Thread: Masonic Joseph Elliot with silver inlay. How should I clean this?

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

DO NOT DO ANYTHING TO THAT RAZOR,(maybe have it pro honed at the least)
saddens me at times to see some resto projects members do,make it shiny like Chrome Make scales that are off the wall ugly and not of the proper period to the razor.
We have a responsibilty to preserve the great razors,many times doing less is more,JMO

I'm down with that. Strongly, at that!

Originally Posted by Siguy

Dremel food! Seriously, though, take it slow. Research a little cleanup. I've dremeled far cleaner

Dremal Food,go for it great advise

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

First, the inlay is probably not silver. Most of the old Sheffield scales like that use pewter or german silver/nickel silver (which, despite the names, contain no silver -- it's an alloy of copper and nickel).

I'd keep that one as it is. There's nothing to get in the way of honing it up and using it.

As for the design, that's an interesting one and marks a transition in the industry. It's extremely similar in layout and elements to the relatively common Wade & Butcher masonic razor. (By common, in this case I don't mean there are lots of them, only that among Masonic razors, that's the more typical one.) It's artwork that was taken from a woodcut or other die, and was most likely used in a book.

Before that style etch, the Masonic razors were typically done by hand with each element drawn on in acid-resist. That's what I mean about transition. Yours and the Wade & Butcher model were imprinted with a pre-made design. That suggests to me that these later designs were manufactured in some bulk and sold to lodges, where the earlier ones were likely made by special request or by local artists -- one-offs.

As someone with well and truly more than his fair share of Joseph Elliot razors, I'd never seen one with an etch like that. I'm sure, honed up, it'll treat you great!

Is not this metal inlay termed as 'coin silver'?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Is not this metal inlay termed as 'coin silver'?

Most of the "common" inlays/shields/medallions I've seen on razors felt like pewter to me.

Coin silver is a lower silver content than "Sterling"

Coin silver is 90% with copper. Sterling is 92.5% silver.

A better description;
EARLY AMERICAN COIN SILVER, A BRIEF HISTORY | eBay

Nickel silver has no silver in it at all. Figure that one out.

Actually, I was just about to soak it in bleach and ammonia over night....

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Dremal Food,go for it great advise

Originally Posted by cheddardan

Actually, I was just about to soak it bleach and ammonia over night....

Dan, do you have a swimming pool? Some of that chemical stuff will melt it into a convenient lump!

Great looking razor, I would like to have one like it for my collection as I am a past master and enjoy anything masonic related. I use a product called White Diamond, it is a metal polish that is not to abrasive and gets the oxidation off. I would try it on a small area first if you decide to use it. It can be bought at o'riley auto parts for around 15 bucks a bottle.

Originally Posted by bookdoctor

Great looking razor, I would like to have one like it for my collection as I am a past master and enjoy anything masonic related. I use a product called White Diamond, it is a metal polish that is not to abrasive and gets the oxidation off. I would try it on a small area first if you decide to use it. It can be bought at o'riley auto parts for around 15 bucks a bottle.

Hey Doc! Thank you for the input, I'll have to try and find that up here in the snow shed I'll give it a whirl on some other blades to get a feel for it.... Maybe I can find it online.....

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Dremal Food,go for it great advise

You did see the winky face indicating sarcasm, didn't you

Seriously, though, the dremel has its time and place.

Originally Posted by Siguy

You did see the winky face indicating sarcasm, didn't you

Seriously, though, the dremel has its time and place.

Sure did! It's all good..... If it wasn't for sarcasm I would be a very bored individual..... I know you may not be speaking directly to me (the reply with quote gave that away), but........