Restoring and honing old straight

Hello everyone.

I'm restoring this old straight. There's no markings what so ever on the blade and I think it's a blade produced by a local blacksmith I Denmark around 1850-1900.

The steel however is very good quality and very hard.

The problem I run in to is regarding the edge of blade. It's lifting from the surface on the top of blade, as seen in the picture.

I think it's intentionally, so I would like to keep it that way. But how do I hone it?

Should I just lift it on the heel, when I have to hone the top? Is there a special Technique? Any help or advice would be helpfull.

In the meantime I will make some new scales, it's always the best part :-)

I've added pictures from the restoring progress. I'll upload new ones then finished.

Yours kindly

Kristian

gssixgun Honing a Smiling Wedge part 1.wmv - YouTube

i think this is the series you need

I Will sure try this

theres 3 parts. the next videos should appear on the right under the suggested videos

The important take away from those vids is that the edge has to move equally and evenly across the stone.. PERIOD :)

How you have to manipulate the razor to accomplish that is what we fondly call "Honing Gymnastics" :p

It will be a nice challenge. In the meantime I'm trying to find the right material for the scales. I've cut myself twice so far polishing the blade, so I think deep red scales will suit the old "devil" :)

man i cant believe you would of got rid of them scales:(:(:(

they look in perfect nick all they needed was oiling and they have some mans initials from the 1800's? engraved, what a piece of history. i would have paid good money just for them

The scales are just removed. You can have them if you want for free. You only have to pay the shipping.

But really I think you're joking :-)

As a funny history in Danish razors... When we started to make razors in Denmark we needed good steel. It wasn't easy to get around, so the makers started to take apart old Ford T cars. They used the springs from the cars in must production from around 1930.

The last razor maker stopped production I Denmark around 1960. Then the Gilletes ruled everything. Only a few blacksmith continued production but that soon died out.

After the war, we were liberated by the Americans and our economy was in ruin by the German occupation. We had a lot of Marshall-help and loved everything from the states. Even today we follow Americans in wars and politics....

I've restored a couple of the Ford-razors, but that steel is different from the this one. The steel here is better and the blade is clearly handmade.

I always keep everything from the razor. Even the old scales and blades to rusted for repair. I try to stop corrosion and keep them as a relic.

Perhaps one day when my skills are greater I can repair them - Who knows ?

I agree scales look completely saveable, the bite on the pivot end can be filled with colored (sanding dust from scales) epoxy, sanded and buffed.

I would fill the pivot hole on the razor with a 1/16 in id tube set in epoxy for a nice tight pivot pin.

Love that smiling blade, take your time honing and you will get the hang of the smile honing rock. It kind of like a Texas 2 step…but different.

Nice project, great save.

thanks for the kind offer Kristian, but just soak the scales in some oil to replenish them and i really think you should put them back on the original blade

Hmmm? I really think the old scales are horrible. But I'll give it a shot and clean them up. Then I'll try both the new one and the old on.

There is plenty material to restore the scales. They are roughly made with material the smith had at hand. I know these scales are the classic form of the time, but I think new scales in more masculine lines would suit the blade better.

I'll try both and the best thing about that is the restore will take longer time :-)

Hello.

I finished the restore of the old blacksmith razor from Denmark. I gave up the old scales (sorry folks, but the age had taken hard on it.). Since I had to make new ones I decided to make them in Danish wood. The scales are made of Thuja root, and the black spot is bog-wood.

I decided to make a bold form on the scales, to better match the Blacksmith blade.

The result is rather great I think. Tomorrow I will try to shave with it :-)

Most razors I restore are meant to be used in daily shaving. This one will be used in my personal collection.

This hobby means 2 things for me, the pleasure of shaving and the pleasure of bringing old straights to live again.

Hope you enjoin the pictures :-)