Thread: What do you enjoy the most?

Just curious; what part of the restoration process do you enjoy (or dislike) the most? Restoring blades? Restoring scales? Making scales? Using horn, wood, G10? How about the details: Domed washers, lined spacers?

I would never buy a resto project unless it was very minor (silk purse, sows ear type stuff)
I do like making scales for my razors to suit my tastes but they have to be near perfect blades from the gitgo.

My favorite part is the final pinning after everything is mocked up. Seeing it all come together is when I get excited. Until then, it's just parts. And I love polishing horn but hate the smell and slime when sanding it.

my favorite part of a restore is the work on the blade. I gravitate towards the rusted junk. sometimes im amazed and astounded at what lies beneath the rust and pitting and what can be done to save them! in the vast majority of cases youd never know looking at the result that it was such an abused and neglected razor, and its always a joy knowing they are brought back as daily shavers.

I hate crooked blades. That is the tang is crooked. Don't see it usually until final mock up. I had one recently that was twisted as well as bent, ugh.

Making a blade most would pass on into a beauty it was before.

I would have to say brining an old blade back from the brink of death, but most often they are deep cleanings. I wish I knew more about how to find out what a razor would have looked like as original. Blade finish, washer type and size and of course scale material. However there were no high resolution pictures in the day that most were made. There are those that frequent here that are very much in the know on these questions.

Going over the steel and looking for whatever someone else did. I hope they gave it their best shot. Usually rigged to sell. Hey RezDog... wheres those green hones? Believe it or not there are Elders here too in Salinas CA. If you find something..gotta check what they think. I respect that. Maybe I should put it in found it over there. The slate here is FULL of inclusions and occlusions. Gas trapped in the matrix. I have found smooothe slate but full of inclusions. The garnet here is found down at Garrapata beach. Its a small drive to get there but people hammer it looking for jade.

It's hard to say. I enjoy sanding blades to bring back some shine and I also really like to do the final pinning to bring it all together. Actually unpinning is fun too because you have access to everything and can see inside in a way.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I've only been at this for around 6 months, and I haven't figured out which part I like best. I like it all. My least favorite thing to do is hand sanding, but I don't think there's any way to avoid it. Still trying to figure out how to get that perfectly smooth finish on a blade without 10+ hours of hand sanding. Any suggestions would be very welcome.

I do love making scales. Wood, horn, acrylic, G10, it's all fun. I am in awe of the craftsmanship I see in this forum. Thanks for all the inspiration and encouragement.