Thread: Bengall Straight Razor

I think the scales are plastic. Why not add liquid soap to water and fill a glass with this.

Soak only the scales, keep it there for an hour or less, and you probably have clean scales.

Do not soak the scales. Over the years they have dried and any moisture will get into them.

The earlier models were a mixture of horn and resin - no matter what anyone tells you.

All you need is very fine sandpaper or 0000 grade steel wool - you dont to re-shape them, just to make the surface even - it will look a matte colour when you have finished, you could perhaps enhance this with a bit of micro mesh.

Lastly polish them with tripoli paste - on a loose, soft grinding wheel is best, then finish with a wipe down with linseed oil or other oil. Left overnight and buffed in the morning, they will look like black glass.

Regards,
Neil

Neil, I presume I can do all of this with the blade still "attached"? Also I use the same sandpaper or steel wool to take any pitting or marks off of the blade correct? Will semi chrome work in place of tripoli paste? Sorry for all of the questions ....

Yes, you want 600 or 800 and 1000 - for a very fine finish.

Not sure about semi chrome - if you go right up to 1000 grit paper, it might well do it, especially if wiped down with oil and left for 24 hrs before buffing.

Any gunge can be removed from between the scales using those those wooden sticks ladies file their nails with. I have used them with just the sandpaper on them (as they come) to file hard deposits, you can also wrap a bit of fabric round then to make a good tight fit, and either wet the fabric and/or put some some wax on it to make the inner surfaces shine.

Regards,
Neil

So I have acquired both 600 and 1500 grit sandpaper... waiting on the razor ...

Start with the fine stuff. Might work out just fine. Maas and other polishes work well for me on those. Would be the ticket for the blade as well, I think! In line with Neil's advise, I like to smash a q-tip with a hammer and apply polish, go in between the scales. Go light before going heavy. You may be pleasantly rewarded! You can always sand after trying, if needed. Lotsa work! Bengalls are great!

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Do not soak the scales. Over the years they have dried and any moisture will get into them...snip...
Lastly polish them with tripoli paste - on a loose, soft grinding wheel is best, then finish with a wipe down with linseed oil or other oil. Left overnight and buffed in the morning, they will look like black glass.
Regards,
Neil

Here we would say buffing wheel or you might call it a buffing mop of cotton or other fiber. Lightly charged with compound. Tripoli is amongst the best for luster on natural materials. No a hard polish at all but a sheen.
~Richard
PS, a pipe leaner is great for between the scales work and is thin and flexible enough to not crack most scales.

I was just planning on using a microfiber cloth, also is this correct? Dico® Tripoli Buffing Compound (531-Tc6) - Buffing Compound - Ace Hardware

Originally Posted by dmgc7d

I was just planning on using a microfiber cloth, also is this correct? Dico® Tripoli Buffing Compound (531-Tc6) - Buffing Compound - Ace Hardware

Yes, it has pumice in it. Use a very loose buffer wheel and very little pressure after you have sanded to at least 1K or even better 2K.
~Richard
Here are common cheap tools that I have used for a few years:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...storation.html

I have used pumice powder from the hardware store by hand with a bit of liquid soap to achieve a nice finish.

Originally Posted by Geezer

Yes, it has pumice in it. Use a very loose buffer wheel and very little pressure after you have sanded to at least 1K or even better 2K.
~Richard
Here are common cheap tools that I have used for a few years:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...storation.html

Would just buffing by hand not suffice? I sadly do not have a buffing wheel...