Thread: My New Acquisitions

+1 to what Carl said (patina lovers of the world unite!)

Before you decide *anything* about that W&B I would suggest getting yourself some 100% neatsfoot oil, cleaning all the accumulated gunk from those scales, and then giving them a nice long soak in the oil. You may be surprised how good they look after that.

Nice finds

In my opinion I would not rescale a vintage razor just for the sake of rescaling it, they will have character, though at least you were considering something pretty, as long as you are sure of the ivorys source. If you had said acrylic I would definately have said not to, in my opinion a fast way to make a razor look poo.
I guess they would be fine as a cheap way to make a cheap blade useable again, but a definate shameon something really old.
I should point out that I do have a razor (50%) of my collection that has plastic scales, that are probably new, it was a cheappie second razor, my cheappie first razor has bone or ivory scales, I enjoy using the bone scaled one much more from a tactile perspective, despite the fact the scales are quite badly cracked aaround the pivot I won't change them until they actually break, then I will be sad.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

That would be a hard decision, especially since they do look nice and old. I love the fact that you consider that; a lot of people would have had the poor thing all shiny looking and dressed in plastic by now.

I wonder how much of that beautiful patina you could retain; all of it? Or is it already gone? Have you taken the scales off? I wonder how they'd clean up? If they look too tacky, BONE scales would look nice, I'd like to do my Bengall wedge in bone scales one day...

I have cleaned it up quite a bit, using sandpaper to remove a lot of it. Then hit it with some Mothers polish. Polished the scales as well. It looks a lot better now, IMO. Some pitting, though, and other marks that give it character (I think) are remaining. I don't really want to do much more to it, as I'd hate to take off too much steel and ruin the wedge. Plus, if I keep the scales, I don't want the blade to not match them by looking too new and shiny, haha. I am a man who likes things to be original, so I'm sort of leaning towards keeping them. They are just full of chips and whatnot, but they are very tight and it feels good to hold. My main issue right now is I'd like to remove the rust at the pivot point, but don't want to ruin the scales by removing them...

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

PS, there seems to be some little niggles in the edge, so I guess you'll have to remove a fair bit of steel. I'm no expert, but I'd tape the spine. And that looks like actual rust on the tail (i.e. orange), but I'd try and keep ALL that patina.

It's be fun to hone that toe, too, and try and get an edge all the way around the toe as good as the rest...

Have fun! That W&B looks like a great project, the pick of the lot I think...

Thanks, it's definitely my pick of the lot. I was extremely surprised when the lady showed it to me. My dream razor for almost a steal of a price? Couldn't believe it... As for honing, I'm definitely going to tape the spine. I've never honed a wedge, so this will definitely be a challenge. Any tips would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

+1 to what Carl said (patina lovers of the world unite!)

Before you decide *anything* about that W&B I would suggest getting yourself some 100% neatsfoot oil, cleaning all the accumulated gunk from those scales, and then giving them a nice long soak in the oil. You may be surprised how good they look after that.

Nice finds

I actually have some neatsfoot oil! Bought a big bottle of it off of Amazon to use on another Wade and Butcher's horn scales I had previously. I will be sure to do this within the next day or so. Thanks for the suggestion. Should bring some life back into them.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

In my opinion I would not rescale a vintage razor just for the sake of rescaling it, they will have character, though at least you were considering something pretty, as long as you are sure of the ivorys source. If you had said acrylic I would definately have said not to, in my opinion a fast way to make a razor look poo.
I guess they would be fine as a cheap way to make a cheap blade useable again, but a definate shame.o. something really old.

Haha, I would never disgrace a razor of this magnitude with cheap scales! I feel like the only two ways to give it justice are nice ivory scales, or just keep it OG. After seeing these last few posts, I'm leaning towards keeping it as is, just cleaning it up a bit more.

Thanks guys!!!

Well it is your razor, if you wanted to turn it into an abomination who could stop you, but glad you are going classy or original, all those little chips and scratches would just seem right to me. Of course if the scales were beyond repair then so be it.

Yeah, screw it... I'm keeping it OG and going to use some of the money that it would have taken me to order the scales to instead purchase a Naniwa 12k to compliment my new Norton 4k/8k.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Well it is your razor, if you wanted to turn it into an abomination who could stop you...

So, no solid opinion, then?

+1 It's a find that ought to be honored as the historic piece it is.

Yeah, so long as no issues arise during restoration, why change it. It's still going to look very good for it's age.

I agree. I will take some more pics after I soak the scales in neatsfoot oil. Not only have you gentlemen saved me money, but you have also helped preserve a piece of history. Thanks again.

I will set the money aside for the Naniwa 12k after I learn a bit more on honing with the Norton 4k/8k.

Originally Posted by Chreees

I agree. I will take some more pics after I soak the scales in neatsfoot oil. Not only have you gentlemen saved me money, but you have also helped preserve a piece of history. Thanks again.

I will set the money aside for the Naniwa 12k after I learn a bit more on honing with the Norton 4k/8k.

Excellent.