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  • -keep all original and try to retain value (leaving the scales all warped)

    6 14.63%
  • -remove scales and try to unwarp them (chance of failure- i.e. ruining them)

    7 17.07%
  • -change scales to something custom in the same vein (color/pattern) as the originals

    14 34.15%
  • -change the scales to something custom but very exotic and valuable

    14 34.15%
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  1. #1
    The Razor Whisperer Philadelph's Avatar
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    Default Opinion- what to do about scales...

    So I want people's opinion here-

    Would you or would you not change the scales in this case...

    Rare razor. Scales are kind of part of the design- not shape or anything, but pattern. They are also cheap thin plastic/celluloid or whatever but in a rare pattern I suppose. Now the razor is very valuable as eBay (and what I gave in return for it outside of eBay) have dictated. It is currently all original which I believe makes it that valuable. In a way.

    The problem is those thin cheap scales are all warped. Because of this I can't tighten the pins too much or the razor will surely close way into the scales when shut (they currently veer that way). So the razor is looser than I would want in the scales. I have now honed the razor so it is ultra sharp, however, I need to use great caution when both opening and closing it so as not to hit the scales. I don't plan on selling the razor any time soon IF ever! What would you do if you were me?

    -keep all original and try to retain value (leaving the scales all warped)
    -remove scales and try to unwarp them (chance of failure- i.e. ruining them)
    -change scales to something custom in the same vein as the originals
    -change the scales to something very exotic and valuable

    I'm really torn here. Help a brother out.

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Default

    Dear Philadelph,

    While I am sympathetic to your dilemma, it would seem that your question cannot cannot be satifactorily answered as you are no longer doing restorations. This appears to be a restorative enterprise and therefore is a moot issue.

    Sorry, I'd like to be able to provide better counsel.


  3. #3
    The Razor Whisperer Philadelph's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bruce View Post
    While I am sympathetic to your dilemma, it would seem that your question cannot cannot be satifactorily answered as you are no longer doing restorations. This appears to be a restorative enterprise and therefore is a moot issue.

    Sorry, I'd like to be able to provide better counsel.
    It's my own razor!!! lol I can restore my own even if I'm not doing other people's!!!

    It's ok Bruce, I'll just put you at the bottom of the list for when I have any customs available...

  4. #4
    Senior Member mrbhagwan's Avatar
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    Default

    It sounds like you intend to shave with this razor. In that case, I'd replace the scales with something as close to the originals as I could manufacture (and having seen your work, I'm sure you could do a great job of that).

    I'd rather risk losing the scales, than nicking or chipping the blade.

    Keep the originals as a reference. Who knows - the way you are perfecting your hobby, your replacements may make the razor even more valuable one day!

    PS: Does this move me to the top of the customs list?

  5. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth ChrisL's Avatar
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    Default A dilema to be sure..........

    The main factor here is that you've stated that the probability that you'll sell this razor is nil or close to nil. If you really never change your mind on that and you're firm on keeping it for SHAVING and for yourself, then other than providing YOU pleasure from looking at it's original aesthetics, why wouldn't you rescale it to avoid any future damage to the blade?

    Either you love the original look of this razor and would be less satisfied personally if you rescales, or part of you DOES want to retain its value at the highest possible level for a future sale.

    If you rescaled and retain the original scales, at worst, in the future you could always repin it and sell it on Ebay. There's at least one very well known well paid Ebay razor seller that repins at least some (I would assume probably most) of his razors but does NOT disclose that in his listings giving IMO, the impression that his razors are original when they're not. Given your experience now, Alex, I would find a listing from you stating that a razor was professionally repinned as accurate and probably would not decrease the value dramatically if you repinned very well.

    Chris L
    "Blues fallin' down like hail." Robert Johnson
    "Aw, Pretty Boy, can't you show me nuthin but surrender?" Patti Smith

  6. #6
    Senior Member xChris's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris L View Post
    The main factor here is that you've stated that the probability that you'll sell this razor is nil or close to nil. If you really never change your mind on that and you're firm on keeping it for SHAVING and for yourself, then other than providing YOU pleasure from looking at it's original aesthetics, why wouldn't you rescale it to avoid any future damage to the blade?

    Either you love the original look of this razor and would be less satisfied personally if you rescales, or part of you DOES want to retain its value at the highest possible level for a future sale.

    If you rescaled and retain the original scales, at worst, in the future you could always repin it and sell it on Ebay. There's at least one very well known well paid Ebay razor seller that repins at least some (I would assume probably most) of his razors but does NOT disclose that in his listings giving IMO, the impression that his razors are original when they're not. Given your experience now, Alex, I would find a listing from you stating that a razor was professionally repinned as accurate and probably would not decrease the value dramatically if you repinned very well.

    Chris L
    Agreed.

    You have to determine what your original motivation(s) was for owning this razor. From there, you should be able to figue out the course of action to take.

  7. #7
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    I voted to leave as is but we don't know what the razor is. If you were to post a photo I might have voted to remove and try to straighten the scales. How much difference would there be in value between original and custom scales if you were unable to straighten them ? I bet it is a Reaper
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  8. #8
    Senior Member jwoods's Avatar
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    with your skills at making custom scales why dont you try to keep the same size and shape in linen micarta, that syuff looks fantastic, i remember one customer had you make a set out of it and he wanted to retain the original look you could do the same for yours too

  9. #9
    The Razor Whisperer Philadelph's Avatar
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    Default The razor in question...

    Quote Originally Posted by JimmyH-AD View Post
    I voted to leave as is but we don't know what the razor is. If you were to post a photo...
    Well Jimmy, it is one very close to you! I in fact got this razor from Jimmy in a big trade lol. The scales on these Case draw cuts were always striped like this with a matching tang as far as I've seen. It just worries me to shave with/hold such a nice razor with scales warped to the point where it doesn't really STAY closed if turned over, etc. One scaling option that might take some work is to use the material as seen in the second razor and taper it off in a fashion to duplicate lines. I don't know if I could pull it off or not, I'd have to try. Other than that, I was thinking about that Paua but don't know how it would look with the tang covered in stripes. Anyway, I do value Jimmy's opinion since it came from his hands. You may or may not be able to tell from my poor pics, but the scales on this razor in question are not in the best condition that I have seen on these razors. Part of my whole thing with razors is that I prefer durability and stability as I use all razors that I own/restore/make/keep that are in shape enough to do so.
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  10. #10
    Senior Member iron maiden's Avatar
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    Alex...I say, get rid of the lousy original scales and go all out!!!!!!

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