazing Walt! I especially like the 2nd set.
06-13-2011, 01:23 AM
str8fencer

Brilliant work, kudos!
06-13-2011, 02:23 AM
dirtychrome

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Beautiful !
What I really noticed is the Black Lip Mother of Pearl on a Pipe; the "non-gloss" and choice of material on the scales and the small washers; make the razor look like a total original package. The scales and washers fit the blade, so to speak. I hope I explained this right.

Thanks, I too like how it almost looks like some of the old celluloid that was done. I see I left a bunch of lint on that Black MOP, and some film from the polish I used. Darn it, taking photos is hard, lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Str8Raz0r

...I have to say the Paua shell with the ''Chameleon Zebra' stripes is my favourite out of all three, but they are all stunning...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcsixx

... I especially like the 2nd set.

That material worked out as a pleasant surprise really. The raw material is pretty ugly in its full size. Cutting the required section out of the full sheet, the smaller portion is much easier to have an attractive vision with.

Below image shows the two styles of Paua veneer. The raw veneer has been placed on blue and black g10, wetted down to get a feel for what it would look like coated. Bottom one is the style we usually see, top image is the shell used on this razor

http://straightrazors.me/str8pics/sh...pauasample.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxi

I love the last one. It reminds me of some colours I used to see back when I was in high school. :)
Now I only see those colours on Dirtychrome's scales!

haha. Someone mentioned that the top one reminded him about something in the 80's. That made me think if Crockett or Tubbs, of Miami Vice, used a straight, that one might have been it. I probably shouldn't share that, not much of a compliment towards my own work, lol
06-13-2011, 02:39 AM
sharptonn

WOW, Walt!:dropjaw: These are awesome! The Crown is something seldom (ok, never) seen. They are all remarkable and unique! Kudos for your development in this and your sharing of techniques and materials is typical of your generous nature! I love what you have done here, as usual! Keep em coming! Thanks! Tom
06-13-2011, 03:08 AM
bamabubba

Those are INCREDIBLE!!!!! Can't wait for Shell Part III :)
06-13-2011, 03:11 AM
onimaru55

Your joins are looking seamless. :tu Is the Crown one piece ???
06-13-2011, 01:37 PM
whavens

Great looking scales. Truly outstanding.
06-13-2011, 04:00 PM
Catrentshaving

Simply beautiful! Not much more to say :)
06-13-2011, 04:19 PM
BigJim

Wow. Utterly fantastic work Walt! I have to say the Chamelion Paua takes the cake for me. Those scales are phenomenal!

No I have to go find "It's Shell Time! ptI" as I missed it!

Peace,
06-13-2011, 05:20 PM
Zelenbakh

Very beautiful, stylish rasors. I hope your future works will be even better.

Patina of age adds charm to the pipe razor. Looks like a beauty queen.
06-14-2011, 12:23 AM
Zomax

This is my first time on the forum in over a month and opened right to this post. What a treat! After I ditto everyone's above remarks,
all that is left is WOW..WOW..WOW..WOW..WOW..WOW..WOW..WOW..WOW..WOW.. I Love it!!! Great job Walt.
06-14-2011, 12:40 AM
dirtychrome

Quote:

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Your joins are looking seamless. Is the Crown one piece ???

Haha, thanks, no definitely the old fashioned way, with sanding through the MicroMesh progression.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJim

...No I have to go find "It's Shell Time! ptI" as I missed it! Peace,

Few months back I posted a different four in various shell treatments here
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...ous-shell.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelenbakh

...Patina of age adds charm to the pipe razor. Looks like a beauty queen.

I think Patina is another of those love/hate things. Almost like the shell scales. Some people ,like me enjoy the look, and others don't. That's a good thing. If we all liked the same thing, the hobby may get boring, lol.

Also I knew If I wiped off the patina, then I would want to remove scratches, then the etching would go, then I'd wish I left the patina, haha
06-17-2011, 03:02 PM
BladeRunner001

Walt,
All I say without diluting the experience is: WONDERFUL :bow