Ebay rescue (finally got lucky)

I have bought a few things on the bay and never really got lucky until now.
I grabbed this lot of 4 razors for $41 plus shipping and was hoping that the top razor would have some potential to be restored - the others would just be a bonus. Here is the ebay pic:

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...P/restore1.jpg

The sales description on the bay did not make any mention of the width of the blade, it just said the usual "shows some wear due to age"...
Well, they arrived yesterday and I am pretty happy with what I got. It's stamped on the tang with A.Leon (something I cannot read) and Sheffield. This thing is a monster! It's a full wedge and larger than an inch in blade width, close to 1&1/8. Anyone else have one of these or know anything about them? Here's a couple of dodgy mobile pics with a pen for scale:

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...009/SRP/1a.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...009/SRP/1b.jpg

The blade has no visible chips and 2 tiny spots of surface rust. The rest of the markings looks to be oil staining(??). The scales are shot and literally falling apart and will need replacing so it's time for me to try an Aussie restorer out I think....

Any suggestions on what scale material to use to balance out the weight of the blade - it is heavier than any other blade I own?

I was watchin those on the bay but didn't bid, ended up buying a Henckels which I've been wanting. Boy I'll say that is one FAT BLADE !!!!! That will end up being a great razor, nice score there Muscles ! the second looks like it has potential to.

Nice looking blade. Is should come up nicely once restored. The only Leon I know of is a French maker called Leon Pelleray.

Turns out the tang is stamped:

A.Leon
No.190 Solley St
Sheffield

Made by Abraham Leon a cutler at that address....

Anyway, I decided to have a go at hand sanding this and after two hours of 80Grit it has come along way.... still a bit more to go before I'll move to 120.

Before:

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...009/SRP/1e.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...009/SRP/1d.jpg

And now:

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/SRP/80g1.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/SRP/80g2.jpg

NICE SCORE, and its looking good already.
As far as scale material goes, I dont have a lot of experience with the big blades, but I think weather you go with horn or acrylic or whatever your just going to have to get the hang of a slightly blade heavy set-up. I kind of like it like that, feels like the blade is doing all the work. I could be wrong though, Ive never rescaled a monster like that.
Grant

Quote:

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Originally Posted by baldy

NICE SCORE, and its looking good already.

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Thank you, I am still smiling about it...

Quote:

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Ive never rescaled a monster like that.
Grant

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Would you like to?

These are among the good things in life indeed! I like the more obscure cutlers and you have found a real (Big) gem there! Enjoy it!

You took a chance and it payed off BIG! Congratulations. It is an awesome looker and I hope it hones up to be a good shaver too-seems likely with the good condition of the edge.

Wow, looks great! How do the rest of the blades look? Didn't seem that bad from the ebay pics.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jcsixx

Wow, looks great! How do the rest of the blades look? Didn't seem that bad from the ebay pics.

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The rest aren't in too bad shape, but I didn't look too closely as I have been preoccupied with this one and thinking about what I should do to it. I will post some pics of the others when I get home from work...