Identifying Grandfather's (french?) razor

Hi,
I'm pretty new to these forums although I've been lurking obsessively for a little while now.

I recently picked up my grandfather's razor, he was French and bought this one in France probably in the 1920's or so.
It's in surprisingly good condition, with a nice bronze? inlay on the front scale and no pitting and little staining on the blade. The blade is about 11/16th.
Unfortunately, the front scale is slightly warped.
The back pin was replaced, I see scuff marks and the pin is different and uglier.

On the tang, I can clearly distinguish Kab or Kah and what appears after would seem maybe like Kabran or Kabram but it's very faint.

The pictures should say the rest.

I would love to restore this razor, I'm not quite sure as to how to do it. I'd have to unpin in, there is lots in the FAQ about this. To unwarp the scales, should I use the boiling water trick as described in the FAQ? How would I unwarp them once they were heated? Do I press them to flatten? Given that the inlay is on the back of the warped scales, I'm sure it complicates the process too.
What about general polishing/cleaning up? MAAS is all that's used?
Where can I buy pins to replace once I take it apart?

Thanks a lot for the help!
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There are two or three parts of the inlay which are slightly lifted off the scale. How can I fix this?
Attachment 55669

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I put some oil on the blade to keep it from rusting further which on the pics look like pitting. It's not though. The stains are there though. MAAS?

If it weren't an heirloom piece, it wouldn't be worth the trouble IMHO.

If it were mine I would look for a restorer that does a lot of work with horn, and has the ability to transfer the inlay (which I believe is brass). (basically get rid of the current scales, and transfer the inlay to some black horn, or even flat black acrylic). You could try looking in the member services for such a person. (and, there are people out there that can do it!)

If you really want to do it yourself, I suggest re-posting this in the workshop, and you'll get a lot of good advice about how to make it happen.

Good luck!

From the angle of the photo of the blade it's hard to tell but I think with some work the blade can be fixed up. The scales I think are toast. between the warping and the wear I don't think it's worth the work. The inlay can be transferred but it's finicky work. The entire job is not for a beginner. Check our vendors and the classifieds for someone who will do a proper job or just put it aside until you have the skills to do it yourself.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The scales I think are toast. between the warping and the wear I don't think it's worth the work.

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Probably toast? Certainly.

Not worth the work? Debatable.

Because it's a family heirloom, and really beautiful scroll work, I'd be tempted to send it off to one of the pros around here to see what they can do.

At some point it's less about the financial value of the thing, and more about the history, and that's tough to put a price tag on.

However, anyone who has to ask how to fix those scales or the inlay, is WAY under-qualified to even try. I know I wouldn't.

Probably a Kabrand.

Regards,
Neil

The blade is definately restorable. My question to you is does the blade enter the scales when closing without the fear of hitting the scales with the edge? If so, just clean the razor up with Maas and USE IT as it is. Even if you had to close the razor carefully I wouldnt do much to it simply because it is old and an heirloom. I only wish I had a old razor of my grandfathers... If I did, I'd just want to hone it up and shave with it just as it is...old and banged up after a long life...just like grand-dad.

The problem with old razors like that, is the scales become brittle with age. Yours already has cracking around the pivot pin. I doubt they (the scales) can restored, and trying may result in breaking them. Do not boil them. You can clean up the blade a bit with MAAS, As far as the scales go, I'd leave them alone, if it's an heirloom piece. You be taking a chance. Any restorer will tell you the same. My two cents.