Thread: Antique Store Surprise

Went to a local antique store not really expecting anything, but he got some new stuff. Found my self a few razors and at $10 each I couldn't pass them up. I think he would have taken less, but I would have felt guilty cause I liked them. First one is a Wade & Butcher Celebrated 7/8. It is a shame cause looks like half of the etching is gone, but thats ok since it will be my biggest near wedge razor. Don't think I will be able to save one of the scales since the crack near the pivot is just waiting to break. Second razor is a Wade & Butcher 5/8 near wedge. I might be able to save the etching on this one. The black stuff on the blade isn't "Devil's Spit". I was able to scrap it off with my finger nail. The third razor is a 6/8 Ern Diamond Steel. This one I think will just need a good cleaning. I am happy should keep be busy for awhile. Sorry for the bad photos cause you can't really see any of the etchings, but I guess the gunk and grime doesn't help any.

Nice finds friend! Just about all the antique stores I have around me are the mall type, and the people running the places wont even call the owner of the small shops for a sale less than 100.00. Kind of sucks, cause there several razors that are really nice, but are overpriced. Oh well. Enjoy your finds!

I envy your luck, nice finds.

Wow thats awesome! I love the 7/8 W&B! What is Devil's Spit?

Devil's spit is black stuff on razors that is smooth and often looks like plain old patina or dirt, but turns out once you take it off there is deep pitting underneath it and there is always pitting under devil's spit. Have a look here
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...vils-spit.html

If the scales that are threatening to split are the pressed horn ones on that 7/8, it's pretty trivial to fix'em up with CA glue. If you're nervous about doing it I'd be happy to repair the scales for you for nothing but the cost of shipping. I've worked on scales like that before and I'm always looking for ones to practice on.

Some real sweet scores there, too!

Nice saves. Yea the crack on the 7/8 is pretty close to breaking. I wasn't sure if cracks in the pivot area were able to be saved. I will have to try and use CA.

CA glue and horn looooove each other very, very much.

I suggest carefully unpinning. Then you can gently wash the scales with a toothbrush and some dishwashing liquid, rinse them in hot water and let'em dry on a paper towel. Maybe use a hair drier, but be careful not to get them too hot. Heat warps horn. Once they're good and clean, just grab the break and snap it off. Then you can glue it with the CA, drill the hole back out and reassemble.

But yeah, you can even glue pivots with horn. It's extraordinarily forgiving material.

Two notes though. First, follow GSSixgun's advice and drill one size larger than 1/16th and second repin carefully. Both of those things are things you ought to be doing anyway though.

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

CA glue and horn looooove each other very, very much.

So you can actually glue a cracked/broken pivot with CA and it will tighten and hold ? I never knew, didn't think that could be done.

Nice score at the antique shop. I guess everyone who goes into that type of thing never thinks they will find anything and most don't. Kind of like panning for gold. Every once in awhile up pops a nugget.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

So you can actually glue a cracked/broken pivot with CA and it will tighten and hold ? I never knew, didn't think that could be done.

As long as the crack isn't hugely separated, but even with moderate separation I've gotten pivots glued using donor horn to fill in the gap and a lot of reshaping.