Bengall Restoration in progress

Hey all,

This is a Bengall I picked up the other day,

Original post is here. It was Bengall number 2 in the post.

It's my first attempt at cleaning a blade and I sliced my thumb pretty bad. I did not expect it to be so sharp after making efforts to really take the edge off!

Edit: blade was sanded with 120 grit sand paper, then 180, 400, 800, 1200, 1500 and finally 2000 and finishing with a light metal polish.


Attachment 168541Attachment 168540Attachment 168538Attachment 168537Attachment 168539
Anyway, the scales were broken so I had always intended to replace them. I am thinking I will use one of the 2 woods shown here.

I prefer the red but the grain is a bit more dense on the lighter coloured wood. The red is Iron Bark, the yellowish one is Grey Gum, both are hard wood Eucalypts. I took some scraps from a building site I'm working at (we no longer use these woods to build unless specifically requested; these are from the old house frame so they are very hard). I also grabbed some Merbau due its hardness and colour but I don't think it will be suitable due to the number of holes in the wood. I should have grabbed a photo but if you know the wood, you'll know what I mean.

Either way I will probably use the other wood to make the wedge for some contrast.

I just need to find a way to make some even thickness pieces so I can then make the scales... I could sand them back to an even thickness but that would be a lot of work.

I'll keep you posted.

And please let me know if you'd like some wood, there is plenty and I can post for you :)

I f you have or can borrow a japanese pull saw you should be able to rip some scales. I've done this successfully managing to maintain about 4mm thickness. After reading a tip I used the method of penciling a line at the thickness you need then sawing at an angle about an inch or so - turn the wod round and start at the opposite angle i.e. the same end, and repeat. You will soon see the two join and by rotating the side you are sawing you will maintain a decent thickness down the length of your stock. Another tip is to keep the stock length longer than you need so that you can griip it in a vice - rip down as far as need and then cut from the stock.

If possible I prefer using stock that is wide enoght to get both scales from - it's much easier to get consistent scale thickness doing this.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...too-thick.html
this thread addressed some of the solution that guys with small or no workshops have used to thin scale stock.

Hi Andrew and welcome to the group. Nice work on restoring the Bengall so far. I think it likes you cause it gave you a little love bite. :)
You have to take care sanding around the edge, and as you found out each change in grit adds a little something to the edge.
Have a look on the restoring threads for a sanding jig. They are simple enough to make and can save some nasty cuts.
I look forward to seeing the finished product.