A well dressed Wapi?

Hi Folks
I have been enamored of the French point razors and I believe the Wapi blade is a good example of their style and grace. Howsomever, the factory scales are less than delightful!
I decided to do something about that! Some old acrylic plus about three hours did the trick. No power equipment used except to cut out and drill the pin holes. Been a while since i scaled a razor from scratch and it was a lot of fun! Sanded through 2000 and then Mother's polish. I didn't go to a high polish because..I didn't! A trip to the Y/G Thuringian she drops hairs again and is ready for a speed shave tomorrow! I like the gunstock style on some blades but not all.

It is interesting to work with a shave ready razor; and I can still count to twenty!
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...s/Wapicrop.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/.../WapiYcrop.jpg
I thought I would try a balance..I never knew why but lately I think it may help in honing to have the blade balance along the shank. This blade in the original scales was not the easiest to get a full edge upon. It really made a difference in honing ease on this one.
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...pifivecrop.jpg
Here she be!
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...apionecrop.jpg
Thanks for looking!
~Richard

I like the shape of those scales. The satin finnish is classy.

Charlie

Beautiful work Richard and great design!

Beautiful work, Richard. But that's no surprise. Very handsome razor.

Yes, nice work. I'm interested to hear how much the balance changed the shave for you. I once added a quarter pound of brass to the butt of a fly rod to help the reel counter the rod's weight. Even that much extra mass made the whole system much easier to use, because I didn't have to expend any force to keep it level while I waited to see if the fish were feeling silly. Before that mod, I'd get carpal tunnel from using that outfit.

That also lent new meaning to the term "fighting butt."

Nice work!!! and a really classy color..

BTW watch that balance pic, you are liable to be put under the Dingleberry Tree with Gugi, Lee, and I :p (old story, pm me if ya want a laugh)

Very nice work, Sir! The curves kind of remind me of the fenders on late-70s Corvettes.

Thanks for the pleasant comments!
I shaved with her today and the difference is pronounced! The "static" (at rest) balance of the blade made honing a lot better for me and the "dynamic" (moving) balance of the lighter scales on the blade made it a very pleasant shaver.
The gun stock shape is not a new idea; they were available from many manufactures at the turn of the 20th century; Torrey, Ern, and Morley for sure. A Morley is shown.
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...IandMorley.jpg
~Richard
Thanks Glen for the PM!
~Richard

Very nice job, Richard! You have turned the utilitarian Wapi into a beauty!

Richard, very fine job. I also like the scale shape. Nice lines and great finish. Well done.

Stu

Nice job, the scales look great!

Good work Geezer, I really like the shape.

Jamie.