A pair of stub tails to work on

Received these two blades this week.

The I Shaw blade came with crappy scales which I discarded.

The Wade and Butcher blade is in rough shape, but the scales are in great shape for their age. This blade and scales will be sitting in neetsfoot oil for the next month or so before I make any attempt to unpin the blade. Don't want to break or crack anything. I will also use these scales as a template in rescaling the I Shaw.

Attachment 339032

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I really like those scales on the Wade & Butcher. :)

Two in a week? I think I've got two stubtails total. Nice finds.

What was wrong with the Shaw scales? If they were original, they might be worth repairing. I've seen some crazy good repair work done on old horn.

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Originally Posted by randydance062449

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I really like those scales on the Wade & Butcher. :)

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And they look good for the age. Saw a set recently on the bay looked like swiss cheese.

I like the pitting on the W&B near the toe, you cannot buy that stuff anywhere..
What work will you do on the blades?

Nice pair btw.

The "scales" on the Shaw were some piece of copper pipe folded over the blade. I can do better.

Lots of sanding. Deep pitting both sides of the blade. May need help with a regrind.

The scales are my first priority. Really dried out, minor chipping on the edges, no delamination, and very little warpage.

I was wondering if a vacuum chamber would help with the process of rehydrating the horn scales?

It might, but that's something I don't have access to. I've done the long soak before. I'm in no hurry to work on this, lots of other blades to work on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randydance062449

I was wondering if a vacuum chamber would help with the process of rehydrating the horn scales?

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I think Mike puts the the scales/oil on something warm so the oil can soak in faster.
I don't know why a vacuum chamber wouldn't speed things up. If someone had a food vacuum sealer, that would probably do the trick since the scales are so thin.

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Originally Posted by ctjed

The "scales" on the Shaw were some piece of copper pipe folded over the blade. I can do better.

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I remember that one now. I kind of liked the improvised scales. They weren't gorgeous, but still.

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Originally Posted by JP5

I think Mike puts the scales/oil on something warm so the oil can soak in faster.
I don't know why a vacuum chamber wouldn't speed things up. If someone had a food vacuum sealer, that would probably do the trick since the scales are so thin.

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... and a Sous Vide to the rescue! :)

I just put them in a shallow container with a lid, with enough neatsfoot oil to cover the scales. Then place on a heater duct to warm the oil. Well...during winter, that is. Summer, I put um in a winder sill.