Union Cutlery Spike (Wednesday)

[mjhammer]

Hi again all,

I have a 7 day set of Union Cutlery Spikes, and some of them are not exactly 'pristine' razors. So one by one I have been going through them and restoring them to as close to original as I can.

So far I have completed Monday and Tuesday, with Monday having been re-honed and shave tested. Tuesday is due for a honing, and I just started on Wednesday today.

The things I wanted to accomplish on this razor were:

Safely remove the scales, clean and re-color the etchings to original.
Sand and polish the blade to near original (or better, you know how spikes come, pretty rough from the factory even)
Make my own domed washers and make my own peened brass pin.

I sanded and sanded, but it seems there is always going to be some pits that are just impossible to get out completely. I would have to sand until way to much metal had been removed for my liking. I went from 220 to 1000 W/D and then polished it with black, brown and green polishing compounds on my bench grinder with 6" buffing wheels installed. Since there are only 2 sides I have to swap out wheels when I swap out grits, as I have kept the very fine grinding wheel on the right side for those razors that just require and must has some additional metal removed.

I was able to accomplish everything I set out to do. I used 3/32 brass rod and 2 brass washers that I domed using a simple punch, a piece of iron with a 1/16 hole drilled in it. I started with the 6" brass rod in my vise, and peened over a small mushroom. I slid on a newly domed brass washer and assembled the razor on the rod. I cut the rod to length and then peen'd over both ends to the look you see it here. I think it will look better with more practice, but for my first ever true 'custom' pin, I'm quite happy. I used 2 stainless steel bearing washers for it. I don't know if the brass and stainless will react together, but I did it anyway. I can always cut it off and do it again if I need to.

The scales are original, but I had previously re-colored the etching with wax based automotive scratch sealer (original color) but during the cleaning process, much of it came out again. So, I re-colored it again after cleaning.

The razor even exceeded my own expectations as I was able to get a true mirror finish to her. I think it looks better now than it did when it left the factory, for sure. I have 8 other examples of the Union Cutlery variety, so I know.

It is still waiting it's turn at being re-honed, but I think I shall wait until every day of the week is completed and then hone Tuesday thru Sunday all together. That sounds like a great couple of evenings of honing to me!!

So, here she is, ready to go back into the rotation. Enjoy!!

M