Thread: What are you working on?

I agree. A file card is nice and as was said, the bigger the file, the better. I take the file and tap it on the concrete floor on occasion too. Sweep it up.
For me, I push the end of the wedge first with a finger or two on the end and thumb pushing.
Seems to keep/make the taper and make it more controllable. I think?

I like to shape lead wedges with a chasing hammer, then clean it up with a file. The lead is so thin at that point anyways usually peening the scales together takes care of small irregularities.

You could make a wedge jig.



Makes it a lot easier on your hands, and let's you control the pressure, to keep the proper angle to the wedge.

When filing aluminum and lead, chalk on the file helps to keep them from sticking. I keep a stick of thick sidewalk chalk, (Dollar Store) in the drawer with my files.

Also a Card File with a stiff brush, helps. Some have the wire side and the brush side.

For making wedges double stick tape the wedge to your finger, the foam backed tape works best, WD40 removes glue residue. Or tape to a wood paint stir stick and use a belt sander. Either way works.

Jelly, nice work, Polish your collars before you pin. Bolt on to a Dremel mop mandrel or use a bolt small washers and a couple of nuts. Then chuck in a drill or Dremel and run on a piece of 600 wet and dry then 1k, then a paper towel and metal polish or green greased compound until you get the finish you want. It will also make them nice and round.

It is much easier to do now, or you run the risk of burning or marring your scales on the buffer. I still buff the peen smooth and polish on the buffer but, make a mask with a piece of plastic, a thick water bottle, (HDPE) liquid soap container or aluminum soda can, with a hole punched in it the size of the collar to protect the scales.

The taper on the wedge should be about half the thickness of the thick side. You also want to make sure your scales are flat on the inside at the wedge end, (looks like the top scale may not be). If rounded you will have issues. I always leave the scales and wedge a bit long, file and sand smooth once pinned tight, then buff.

When I peen the wedge end, I use a small piece of rubber eraser as a wedge, (cuts easily with razor knife) to keep the scales in position. Once pinned, you should have gap on the pivot side of ¾ to 1 inch.

I peen one side of the pin, lightly in a Jacobs chuck, so you only have to fight one side.

Your thrust washers should be very thin, just smash a brass washer with a hammer and anvil. The thrust washers should not affect the position of the wedge.

Here is a Gold Bug I was working on. Got the scales finished today. Olivewood with CA. Before and after pics...

Nice save on the Gold-Bug, Jerry! Great shavers!

Man, you guys are spitting them out.
Back on my 4 F. Herder French-points finally.
2 to go, a short 22 and a full-figured 26....


I decided that since the scales would be more work than the blades, I would tackle them first.

If you want slick-black, there is no substitute, I suppose.
You gotta go old. This took a long time!


As Bakelite gets good and black, some work has been done.
Just like bone and ivory, scratches, names, initials, numbers are a pain to be rid of.
You think you have them gone and the buffer brings them back!
I reckon it is impossible to get some perfect, close will do.

Strange progression because I am lazy!
1500 micro-mesh, steel-wool, scotchbrite, damp Barkeep's Friend and a toothbrush.
Buffer and then Maas by hand. Austin's collars are awesome!



Now, as I finish the blades I can have instant gratification!

I know what your saying on finding names and numbers scratched in them. As soon as you hit it with the buffer they jump right out at you. Looking good Tom.

Here is one more Tom might find familiar. I was in need of some razor work and Mike helped me out by sending me a few. Sorry, Tom. I guess a couple of them were from you to Mike so they have been pasted around a bit. Wish this one had some info anywhere. Its an odd one for sure and now dressed in Rosewood...


For all I know its an RSO, but I will figure that out when it goes on the stones. I have a bag of blades to send ya in the future Tom. Not worth fixing kinda stuff.
I'm been fighting off the Flu for the last 3 days so I haven't been working, and Honing doesn't sound fun at all right now. So my "Needs Honed Cup" is getting full again.

Hope to be feeling better soon as I saw the Doc and got some drugs. My wife, Son, and Grandaughter all had it first and it lasted a solid week. I'm hoping to get it under control sooner. Watching TV and sleeping is not my thing.

Dang, Hope you get better, Jerry!

That blade is an enigma! Only the hones will tell!