Thread: 21 Questions

Well I picked up my first restore this week a George Wostenholm & Sons Celebrated IXL, Washington Works Sheffield, I began making my own razors about a year ago and have really got the straight razor bug. So this week I picked this one off of ebay for what I thought seemed to be a good price. The biggest issue I've found since I received it is the uneven toe/heel wear. Seems someone got a bit heavy on the toe while honing at some point. No major rust, some pretty good patina, it looks as though this guy has spent alot of time closed. So now for the questions...

I've done some research but wanted to know what you guys thought...
How do I figure out how old this razor is?
I'm assuming it is a recently made one, the scales seem to be the original ones, and are in very good shape?
I feel like I should keep the original scales but at the same time I just don't see any appeal in these and am thinking about making new ones, so what process do you guys use in deciding on what type of scales to do?
I can already feel some slop in the pivot, I've tried to search for some good tubing to do the restore on the pivot hole but where do you guys get your tubing for this? Any tricks?
What is the best way to fix the wear along the toe? Bread knife it until I can get a decent balance along the heel?

I'm used to starting things from scratch so this bringing things back from being damaged is somewhat new to me, any help is appreciated.




Thanks!

A couple of thoughts on your questions. I'm not sure I would "fix" the uneven honing. I have been on a long run of old Sheffield restores and have been trying to get my scales as close to the original size shape and material as I can, which is horn in my case. I really like the horn scales. Perhaps you could save those scales and sell or trade them down the road as there is nothing wrong with them. I think I would be inclined to use bone on that razor. Maybe I'm just projecting because that is the next ones I want to make. Remote control vehicle and modeling shops is a good source for rod and tubing for making pins and bushings. You can also go to jewelry supply shops for supplies. I believe 14ga wire is 1/16" or very close to it. There is a sticky in the workshop forum on micro fasteners and some other stuff. There is such a large selection of scale material available it is hard to decide where to go. A lot is about preferences.

I have rods and washers and such for making pins, it's just the tubing for the restoration part I don't have. I definitely won't toss the scales, but they just aren't for me I think. I'm really trying to decide which route to go with the material, like you said there are so many options it's hard to decide.

the list of possible scale materials goes on and on, in the end the ones that impress me the most are bone, horn and sometimes wood. There are some really nice ivory pieces that have been done. The ivory is a little pricey so faux ivory is probably a better choice. There have been very few that I have seen in any of the "plastics" that have made me smile. The last tubing I bought I got at a remote control model place. I live in the middle of nowhere so tend to grab stuff when I travel.

I get brass tubing from my local hardware store. I think it is an Ace franchise. Good luck.

Almost any hobby shop will carry K & S Precision Metals that have a full range of tubing, each size fitting into the next larger and one that fits the 16th rod.

Well, I'm an introverted internet child so in turn I don't enjoy shopping unless it's on the internet lol. Looks like I'm going to have to start looking for a hobby shop, I do beleive there is an ACE near me as well, have to check that out. Thanks All

Hmmmm, almost a smiley face Ask Lynn or Don they are the experts.