How do you know when to stop?

I have just gotten into some light restoration, honing, polishing, re-scaling/pinning. As I am initially working on my vintage razors I have been tempted to really tear them apart, find a resource for custom scales and go for mirror polish, etc. But, as I am working with them a little more, just start to see the beauty in leaving them with a little 'use/age' still on them.

Just wondering if there are any rules of thumb people use regarding blade/steel type type or brand to tell you whether or not to make a razor completely brand new again... Or if it is simply a 'feeling' you get when first assessing a razor.

The more wear on the blade the harder to make it look like new.
The hollower the grind the harder to make it look like new if the initial condition was not close to new as far as pitting and hone wear.
Mirror polishes on blades are not easy to get. Spotless mirror will take decent amount of work, and will require a buffer to achieve. For me the best look is the semi mirror that is produced in factory.

With experience the results get better and better also one can push further the limits of the restoration.

Everyone has their own tastes, and opinions. I like the mirror finish, but if achieving that looks to me like it's going to remove the manufacturers stamp or ruin any other etching I prefer to preserve that first and foremost. If while I am sanding the etch is nice and deep and holding, then I'll see how far I can push the steel as far as it's finish. For scales, I'll just let my imagination play; unless the original scales are in good shape. I just look at the razor until I decide what materials to use, then decide on the actual shape, and go from there.

You first have to remember that in all actuality you don't get to decide, you might have a plan but really the Razor decides how the restore progresses..

Here is a thread that might help to at least see the different levels


http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...storation.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

You first have to remember that in all actuality you don't get to decide, you might have a plan but really the Razor decides how the restore progresses..

Here is a thread that might help to at least see the different levels


http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...storation.html

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"Be the Blade." It's true, and harder to believe is that there are some that just need to be put away for awhile until they decide what they want done!(:-)

I'm liking the Zen angle/approach! And, it kinda makes sense from the little experience I've goten so far... One razor had broken weird-fixed scales and I ended up getting a set of scales that fit exactly and that project came together easily. Then, another razor I got locally from a gentleman in his 60's who told me it was his Grandfather's razor... I was really excited because of the history and thought I'd dive right in but when I looked at it I just felt I should clean her up, hone her and leave the patina exactly as it was. My last oops was a lesson where I was tired and should have walked away but kept messing with a razor that came in the mail and I broke one of the scales... Instead of being bummed I started to notice the file work on the spine and coming up with ideas for a custom job to hire someone to do.

Very interesting stuff and the way you all explain it takes a lot of the stress outta the thing... My last attempt at a new Hobby was classic Honda Choppers and the learning curve was intense... I kept getting information that I should come up with a 'concept' and in my head it never worked out... I just kept thinking "Chopper- VvRrOoMm!" and could never wrap my head around the artistic concept so eventually moved on and found homes for a garage full of stuff. Razors, in comparison have been a little less confusing and more intuitive; so far that is.

I just wanted to make sure there were no super obvious things to avoid.

Thanks for the link and the info! :D